Volume+ — real per-app volume control for macOS.
A menu bar utility that gives every app its own volume slider — including a 200% boost — built directly on Apple's low-level Core Audio Process Tap API.
The problem / idea
macOS only offers one system-wide volume control, so there's no easy way to turn down one noisy app while keeping music or a call at full volume. Volume+ fixes that with real per-app control, not a workaround.
My role
Solo design and development, including researching and implementing Apple's newer Core Audio Process Tap API from the ground up.
Design & development work
Built as a plain AppKit app rather than a SwiftUI lifecycle app, for full control over a lightweight menu bar presence. Features include:
- Per-app sliders with up to 200% volume boost
- A live equalizer visualization
- Software master volume for devices with fixed hardware output
- Keyboard volume key interception and Bluetooth device auto-switching
- Launch-at-login, app icon theming and a fully on-device privacy model
Technology
Outcome & current status
Notarized and distributed as a Developer ID-signed direct download — the Process Tap API isn't compatible with Mac App Store sandboxing, so this ships outside the App Store by design.
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