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Guides for TapNoise on your Mac. Search, or pick a topic.
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Getting started
Install TapNoise, allow Input Monitoring and pick your first sound.
- How to install TapNoise on your MacDownload TapNoise, move it to Applications, open it, then allow Input Monitoring so it can hear your keys. Works on macOS 14 or later.
- macOS won't open TapNoise? Use Open AnywayTapNoise isn't notarized by Apple yet, so macOS asks you to confirm the first launch. Approve it once in Privacy & Security with Open Anyway.
- How to allow TapNoise in Input MonitoringTapNoise needs Input Monitoring to hear which key went down. Here is how to switch it on, and why it never sees the letters you type.
- TapNoise system requirements: which Macs workTapNoise needs macOS 14 or later. Motion and lid sounds need specific MacBooks, so here is what works on which Mac.
- What stays on your Mac, and what leaves itTapNoise keeps its settings and counts on your Mac and never your typing. Here is what it stores, where, and the two network checks it makes.
License and buying
Activate your key, move it to another Mac, refunds.
- How to activate your TapNoise licensePaste the key from your Dodo Payments receipt email into TapNoise Settings, License, then click Activate. It needs the internet once.
- Find your TapNoise license key againLost your TapNoise key? Search your inbox for the Dodo Payments receipt, or sign in to Dodo's customer portal with the email you bought with.
- License says connect to the internet: fix itTapNoise checks your license with Dodo about every three days. It keeps working offline for up to 30 days after the last check, then asks you to connect.
- How to move your TapNoise license to a new MacRemove your key from the old Mac in Settings › License, then activate it on the new one. One key covers up to two Macs at a time.
- Lost access to a Mac with your licenseCan't remove TapNoise from a Mac you no longer have? Email support with your order details and we'll free its seat so you can activate the key.
- How to get a TapNoise refund within 14 daysAsk for a full refund within 14 days of buying TapNoise. Email us with your order number, and the money goes back to your original payment method.
Sounds and Tappy
Themes, slaps, the lid, the charger and your desktop buddy.
- How to choose a TapNoise sound themePick from 20 keyboard and fun sounds in the TapNoise menu or in Settings › Sounds, and pin up to six to the menu bar for quick switching.
- TapNoise volume and key release soundsChange how loud TapNoise is with the volume slider, and turn on Key release for a softer sound when a key comes back up, like a real switch.
- Play TapNoise through the MacBook speakersTurn on Use MacBook speakers in Settings › General so TapNoise's sounds come from the MacBook even with AirPods on, without the Bluetooth delay.
- Keep TapNoise quiet during callsQuiet during calls silences TapNoise while Zoom, FaceTime or any app uses your microphone. It's on by default, and you can turn it off.
- Type a song with TapNoise Song modeSong mode plays the next note of a tune on each key press. Use it with 8-bit, Piano or Kalimba, and pause for 5 seconds to start the song over.
- Tappy on your desktop: show, hide and moveTappy is the keycap that sits on your desktop and reacts to your typing. Show or hide it in Settings › General, drag it anywhere, and see what it does.
- Slap sounds and sensitivity on your MacBookTurn slap sounds on or off and set Sensitivity to Gentle, Normal or Firm in Settings › MacBook. Slaps need a MacBook with a motion sensor.
- Lid creak and lid sounds: which MacBooksLid sounds play while you move the MacBook lid. They need a lid angle sensor, found in some MacBook Pro and Air models and the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro.
- Charger and USB sounds: turn them on or offTapNoise plays a tune when you plug in or unplug the charger and a sound when a USB device connects. Both work on any Mac and can be turned off.
Tools
Guard Mode, Clean Mode, knocks, break reminders and the shortcut cheat sheet.
- Guard Mode: an alarm if someone moves your MacGuard Mode sounds a loud alarm if your MacBook is lifted or its charger is pulled while you're away. Here is how to turn it on, stop it, and its limits.
- Clean Mode: lock your keyboard to wipe itClean Mode holds the keyboard and trackpad for 30 seconds, 1 minute or 2 minutes so you can wipe them. Hold Esc for 2 seconds to stop early.
- Knock commands: play, pause and mute by knockingKnock your MacBook twice or three times to play or pause music, mute your mic in a call or lock the screen. Knock commands are off until you turn them on.
- Break reminders and typing strain warningsBreak buddy suggests a stretch after 30, 50 or 90 minutes of work. On MacBooks with a motion sensor, Tell me when I type hard warns you to go easy.
- Hold ⌘ to see the shortcut cheat sheetHold Command by itself for a second to see the shortcuts of the app in front. The cheat sheet reads only that app's menus, and needs Accessibility.
Coding agents
Sounds when Claude Code, Codex or Cursor finish or need you.
- Connect Claude Code, Codex and CursorConnect Claude Code, Codex or Cursor in Settings › Agents to hear when they finish or need you. TapNoise backs up each agent's settings first.
- Agent says moved? Repair its TapNoise hookIf Settings › Agents says an agent's hook is out of date or moved, click Repair. This happens after you move TapNoise.app or connect from an older copy.
- What the agent sounds and reactions meanClaude Code, Codex and Cursor each play a cue when they finish, need you or hit an error. Here is what each sound means and how to hear it.
Troubleshooting
No sound, permissions, updates and removing TapNoise.
- No sound when I type? Check these firstIf TapNoise is silent, check the Sounds switch, Input Monitoring, your license, Quiet during calls and the volume. The menu shows which one.
- TapNoise is not in Input MonitoringTapNoise isn't listed under Input Monitoring? Click Open Input Monitoring in the menu so macOS adds it, switch it on, and open the copy in Applications.
- How to check for a new TapNoise updateTapNoise looks for a newer version about once a day. When one is out, the menu shows Download TapNoise with its version. Here is how to get it.
- How to uninstall TapNoise completelyRemove TapNoise from your agents and this Mac first, then delete the app and the leftover files. Here is the full list, so nothing is left behind.
Didn’t find it?
Email support@tapnoise.com with your macOS version and what you expected to happen. The Support page has the details.