If your Mac has ever blasted a meeting through the wrong speaker, ignored your shiny USB microphone, or sent your music to a Bluetooth device sitting in another room, congratulations: you have met the mysterious little world of macOS audio input and output. The good news is that changing audio devices on a Mac is usually simple. The slightly annoying news is that macOS sometimes tries to be “helpful,” which is tech-speak for “I picked the device for you and I hope you enjoy surprises.”
This guide explains exactly how to change audio input and output on macOS, including built-in speakers, headphones, AirPods, Bluetooth speakers, USB microphones, audio interfaces, external monitors, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack, and pro-level tools like Audio MIDI Setup. Whether you are fixing a silent MacBook, preparing for a video call, recording a podcast, or trying to stop your headset from sounding like it was purchased from a gas station in 2007, this walkthrough has you covered.
What Audio Input and Output Mean on macOS
Before clicking around, it helps to know what macOS means by “input” and “output.” Audio output is where sound comes out. That may be your MacBook speakers, iMac speakers, external display speakers, headphones, AirPods, Bluetooth speakers, USB speakers, HDMI audio, AirPlay devices, or a professional audio interface.
Audio input is where sound goes in. That includes your Mac’s built-in microphone, a headset microphone, a USB microphone, webcam microphone, Bluetooth headset mic, or studio audio interface. Output is what you hear. Input is what other people hear from you. If output is wrong, you cannot hear your meeting. If input is wrong, everyone else hears silence, static, or the beautiful distant clacking of your keyboard instead of your voice.
How to Change Audio Output on macOS
The most reliable way to change sound output on a Mac is through System Settings. This works on modern macOS versions, including recent releases that use the newer System Settings layout instead of the older System Preferences design.
Change Output from System Settings
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Choose System Settings.
- Scroll down and click Sound.
- Click the Output section.
- Select the device you want to use for sound output.
- Adjust the output volume slider if needed.
- Make sure the device is not muted.
Available output devices may include internal speakers, wired headphones, USB speakers, external monitors, HDMI devices, AirPlay speakers, Bluetooth headphones, AirPods, or audio interfaces. If you plug headphones into the Mac’s headphone jack, macOS may list them as Headphones. If you connect a USB DAC or interface, it may appear under the brand or model name.
Here is a common example: You are on a MacBook Air, but sound is playing from your external monitor. Go to System Settings > Sound > Output and choose MacBook Air Speakers. If you want sound through the monitor instead, select the monitor name. Easy. No séance required.
Change Output from Control Center
For quick switching, use Control Center. Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar, then click the Sound control. From there, you can adjust volume and often select a different output device. This is the fastest method when you simply want to jump from Mac speakers to AirPods or from headphones back to an external speaker.
If you change audio devices often, add the Sound icon to the menu bar. Open System Settings > Control Center or Menu Bar, find Sound, and choose to show it in the menu bar. Then you can switch audio output without digging through settings like a raccoon looking for leftovers.
How to Change Audio Input on macOS
Changing the microphone on macOS is just as important as changing speakers. This is especially true if you use a USB microphone, webcam microphone, headset, or external audio interface.
Change Input from System Settings
- Click the Apple menu.
- Open System Settings.
- Click Sound.
- Choose the Input section.
- Select the microphone or input device you want to use.
- Speak normally and watch the input level meter.
- Adjust the input volume slider if your voice is too quiet or too loud.
The input level meter is your best friend. Say something ordinary, such as “testing, testing, please let this meeting end early.” If the level bars move, your Mac is receiving sound from that microphone. If nothing moves, either the wrong microphone is selected, the mic is muted, the app lacks permission, or the device is not connected properly.
If you are using a headset, macOS may automatically select the headset microphone when it connects. That can be convenient, but not always ideal. Many Bluetooth headset microphones sound thinner than the built-in Mac microphone because Bluetooth bandwidth is shared between the speaker and microphone. A popular setup is to use AirPods or Bluetooth headphones for output while using the Mac’s built-in microphone for input. This often gives you better call quality.
How to Use Different Devices for Input and Output
macOS lets you choose one device for output and another for input. This is useful when you want to hear through headphones but speak through a better microphone.
For example, choose AirPods under Output and MacBook Pro Microphone under Input. Or choose USB Audio Interface as input and External Speakers as output. This setup is excellent for video calls, livestreams, podcast recording, music lessons, and remote work.
The key is to check both tabs. Many people change the output and forget the input. Then they spend five minutes saying, “Can you hear me?” into a microphone macOS is politely ignoring. Do not become a meeting meme. Check both.
How to Change Audio Devices for AirPods and Bluetooth Headphones
Bluetooth audio devices are convenient, but they can be dramatic. If your AirPods, Beats headphones, Sony headset, Bose headphones, or Bluetooth speaker is already paired with your Mac, changing output is usually simple.
- Open Control Center from the menu bar.
- Click the Sound area.
- Select your Bluetooth device as the output.
You can also go to System Settings > Bluetooth to connect the device first, then visit System Settings > Sound to choose it as input or output. If the Bluetooth device includes a microphone, it may appear under both Output and Input.
If your Bluetooth headphones sound great for music but terrible in meetings, try using them only as output and selecting the Mac’s internal microphone as input. This avoids the common Bluetooth headset problem where audio quality drops when the microphone is active.
How to Change Audio Input and Output in Zoom
Zoom can follow your Mac’s system audio settings, but it also has its own audio device controls. That means your Mac may be set correctly while Zoom is still using the wrong speaker or microphone. Delightful? No. Fixable? Yes.
Before a Zoom Meeting
- Open the Zoom desktop app.
- Click your profile picture or settings icon.
- Choose Settings.
- Click Audio.
- Select the correct speaker from the Speaker menu.
- Select the correct microphone from the Microphone menu.
- Use Test Speaker and Test Microphone.
During a Zoom Meeting
Click the small arrow next to the microphone icon. From there, choose a different microphone or speaker. If you are using a professional microphone, music setup, or audio interface, also review Zoom’s noise suppression and original sound options. Zoom’s automatic processing is great for office calls, but it can make music, instruments, and high-quality microphones sound oddly squashed.
How to Change Audio Devices in Google Meet
Google Meet also has its own device settings. Before joining a meeting, click the settings gear, open the Audio tab, and choose your microphone and speakers. During a meeting, open the three-dot menu, choose Settings, then select Audio.
A practical example: Your Mac output is set to AirPods, but Google Meet is using the external monitor speakers. Open Meet audio settings and choose AirPods under Speakers. Then choose your preferred microphone. Test before joining whenever possible, especially before interviews, webinars, sales calls, or anything where “Hold on, my audio is weird” is not the personal brand you are aiming for.
How to Change Audio Devices in Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams lets you choose audio devices before and during meetings. In a meeting, open Device settings and select your speaker and microphone. You can also configure devices from Teams settings before joining.
Teams is commonly used in workplaces with docks, monitors, USB headsets, and corporate audio devices. If Teams keeps choosing the wrong device, check both macOS Sound settings and Teams device settings. If your company manages Teams policies, some options may be limited by your IT administrator.
How to Change Audio Devices in Slack
Slack huddles and calls have separate audio preferences too. Open Slack, click your profile picture, go to Preferences, then choose Audio & video. Under Microphone and Speaker, select the devices you want. Speak into the microphone and watch the input indicator to confirm Slack can hear you.
If Slack cannot access your microphone, check macOS privacy permissions. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and make sure Slack is allowed. Quit and reopen Slack after changing permissions. Apps often need a restart before they behave like civilized software.
How to Fix Microphone Permission Problems on macOS
If an app cannot hear your microphone, macOS privacy settings may be blocking access. This applies to Zoom, Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Discord, recording tools, browsers, and many other apps.
- Open System Settings.
- Click Privacy & Security.
- Click Microphone.
- Turn on access for the app that needs your microphone.
- Quit and reopen the app.
Also watch the privacy indicators in the menu bar. On modern macOS versions, an orange dot means the microphone is in use. A purple indicator may appear when system audio is being recorded. These indicators are helpful when you want to know which app is actively listening or recording.
How to Use Audio MIDI Setup for Advanced Audio Control
For most people, System Settings is enough. For musicians, podcasters, editors, streamers, and anyone with multiple audio devices, Audio MIDI Setup is the secret workshop behind the curtain.
Open it by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup, or search for it with Spotlight. In Audio MIDI Setup, you can view audio devices, change sample rates, adjust formats, set clock sources, and create special device combinations.
Create an Aggregate Device
An Aggregate Device combines multiple audio devices so they can act as one device. This is useful if you want to use several microphones or combine an audio interface with another input source. In Audio MIDI Setup, click the plus button and choose Create Aggregate Device. Then select the devices you want to include.
Create a Multi-Output Device
A Multi-Output Device lets you play sound through multiple output devices at once. For example, you might send audio to external speakers and headphones at the same time. This is handy for demonstrations, small studio setups, or situations where two people need to hear the same Mac audio without sharing one pair of headphones like budget-conscious spies.
Be aware that Bluetooth devices and wired devices can have timing differences. If one speaker plays slightly behind another, that is latency. For serious audio work, wired devices and dedicated audio interfaces are usually more reliable.
Troubleshooting: What to Do When macOS Audio Will Not Switch
Sometimes the correct device is selected, but sound still refuses to cooperate. Try these fixes in order.
Check the Obvious First
Make sure the volume is up, mute is off, cables are fully connected, batteries are charged, and the device is powered on. Yes, this sounds basic. Yes, professionals forget it too. A muted headset has defeated many intelligent people.
Disconnect and Reconnect the Device
Unplug wired audio devices and plug them back in. For Bluetooth devices, disconnect and reconnect them from System Settings > Bluetooth. If needed, forget the device and pair it again.
Restart the App
If Zoom, Meet, Teams, Slack, QuickTime, Logic Pro, GarageBand, or another app is stuck on the wrong device, quit and reopen it. Some apps only refresh their audio device list when they launch.
Restart Your Mac
A restart can reset audio services and clear temporary glitches. It is not glamorous, but it works often enough to deserve a small trophy.
Check for macOS Updates
Audio bugs can be fixed through macOS updates. Open System Settings > General > Software Update and install available updates after backing up important data.
Check App-Specific Audio Settings
If system audio is correct but one app is wrong, the app probably has its own speaker or microphone selection. Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, Slack, Discord, OBS, Logic Pro, GarageBand, and recording software commonly manage audio separately from macOS.
Best Practices for Choosing the Right Mac Audio Setup
For everyday use, choose your Mac speakers or favorite headphones as output and your built-in microphone as input. For video calls, headphones reduce echo and the built-in Mac mic often sounds clearer than many Bluetooth headset microphones. For podcasting, voiceovers, or professional calls, use a USB microphone or audio interface as input and wired headphones as output.
For music production, use an audio interface for both input and output. Keep your sample rate consistent across your recording app and Audio MIDI Setup. For presentations, test the room speaker, projector, HDMI output, or AirPlay device before the audience arrives. Nothing says “professional confidence” like five minutes of silence while everyone watches you click the Sound menu.
Common Audio Device Scenarios on macOS
Scenario 1: You Want Mac Speakers, Not AirPods
Go to System Settings > Sound > Output and choose your Mac speakers. You can also disconnect AirPods from Control Center or Bluetooth settings.
Scenario 2: You Want AirPods for Sound but Mac Microphone for Voice
Choose AirPods under Output. Then choose your Mac microphone under Input. This is often better for meeting clarity.
Scenario 3: Your USB Microphone Does Not Appear
Try a different USB port or cable, avoid unpowered hubs, restart the app, and check whether the microphone needs special software. Then check System Settings > Sound > Input.
Scenario 4: Your Meeting App Cannot Hear You
Check the app’s microphone menu, then check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Give the app permission and restart it.
Scenario 5: Sound Plays from the Wrong Monitor
HDMI and USB-C monitors often appear as audio output devices. Open Sound settings and select your preferred output. If the monitor has no speakers, do not choose it unless you enjoy premium silence.
Experience Notes: Real-World Lessons from Changing Audio Input/Output on macOS
After dealing with Mac audio across video calls, recording sessions, Bluetooth headphones, external monitors, and the occasional “why is my music coming from the kitchen speaker?” incident, one lesson stands above all: always check output and input separately. Many users assume that choosing headphones means the microphone changes too, or that selecting a USB microphone automatically sends sound to headphones. macOS treats input and output as two different decisions, and that is usually a good thing. It gives you flexibility, but it also means you need to look at both sides of the audio equation.
The most reliable daily setup is surprisingly simple. Use headphones for output and the Mac’s built-in microphone for input. This works especially well with AirPods and other Bluetooth headphones because Bluetooth microphones can sound compressed during calls. The headphones prevent echo, while the Mac microphone often captures a fuller voice. It is not a recording-studio miracle, but for meetings it can make you sound less like you are calling from inside a cereal box.
Another practical habit is testing audio before important calls. In Zoom, use Test Speaker and Test Microphone. In Google Meet, check the Audio settings before joining. In Teams and Slack, open device settings before the meeting begins. This takes less than a minute and prevents the classic opening act of modern work: “Can everyone hear me?” followed by frantic clicking, nervous laughter, and one person saying, “Maybe leave and rejoin.”
External monitors are another common source of confusion. Many USB-C or HDMI displays appear as audio output devices, even when their speakers are weak, disabled, or nonexistent. If your Mac suddenly goes silent after connecting a monitor, check whether macOS switched output to the display. This happens often enough that it should come with a tiny pop-up saying, “I made a bold choice.”
For creators, Audio MIDI Setup is worth learning. It looks technical at first, but it can solve problems that System Settings cannot. If your audio interface sounds distorted, check the sample rate. If you need multiple microphones, create an Aggregate Device. If you want sound through more than one output, try a Multi-Output Device. Just remember that combining devices can introduce latency, so test before recording anything important.
The final experience-based tip is to keep your setup consistent. If you use the same microphone and headphones every day, connect them before opening meeting apps. Apps often remember the last device they used, but they can only select what is available. Connect first, launch second, test third. It is not exciting, but neither is troubleshooting audio while twelve coworkers stare at your frozen smile.
Conclusion
Changing audio input and output on macOS is easy once you know where to look. For system-wide control, use System Settings > Sound. For quick changes, use Control Center or the Sound icon in the menu bar. For calls, always check the audio settings inside Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Slack. For advanced setups, open Audio MIDI Setup and manage aggregate devices, multi-output devices, formats, and sample rates.
The best rule is simple: output controls what you hear, input controls what others hear from you. Check both, test before important meetings, and do not trust Bluetooth devices to make wise life choices on your behalf. Once you understand how macOS handles microphones and speakers, you can switch devices confidently instead of clicking around like you are trying to defuse a tiny digital bomb.
Note: This article is based on current macOS audio behavior, Apple system guidance, and real-world usage patterns across common Mac apps and audio devices. Menu names may vary slightly depending on macOS version, device model, and app updates.