How to Change the Sound Output on a Mac

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Do you need to change the speaker or headphones through which your Mac plays sounds? Changing the sound output device on your Mac is super easy—you'll just need to make a quick change in your System Preferences. Note: You'll need to have another output device connected in order to change to any option other than the default speakers.

1

Open your Mac's System Preferences.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
    The Apple menu is at the top-right corner of the screen.
    2. Advertisement
2

Click the "Sound" icon.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The Sound icon looks like speaker.
    This opens your sound settings.
3

Click "Output."

PDF download Download Article
  1. This tab is at the top of the window.
    Your output settings will appear.
    2. Advertisement
4

Select an output device.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Choose the device you want to hear audio from in the list.
    This highlights the device.
5

Customize your device settings.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Adjust the volume and balance.
    Click and drag the white notch under "Balance" to adjust your balance settings, and the white notch under "Output volume" to change volume settings. Your new settings will take effect instantly.
    2. Advertisement


Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

Set the Stereo Balance on a Mac
How to
Set Stereo Balance on a Mac, Plus Troubleshooting
Change the Volume on a Mac
How to
Adjust the Volume on Your Mac
Connect External Speakers to a Macbook Pro
How to
Connect Speakers to a MacBook (Wired or Bluetooth)
Activate a Microphone on Mac
How to
Use a Microphone with a Mac Computer
Change Audio Output on Windows2 Quick Ways to Change Audio and Sound Output on Windows
Connect Bose Headphones to MacA Step-by-Step Guide to Connecting Bose Headphones and Mac
Delete Multi Output Device Mac
How to
Remove a Multi-Output Sound Device on Mac
Disable the Internal Microphone on a Mac
How to
Disable the Internal Microphone on a Mac
Add a Sound Device to a ComputerA Simple Guide to Adding Sound Output Devices to a Computer
Connect Audio Devices to ComputersSimple Guide to Connect Speakers & Other Audio Devices to PC & Mac
Fix the Sound on a Mac Computer
How to
Fix the Sound on a Mac Computer
Connect Sony Headphones to MacA Step-by-Step Walkthrough to Pair Sony Headphones to Mac
Connect Two Bluetooth Speakers on PC or MacConnect Two Bluetooth Speakers to a PC or Mac at the Same Time
Fix Computer Speakers
How to
Fix Computer Speakers
Advertisement

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 71,958 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 3
Updated: June 3, 2022
Views: 71,958
Categories: Mac
In other languages
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 71,958 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement