How to Make Apple Music Louder on iPhone, PC, Mac, and in Your Car

Apple Music delivers high-quality audio, but the volume can sometimes feel lower than expected, even when your device’s speakers or headphones work perfectly elsewhere. If you’re wondering how to make Apple Music louder, there are several ways to boost your listening experience without sacrificing sound quality. This guide covers practical solutions using built-in Apple Music and device settings, software-based audio enhancements, and hardware adjustments. We’ll also cover ways to make Apple Music louder in your car.

These methods of boosting Apple Music work across iPhone, Android, Mac, or Windows, whether the sound is low on Bluetooth headphones, built-in speakers, or both. Some fixes involve adjusting your device’s settings, while others apply directly to the Apple Music app. We’ll cover them and they should help you get the audio level you’re actually want.

Way 1. Turn up Volume on Apple Music App

Apple Music has its own volume setting when you’re listening on the desktop. Even if your system volume is maxed out, the app’s internal slider might still be low, say as low as 30%, which can make your music sound quieter than it should. The fix is simple and here are the steps.

On Apple Music for macOS or the web app, when a track is playing:

• Look for the volume slider beside the Now Playing controls. Slide it all the way to the right to raise it fully.

On the Windows app, click the speaker icon at the top right to reveal the volume control. Once it appears, you can adjust it to the level you want.

Way 2. Increase Device Volume

Before moving into deeper settings, it’s also worth checking your device volume.

This is especially important before you adjust crucial features or disable sound limits. So, let’s quickly make sure your volume is set correctly on whichever device you’re using.

For iPhone

You can simply press the Volume Up button on the side until the sound reaches your preferred level. Or, you can also say something like “Hey Siri, increase the volume by 30%”.

Alternatively, you can open the Control Center and drag the volume bar upward to increase the output manually. This is especially useful when you’re wearing non-Apple Bluetooth headphones.

And if you’re using AirPods and notice uneven audio: one side is quieter than the other, go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and adjust the Balance slider until the left and right channels are equal.

For Android

On Android, pressing the side volume button will bring up multiple sliders, for ringtone, media, notifications, and sometimes Bluetooth separately.

Make sure you’re adjusting the media (or Bluetooth volume), not just the ringtone. Slide the volume to the top to get the best output while using Apple Music.

For Mac

On a Mac, you can increase the volume using the Volume Up key on your keyboard, which is usually mapped to F12, though varies depending on your model.

Another way is to click the speaker icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen. A slider will appear: drag it to the right to raise the system volume.

For Windows

Click the volume icon at the bottom-right corner of your taskbar. Then, drag the volume slider to the right to raise the system volume, which applies whether you’re using speakers, wired headphones, or even Bluetooth connections.

Way 3. Disable Sound Check

The Apple Music app has a built-in Sound Check feature that evens out the volume between tracks, so everything plays at a consistent average level. It’s meant to prevent sudden peaks or drops, but in the process, it can dull audio dynamics. You can turn this off to listen to songs the way they were originally recorded.

For iPhone

Go to Settings > Music and turn off the Sound Check toggle under the Audio section. This will stop Apple Music from auto-leveling your tracks.

On Apple Music’s Mac or Windows app

On Mac: open the Music app, hit Command + or go to Music > Settings, then jump to the Playback tab. Uncheck Sound Check and click OK to save the changes.

For Windows Apple Music users, choose Settings from the menu (…) drop-down, go to Playback and switch off Sound Check.

Way 4. Set EQ as Late Night

This one applies specifically to iPhone and iPad users: adjusting your equalizer preset to Late Night. It compresses the dynamic range of your audio. In plain terms, it means the quiet parts get louder and the loud parts get somewhat toned down.

Some Reddit users (including a few audio folks) say it reduces audio detail slightly, but to make songs feel noticeably louder, it’s a quick win.

How to do it on iPhone/iPad:

• Go to Settings > Music and tap EQ.
• Then choose Late Night from the list.

Way 5. Turn off Dolby Atmos

Spatial audio can lower your overall volume by up to 25%, compared to standard stereo playback. That’s because Dolby Atmos spreads the sound and makes it feel less focused or punchy.

So, if your device doesn’t fully support spatial audio (like AirPods Pro or Atmos-compatible gear), it’s worth turning Dolby Atmos off.

Here’s how to disable it across different platforms.

For iPhone

• Head into your Settings app, scroll to Music, and tap it.
• Under the Audio section, you’ll see Dolby Atmos, open it and set it to Off.

For Mac

• Open the Apple Music app. In the top menu bar, click Music > Settings and switch to the Playback tab.
• Under Spatial Audio, you’ll find a drop-down next to Dolby Atmos. Just select Off from the list and close the window.

For Android

• Inside the Apple Music app, tap the three-dot menu at the top right and go to Settings.
• Scroll down and toggle Dolby Atmos off.

Some Android phones (like Samsung or Pixel models) also apply Dolby Atmos through system-level audio settings. So, if you still see Dolby Atmos badge showing while a track plays, disable Dolby Atmos from device’s Settings too, which overrides the app-level setting.

For Windows

The Dolby Atmos controls are like macOS, but the interface changes on Windows. Here’s a look:

• Click the three dots at the top-left of the Apple Music app and choose Settings.



• In the sidebar, go to Playback, scroll to Dolby Atmos, and switch it to Off using the drop-down. This ensures Apple Music stops using spatial mixing.

Also, if your system includes Dolby Atmos at the OS level (like on some Windows laptops), head to your Windows Sound Settings and turn off any Dolby Atmos enhancements too. Therefore, it doesn’t override the app’s configurations.

Way 6. Disable Reduce Loud Audio

iPhone come with a setting that limits loud headphone audio. It’s designed to protect your ears by capping the volume at a certain decibel level. Useful? Yes. However, if your music feels too quiet only with headphones, the feature might be the cause. To turn it off:

Go to Settings > Sound & Haptics, select Headphone Safety option under Headphone Audio section, and switch off Reduce Loud Sounds.

If the “Reduce Loud Songs” option is greyed out, your Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions might be blocking the change. Head there, set it to Allow, and you’ll be able to adjust the toggle again.

Way 7. Turn off Volume Limit

Starting with iOS 18.2, Apple added a volume limit for both headphones and the iPhone’s built-in speaker. This option is designed to cap audio output at a certain decibel level for hearing protection. So, if your Apple Music suddenly sounds quieter after an update, this setting could be the reason. To change it:

Go to Settings > Sound & Haptics, scroll down to the Built-In Speaker section, tap Volume Limit. Then, turn it off completely or move the slider higher to set your preferred loudness.

If the volume still isn’t loud enough, you can consider using another media player to play your Apple Music songs. For example, VLC can boost playback volume to up to 200%. To do this, you’ll first need to save your Apple Music songs as local MP3 or other supported formats and then add them to VLC for louder playback. StreamFox for Music is a great tool for this. It lets you sign in to your Apple Music subscription account through the built-in Apple Music player and select the songs you want to convert. The output quality can reach Lossless, while preserving complete song information, making your music easier to manage and find.

StreamFox for Music

• Every audio file keeps its original metadata, including cover art, so your music looks complete when playing with external players.
• 30x conversion speed and automatic organizations make the process intuitive and seamless.
• Built-in browser lets you explore your Apple Music library and batch-select tracks with just a few clicks.
• Support 9 music services, such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, etc.

Steps to Play Apple Music Louder with VLC

Step 1. Convert Apple Music songs to local files with StreamFox for Music.

Step 2. Set VLC volume to 200%.

• Download, install and open VLC Media Player on your computer.
• Click Tools in the top menu and select Preferences.
• In the Simple Preferences window, select All under Show settings to switch to the advanced settings.



• In the left sidebar, go to Interface > Main interfaces > Qt.
• Find Maximum volume displayed on the right. Change the value to 200.



• Click Save to apply the changes.

Step 3. Restart VLC. Add your local Apple Music songs to VLC by dragging and dropping the converted music files directly into the VLC window.

Step 4. While the song is playing, you can drag the volume slider in the bottom-right corner until the volume reaches your desired level.

Hardware upgrades can give Apple Music a more powerful output than your device’s built-in speakers or standard audio setup. A Bluetooth speaker can deliver higher volume and stronger sound, while a DAC can provide more power for wired headphones and speakers. Here’s how to use both options to make Apple Music louder.

Way 1. Make Apple Music Louder with Bluetooth Speaker

Whether you’re hosting a party, spending time outdoors, working out, or simply listening in a large room, your device’s built-in speakers may not deliver enough volume. A Bluetooth speaker is a better choice when you need to cover more space or want stronger bass and a fuller sound. Simply pair the speaker with your iPhone, iPad, or computer, then play Apple Music through it.

Step 1: Turn on your Bluetooth speaker and put it in pairing mode.

Step 2: On your mobile or desktop, open Bluetooth settings and select the speaker from the available devices to pair them.

Step 3: Open Apple Music and play the song you want to listen to. The music will now play through the Bluetooth speaker. Simply increase the volume using the controls on your Bluetooth speaker.

Way 2. Use DAC Amplifier

If you use external speakers or high-end headphones with Apple Music, a DAC amplifier is a must-have.

A DAC, short for Digital-to-Analog Converter, transforms the 1s and 0s from your device into smooth analog sound, exactly what your headphones or speakers need to deliver real yet rich audio. It also amplifies the signal itself, giving you louder and cleaner playback.

That said, here are three DAC upgrades worth considering. These are models many of us use in-house:

Name	Key Features	Price	Why It’s Great for Apple Music	Compatibility
FiiO JadeAudio KA11	Compact USB-C DAC with 32-bit/384kHz support and CS43131 chip	US$ 30	A clean, clear audio boost over standard headphone ports on Apple Music.	Android, macOS, Windows (USB-C only).  Note: iOS is not supported!
AudioQuest DragonFly Black	USB-A DAC with 32-bit ESS chip and 24-bit/96kHz resolution	US$ 100	Offer stronger dynamics and volume for lossless and Hi-Res tracks.	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS (with adapter)
iFi GO blu	Wireless & USB DAC with LDAC, aptX HD, AAC, plus XBass/XSpace EQ	US$ 199	Ideal for wireless Apple Music streaming with full codec and EQ flexibility	iOS, Android, macOS, Windows (Bluetooth/USB)

Before trying anything new to make Apple Music sound louder through your car speakers, make sure you’ve gone through the earlier steps including turning off Sound Check, adjusting the Volume Limit, and disabling Dolby Atmos. These settings still apply, even when you’re connected through Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto.

If you’ve done all of that and your Apple Music still sounds low inside the car, here are a few extra things you can try next.

Way 1. Use USB Connection Instead

Bluetooth is convenient, but it compresses audio and limits bandwidth, which affects both sound quality and loudness. So, switching to a wired connection is the quickest way to fix it, giving you better fidelity and more consistent volume.

Even if your car uses a 3.5mm AUX input, this way works too. Just make sure you’re using a quality cable, as cheap or worn-out cables can lead to signal loss or poor sound handling.

Way 2. Turn up Car Volume

It goes without saying but make sure the head unit or infotainment system volume is turned up to a proper level. It sounds simple, but if it’s set low, no phone setting will fix that.

You can also explore EQ presets built into your car’s system. These are applied independently from the ones on your iPhone or inside the Apple Music app, so switching to a setting like Bass Boost, Loudness, or Custom can make a noticeable difference.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, all the built-in settings and system tweaks can only take you so far when it comes to making Apple Music louder. Apple Music’s own restrictions often get in the way of how music should really sound.

If you want full control over your listening experience, StreamFox for Music is the way to go. It lets you convert your tracks and play them through another media player that puts you in charge — volume, presets, EQ, everything. Whether you’re in the car, using those high-end headphones, or just playing through your phone speaker, StreamFox allows you to hear your music the way you want.