How to Enable Startup and Shutdown Sounds on iPhone (iOS 26)
If you’ve ever wondered whether your iPhone actually powered on or shut down, iOS 26 quietly adds a helpful solution. Apple now includes an accessibility option that plays a sound when your iPhone turns off and another when it powers back on.
This guide walks through exactly where to find the setting and explains what to expect once it’s enabled.
🎓 What You’ll Learn
Where to find startup and shutdown sound settings on iPhone
How to enable power on and power off sounds in iOS 26
What happens after the setting is turned on
Why this feature can be helpful for confirmation and accessibility
⚙️ Where Startup and Shutdown Sounds Are Located
Apple places this feature inside Accessibility settings, not general sound options. This makes sense because the sounds act as confirmation cues rather than standard notifications.
Knowing where this setting lives saves time searching through unrelated menus.
Open Settings on your iPhone
Scroll down and tap Accessibility
Navigate to the Audio and Visual section
🔊 Enabling Power On and Power Off Sounds
Once inside Audio and Visual settings, the option to enable sounds for powering your device on or off is straightforward. It only requires a single toggle.
After enabling it, the feature works automatically without additional configuration.
Locate the Power On and Off Sounds option
Toggle the setting on
Exit Settings once enabled
🔁 What Happens After the Feature Is Turned On
With the setting enabled, your iPhone plays an audible sound when it shuts down and another sound when it powers back on. These sounds are not notifications and do not depend on app activity.
They serve as simple confirmation cues.
A sound plays when the iPhone powers off
A sound plays again when the iPhone turns back on
The sounds make it easier to confirm device state
♿ Why This Feature Can Be Helpful
Startup and shutdown sounds are especially useful for accessibility and everyday reassurance. They remove guesswork when pressing hardware buttons or restarting your device.
For some users, audible confirmation makes device interaction more reliable.
Helps confirm successful shutdown or startup
Useful when the screen is not immediately visible
Supports accessibility needs with audio feedback
