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# criticalAlertSetting

The authorization status for playing sounds for critical alerts.

```
var criticalAlertSetting: UNNotificationSetting { get }
```

## Discussion

When [`UNNotificationSetting.enabled`](/documentation/UserNotifications/UNNotificationSetting/enabled), this property authorizes the app to play critical sounds that ignore Do Not Disturb and the device’s mute switch.

For local notifications, the system attempts to play a critical sound when the [`sound`](/documentation/UserNotifications/UNNotificationContent/sound) property of the [`UNNotificationContent`](/documentation/UserNotifications/UNNotificationContent) object contains an object returned by the [`defaultCritical`](/documentation/UserNotifications/UNNotificationSound/defaultCritical) property, the [`criticalSoundNamed(_:)`](/documentation/UserNotifications/UNNotificationSound/criticalSoundNamed(_:)) method, or a related method.

For remote notifications, the system attempts to play a critical sound when the notification’s payload contains a `sound` directory that contains the `critical` key.

Critical alerts require a special entitlement issued by Apple.

---

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