How to Select Mac Computer Audio Input & Output Devices

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. Sign Up. *

When you change input or output devices for your Mac audio, sometimes the speaker settings don't correctly update automatically. This can leave you with audio still coming from your MacBook speakers even when you've set up external speakers, or vice versa. Fortunately, it's easy to go into the sound control panel and set audio output and/or input to whatever you want.

Why You’ll Love This Tip

• Manually choose the speaker input or output devices for all sound on your Mac.
• Easily use headphones, a headset with a built-in microphone, external speakers, or other special audio devices with your Mac.
• Select both the speakers and microphone your Mac uses.

How to Change Audio Output & Input in Mac Sound Preferences

To learn more about your Mac features and settings, sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter. Whether you're an amateur DJ or a casual listener, setting sound input and output is very simple once you know where to access the sound control panel. The input device is the device that “listens” to you if you are speaking, for example, your built-in Mac microphone. The output device is the device that plays sounds for you to hear, that is, your speakers. Here's how to change audio input and output settings on your Mac:

Discover your iPhone's hidden features

Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.

1. Click to open the Apple menu.
   
   
2. Click System Preferences.
   
   
3. Click Sound to open the Mac Sound settings.
   
   
4. To change sound output, click Output on the menu at the top.
   
   
5. Click a device to set it as the new sound output. The options will list all currently available devices. Whichever one is highlighted is currently selected.
   
   
6. To change sound input, click Input.
   
   
7. Click to select a device for sound input. The options will list all currently available devices.
   
   

That's all there is to it! Now you know how to change your Mac audio input and output source whenever needed. If you're interested in changing the AirDrop name of a device, you can also learn how to customize the AirDrop name for your iPhone or Mac.