Can we have individual volume controls for each app please?

Hmm...

It is a terrible idea to and poor design to require a user to go to an OS control panel to change the volume for that app.

Agreed. But, I haven't seen anyone here saying that a user should be required to go to an OS control panel to change the volume for that app. My understanding of this thread is that those who agree are saying that the option should be available (if not from the app itself, possibly from at the OS level). From what I can tell, it is a fair ask. Feel free to correct me if I have misunderstood.

If you are confused now, you would really be confused if each app controlled their volume, then the OS also controlled the volume of each app, and you also had a global volume setting to control the volume of all apps.

What is your basis for this claim that it would be confusing, or, what exactly would you find confusing about that experience?

Ah, I see. Thank you - I think I can envision the experience that you have in mind. I also think that your concern - users being confused - is quite valid and very customer focused.

What I'm gathering is that you are describing a specific implementation of the feature, "have individual volume controls for each app", based on how you think it might work. Also, in your opinion, that implementation would be confusing for users (I see your point here as well). Alas, that is only one of the ways in which this feature could be implemented. There may be many others, that we aren't considering at this time, that you or the majority of other users would not find confusing.

We should be careful to not conflate the feature and an implementation of the feature. An implementation of an idea being problematic does not automatically mean that the idea itself was problematic. It may simply mean we have more work to do in order to find an implementation that meets all the constraints under consideration.

That is where you would expect to change the volume of an app.

I like this note as well. Still, there was also a time when users expected phones to have a physical keypad. A certain company blew that idea out of the water and changed the world in the process. Sometimes the right thing to do is exactly what the user expects. And still sometimes, you have to innovate and break the status quo. In all cases, I think each path should be carefully explored with adequate user research (as much as time and finances will allow) before a judgement is made as to what is feasible.

definitely should be

FYI. This is a basic feature on Windows 11. MacOS should have same

This! I switched to Mac circa 2013 and my old Dell had this feature. As someone said, it should be BASIC! It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to install an app.

The reason is "Apple knows best"

Any app is capable of managing volume controls themselves and can provide the setting to control the volume level for their app. Some apps do that, but most just inherit the system settings for volume. In addition to providing feedback to Apple, you can also inquire with the developer of an app requesting the feature. It is not difficult for them to implement and they can easily update their app with that feature.

Apple does this with their Music app. After you set the volume level in the app, it will remain that way even if you close the app or restart your phone.

mrpundir wrote:

FYI. This is a basic feature on Windows 11. MacOS should have same

And let see how that is working out for them over at the Microsoft Support forums with just these examples.

• https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/system-volume-not-controlling-apps-other-than-mute/87c47e97-3975-4be6-92e0-1e97dcb744b5
• https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/individual-app-volume-level-is-overwriting-the/672333d5-6b39-44cd-9669-765e185b56ce
• https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-11-volume-control-problem/fea53a31-30bc-4ff7-8df0-38061d5801e0
• https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-do-i-turn-down-the-volume-of-specific-apps-on/ee9d8ade-13e6-4b5e-9b8d-1a2b668aafcf

Apps such as Apple TV and Music already have this where you can change the volume within the app and that level is saved between uses. Any developer is able to do that with their app as well and requires very little effort. The beauty of this approach is that you actually change the volume level in the app where it makes sense. There is no need for a global setting on the OS to manage each app, when you should be doing it when you are using the app. And this approach actually works without creating any confusion.

If you are not able to control the volume of an app, then contact the Developer, and they can easily add that feature if they find it necessary. If the app is an Apple app, then send Feedback here:

Product Feedback - Apple

There exist third party applications that implement this. As has been said multiple times here, we have no power to change how the OS works, but developers have created apps that do what you are requiring. Maybe Apple decides to do this, maybe not, but in the meantime if this feature is important, you can get it - and for free...

"BackgroundMusic" is free and open source.

RogueAmoeba (a long time mac developer company specialized in audio) has "SoundSource", a paid application.

I am sure there are options.