macOS · Display & Sound
Choose and configure audio devices
Sound Output & Input settings let you select which speakers or headphones play audio and which microphone captures it, and adjust device-specific levels like output volume balance and input gain.
How to open Sound Output & Input
- Open System Settings → Sound
- Select the Output tab and choose the desired playback device
- Select the Input tab and choose the desired microphone
- Adjust volume, balance, or input gain sliders as needed
What you should know
- Separate device lists for Output and Input, including built-in, USB, and Bluetooth audio devices
- Independent volume level and left/right balance controls for output
- Input level meter and gain slider for microphones
- Automatic switching behavior when a new audio device connects or disconnects
Why it matters
Choosing the correct audio output and input device is essential for anything from a video call to media playback, and misconfigured device selection is one of the most common reasons someone appears to have no audio or cannot be heard on a call. Because Macs frequently connect to multiple audio devices, such as built-in speakers, headphones, and a conferencing speakerphone, explicit control over which one is active avoids relying entirely on automatic switching, which does not always choose the device you actually want.
Best practices
- Manually select the correct output and input device before starting an important call rather than assuming automatic switching chose correctly
- Watch the input level meter while speaking to confirm your microphone is actually picking up audio
- Set a lower default output volume if you frequently switch to headphones to avoid a jarring volume jump
- Rename or identify similarly named Bluetooth audio devices to avoid selecting the wrong one
Common problems and fixes
- No sound plays despite volume being up
- Check that the correct output device is selected, since audio may be routing to a disconnected or unintended device.
- Other people cannot hear you on a call
- Verify the correct microphone is selected as input and check the input level meter for activity while speaking.
- Audio automatically switches to the wrong device
- Manually select the preferred device each time, or disconnect unused Bluetooth audio devices that keep taking priority.
Tips and tricks
- Use the Sound module in Control Center for quick output device switching without opening full settings.
- Test your microphone with the built-in level meter before an important recording or call to catch issues early.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use different apps with different audio devices simultaneously?
Not natively without third-party audio routing software; by default, the system output/input selection applies system-wide.
Why does my Bluetooth headset sound worse for calls than for music?
Many Bluetooth headsets switch to a lower-quality call-optimized audio profile automatically when the microphone is in use.
Does raising input gain improve microphone quality?
It increases volume but not clarity; excessive gain can introduce background noise or distortion.
Related settings
- Sound & NotificationsSound settings control input/output devices and alert volume, while Notifications & Focus let you decide which apps can interrupt you and when — including scheduled Focus modes like Work or Sleep.
- Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair and manage wireless accessories such as keyboards, trackpads, mice, headphones, and speakers with your Mac.
- DictationDictation lets you speak instead of type in nearly any text field on the Mac, converting speech to text using either on-device processing or enhanced online recognition depending on the language and settings.
More Display & Sound guides for macOS
- Displays SettingsDisplays settings let you change resolution, brightness, arrangement of multiple monitors, and features like Night Shift and True Tone for more comfortable viewing.
- FocusFocus lets you silence notifications and distractions while you concentrate on a specific task, like work, personal time, or sleep. You can allow only certain people and apps through, and each Focus can turn on automatically on a schedule or when you open a certain app.
- AppearanceAppearance settings control whether macOS uses a Light or Dark theme, or automatically switches between them based on time of day, along with accent color, highlight color, and sidebar icon size preferences.
- WallpaperWallpaper settings let you choose a still image, Apple's dynamic or live wallpapers that change with time of day, or your own photo collection to display as the Desktop background, with independent options per display.
- Night ShiftNight Shift automatically shifts the colors of your display to the warmer end of the spectrum in the evening, based on a schedule or sunset-to-sunrise timing, to reduce blue light exposure before bed.
- True ToneTrue Tone uses the Mac's ambient light sensors to automatically adjust the display's white balance to match the surrounding lighting conditions, making white appear consistently natural under different light sources.