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Pegel
Your keyboard's volume keys – for the speakers in your monitor, too. Free for the Mac.
When your Mac is connected to a monitor with built-in speakers over DisplayPort, HDMI or USB-C, the volume keys often stop working: macOS only shows a crossed-out symbol. Pegel fixes that. The app sits quietly in the menu bar, and your keys control the volume again, just the way you are used to.
What Pegel does
The normal keys
Volume up, volume down and mute work as usual on the Mac, even with the MacBook lid closed.
Choose your device
You decide where the sound goes: monitor, speakers, headphones or Bluetooth.
Starts with your Mac
Tick one box in the settings and Pegel launches by itself every time you log in.
A clean overlay
Pressing a key shows the familiar volume overlay. The monitor's own on-screen display can be hidden.
Adjustable step size
Choose fine, normal or coarse. Hold Shift and Option for the smallest steps.
No data, no account
Pegel works only on your Mac, sends nothing to the internet and needs no sign-up.
How to install Pegel
- Download Pegel.dmg and open it.
- Drag Pegel into the Applications folder (shown as “Programme” in the disk image).
- Open Pegel the first time with right-click → Open and confirm the prompt. This is needed because the app has not been notarized by Apple yet.
- Allow Pegel to use the volume keys under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.
- Pick your device in the settings window and tick “Start automatically at login”.
Frequently asked questions
Does Pegel work with my monitor?
Pegel sends the volume straight to the monitor (DDC/CI). This works with most monitors that have speakers. Some monitors, TVs and docks do not pass the command on. In that case Pegel tells you in the settings window that the device cannot be controlled. Pegel was tested with an LG monitor over DisplayPort.
Why does Pegel need Accessibility access?
It is the only way an app can intercept the volume keys. Pegel does not read any other keys and does not store any input.
Why does macOS warn me on first launch?
The app has not been notarized by Apple yet. Open it once with right-click → Open; after that it starts normally.
Does Pegel run on my Mac?
Pegel needs a Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or later) and macOS 13 or later. Monitor control does not work on Intel Macs.
Is the app available in English?
Yes. Pegel follows your Mac's system language and you can switch between English and German in the settings.
Does Pegel cost anything?
No, Pegel is free and will stay free. If you like, you can top up my coffee level. That is entirely optional, and I am just as happy if you simply use the app.
How do I remove Pegel?
Quit Pegel from its menu bar icon and move the app from the Applications folder to the Trash. You can untick the login option in the settings first.
My coffee level is low ☕
“Pegel” is German for “level”. The app is free and will stay free. If you would still like to say thanks, you can top up my coffee level. Nobody has to.
A coffee costs less than a sandwich. And every coffee turns into roughly one line of code. Roughly. No pressure, no pop-ups, no guilt.
Questions about the app?
Questions, bugs or wishes? Just write to me using the contact form (the form is in German, but you can write in English). Please mention your Mac model, macOS version and monitor. The privacy policy is available in German.