How to Change Audio Input and Output on macOS

To change audio input or output on a Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > Sound. Choose Output for speakers or headphones, or Input for a microphone. For quicker output changes, open Control Center > Sound and select a device. The device must be connected before it appears.

Connect your audio device first

macOS can use built-in speakers and microphones, wired headphones, USB or Thunderbolt audio interfaces, compatible display speakers over HDMI or USB-C, AirPlay devices, and Bluetooth headsets. Plug in wired equipment or open System Settings > Bluetooth to connect wireless gear. A paired Bluetooth device may still need to connect before it appears as an audio source.

Change your Mac’s sound output

1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Select Sound in the sidebar, then click Output.
3. Select the speakers, headphones, display, audio interface, or AirPlay device you want to hear sound from.
4. Adjust Output volume, mute, or move the Balance slider if needed.

For equipment plugged into the Mac’s audio jack, Apple says to choose Headphones. Some options vary by Mac model and connected hardware. See Apple’s sound output settings guide.

Change your sound input or microphone

1. Open Apple menu > System Settings > Sound.
2. Click Input, then select the microphone you want to use.
3. Speak into the mic and watch the Input level meter to confirm macOS receives sound.
4. If available, adjust Input volume so your voice registers clearly without distortion.

The list may include the Mac’s built-in microphone, a display microphone, a USB microphone or audio interface, a headset, or an iPhone microphone. Input-volume controls vary by device. See Apple’s sound input settings guide.

Switch output quickly from Control Center

1. Click the Control Center icon at the right side of the menu bar.
2. Open the Sound control.
3. Choose the output device you want to use. You can also adjust volume here.

This changes speakers or headphones without opening the full settings window. The Sound control changes output; use System Settings > Sound > Input to switch microphones. If Sound is missing, choose Edit Controls and add it. See Apple’s Control Center guide.

Keep the Sound icon in the menu bar

For quick volume access, open System Settings > Menu Bar, find Sound, and set it to Always. The layout can vary slightly by macOS version. This status item is useful for volume adjustments; use Control Center to choose an output device.

Troubleshoot missing devices or apps using the wrong mic

• The device is missing: Check the cable, adapter, power, and connection. For Bluetooth, verify it says Connected in System Settings > Bluetooth. A display appears as an output only if its connection and hardware support audio.
• The output switches back: Apple notes that headphones or external speakers connected to a Mac linked to a display can cause the selection to revert to those devices. Unplug them before choosing the display’s built-in speakers in Sound settings, then test again. See Apple’s audio-device switching guidance.
• An app still uses the old device: Check its own microphone and speaker selectors. Some apps manage their own audio route. If the app does not recognize the change, quit and reopen it.
• The microphone is silent in one app: Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and allow access for that app. The menu-bar recording indicator can show when the microphone is in use. Follow Apple’s microphone privacy instructions.
• You cannot hear anything: Return to Sound > Output, confirm the intended device is selected, check the volume and mute setting, and make sure the app’s own volume is not turned down.

Play sound through multiple devices at once

A normal output selection sends system audio to one device. To play the same sound through several outputs, open Audio MIDI Setup from Finder > Go > Utilities, click the add (+) button, and choose Create Multi-Output Device. Select Use for each output, choose a primary device, then select the new Multi-Output Device under System Settings > Sound > Output. An Aggregate Device instead combines channels from multiple devices for compatible audio apps; see Apple’s Aggregate Device guide. For simultaneous playback, follow Apple’s Multi-Output Device instructions.

On older macOS releases, the panel may be called System Preferences instead of System Settings. The workflow is similar: open Sound, select Output or Input, and choose the device you want to use.