Support

Help with Volume Shield

Common questions and quick fixes. If you're on the private beta, your feedback directly shapes the release.

Frequently asked questions

How does Volume Shield estimate listening level?

It combines the outgoing digital audio level, your Mac's output-volume setting, and a reference output value for your headphone model or category. The displayed number adds a small, bounded safety margin. It's an engineering estimate expressed in dBA — not a calibrated acoustic measurement.

Is it a medical device?

No. Volume Shield is a consumer guidance tool for personal awareness. It is not a medical device, hearing test, diagnosis, or certified sound-level meter, and it is not a substitute for professional care.

Does it work with every pair of headphones?

It starts monitoring any connected headphones immediately. Some devices have a specific model profile; for others it uses a category estimate or a broad universal fallback, and it always shows you which one it's using so you know how confident the estimate is.

What happens if my exact headphone model isn't listed?

Nothing stops. Volume Shield keeps monitoring with a category or universal estimate, clearly labeled. You can pick the closest model in a searchable list or choose "Use a General Estimate," and your choice is remembered for that device.

Does it work with Mac speakers?

No — and that's deliberate. Volume Shield is built for headphones. When output switches to the built-in speakers it stays inactive rather than guessing, because it can't estimate exposure at your ears the same way.

Does Volume Shield change my volume automatically?

Only if you enable automatic protection. When enabled, it can gradually lower a headphone output that macOS reports as adjustable, after sustained high exposure. It never raises the volume, never touches speakers, and you can turn it off. Warnings on their own never change your volume.

Does it record or upload my audio?

No. Audio is analyzed in memory and immediately reduced to numeric level statistics. Raw audio is never recorded, saved, exported, or transmitted, and the app does not collect song titles, media or app activity, or microphone data. There is no account, telemetry, or runtime networking — history stays on your Mac until you export or delete it.

How accurate are the estimates?

They are engineering estimates, not laboratory measurements. Real output varies with fit, seal, EQ, codec, ANC mode, firmware, and amplification. The app shows a confidence tier for every estimate, and an optional personal calibration can improve consistency for a single device and setup.

Which versions of macOS are supported?

macOS Sequoia 15 (15.0) and later. Volume Shield relies on the Screen & System Audio Recording permission to read outgoing system audio; it does not request microphone access.

Is this a subscription or a one-time purchase?

Pricing has not been finalized. The current build is a free, invite-only private beta. When a model is decided, the exact terms will be shown here — Volume Shield will not use fake scarcity or hidden charges.

Troubleshooting

“Permission needed”

Open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Screen & System Audio Recording, enable Volume Shield, return to the app, and choose Retry.

“Reconnecting to headphones…”

Let the Bluetooth route settle. Volume Shield intentionally hides the previous estimate until a fresh reading is available.

“Monitoring temporarily unavailable”

Choose Retry. If it keeps recurring, export a diagnostic report from Settings and include it with your feedback.

Nothing shows on speakers

That's expected. Volume Shield is designed for headphones and stays inactive on the built-in speakers rather than guessing at exposure.

Sending beta feedback

Helpful reports include your Volume Shield and macOS versions, the kind of output in use (speakers, Bluetooth, or wired headphones), what happened, and what you expected. When asked, attach a privacy-safe diagnostic report — it excludes raw audio, media titles, application activity, documents, and microphone content.

A public support address has not been published yet. Private-beta testers should use the contact channel shared by the beta coordinator.

Looking to install? See the download page. Volume Shield provides estimates for personal awareness and is not a medical device, hearing test, or substitute for professional care.