Push notification volume for custom sound

Question

CH_Thong OP

Created Apr ’25

Replies 3

Boosts 0

Participants 2

Is there a way to configure the APNS notification sound volume to be louder?

I am implementing some custom sounds(narrative sentences) for APNS, it does play the custom sound, but the volume of the custom sound is not loud enough even though I had set the device's volume and "RingTone and Alerts" volume to max.

I tried to amplify the custom sound file, it does play louder but the result is minimum if I want to maintain the quality of the sound without it been distorted.

I tried to use Notification Service Extension, AVAudioPlayer and AVAudioSession to play the sound, it does play louder in max volume compare with relying on default sound payload in APNS, but the problem is AVAudioPlayer and AVAudioSession do not seems to be usable when the application is in background or killed state, is there any other alternative I could use?

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Answer 1

Engineer OP

Apple

Apr ’25

The only way you can override the users' volume settings for push notifications is by sending a critical alert

Critical Alerts require a special entitlement, and is given to apps that send notifications like safety alerts, emergency notifications, etc. If your app fits these categories, you would need to Request a Critical Alert Notifications Entitlement

If and when you are assigned this entitlement, then you can control the volume of the notification by configuring it in your payload as explained in Generating a remote notification

Argun Tekant /  DTS Engineer / Core Technologies

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Answer 2

CH_Thong OP

Apr ’25

The push notifications is aim for transactions and payment related notification for now, the custom sound will play something like "Payment received" and "Refund Successful". Is it fit the categories?

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Answer 3

Engineer OP

Apple

Apr ’25

The categories are listed in the request form. If your app does not fit any of them, you can take your chances and submit anyways.

You will not get a final answer from anyone but the entitlement team.

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