If you have multiple audio inputs or outputs connected to your Mac, then you’re probably aware that you can visit System Preferences to manage and switch between interfaces at will. But wouldn’t it be nice if there was a quicker way to switch to a set of speakers or a microphone without venturing all the way into the Sound panel of System Preferences? In this post, we’ll share with you a handy shortcut that we use every day to do just that.
Switching between audio devices on the fly doesn’t have to be hard. If you have the volume button enabled to show in the menu bar, then you can switch between devices right from the menu bar.
Step 1: The first thing you’re going to need to do is ensure that the “Show volume in menu bar” option is checked in System Preferences → Sound. Once it is, you should notice the speaker icon representing the current volume in the menu bar.
Step 2: Next, it’s just a matter of holding the Option (⌥) key while clicking the menu bar volume icon. Once you do so, you’ll see a listing of all of your Mac’s input and output devices. You can then easily switch between those devices with a mere mouse click.
Video walkthrough
This method certainly beats having to go into System Preferences every time you wish to change your audio output source or input source. You can even use this method to quickly output sound to an AirPlay capable device like an Apple TV.
I use this handy shortcut multiple times a day as I juggle my many sound input and output options on OS X, and it’s something that I find so handy that I felt compelled to share.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Thank you. Even though I’ve been using a Mac for years I sometimes forget about the power of the option click.
Sweet, thanks for this. I use the option key a lot for other menu items. Can’t believe I never bothered to test against the volume icon. So much wasted time going to system preferences :-( Got so annoying switching over to BT headsets that I sometimes just go for the plugin variety. This will definitely change the way I listen to audio on my Mac! Thanks again.
THANKS!!! OMG I’ve been using a mac since 20forever. Bluetooth speakers/headphones are now literally at my fingertips! 😄
thanks so much! Using several headphones and microphones, didn’t know it existed!!!
I’m surprised people didn’t know this; remember, the option key is your friend. Look no further than what you see when you click on your WiFi icon with the option key clicked and you’ll see a whole new world…
Strange huh? The Option key is the one you want if an option doesn’t seem to be available.
Other shortcuts:
Ctrl-Eject, Enter: shutdown Mac
Ctrl-Shift-Eject: shutdown screen (undocumented)
I also enable the LOCK icon in the menubar (Keychain Access prefs)
Great and simple hint Jeff! Keep up the good work! Thanks!
OS X has many hidden gems that are not intuitive in order to probably save space, buttons.
Holy..How the Hell did I not know about this? I love what it does for the WiFi icon. This is great, although when using switching audio i/o I prefer to set the interfaces in those specific apps that are going to use it, not system wide.
Too cool; thanks!~
Nice tip. 👍🏼
Sweet!
I’m going to option-click everything today… and I’ve been using Macs since the late 80’s!
been using that always, BUT, WHY cant we have different output devices play different music? I have wifi headphones set to play some language course fop rme while wife watches tv show, and it can be done in windows, but cant on mac os?????
This is just the tip I was looking for!!! Thanks!!!