How to Use a Microphone with a Mac Computer

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Enable the microphone on your Mac with this simple walkthrough
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Are you trying to use your Mac’s built-in mic in a specific app or website? Or have you hooked up an external mic to your Mac and you’re wondering how to turn it on? While using an internal or external microphone on your Mac is usually straightforward, sometimes you might encounter permission or connection issues. In this article, we’ll explain how to enable mic permissions in an app or browser as well as how to connect and enable an external mic. We’ll also go over troubleshooting tips for common microphone issues.

How to Enable a Microphone on Mac

To toggle on mic permissions for an app, go to Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone . You can also enable mic access for all or specific websites in your browser settings. Change your sound input settings in Apple menu > System Settings > Sound > Input .

Section 1 of 4:

Enabling Mic Permissions

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  1. 1
    Open> System Settings . To allow a specific app on your Mac to use your mic, you can enable mic permission in your computer’s Privacy & Security settings. Click the Apple menu icon at the top left corner of the screen, then open System Settings . [1]
  2. 2
    Select Privacy & Security . It’s in the left-side System Settings menu bar. You may need to scroll down to find it.
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  3. 3
    Click Microphone . Scroll down to find it in the main panel on the right side of the window.
  4. 4
    Toggle on the app where you want to enable mic permission. You’ll see a list of apps where you can enable or disable mic access. Tap the toggle switch to the right of the app to turn microphone access on or off.
    • If you don’t see an app on the list, it’s probably because that app hasn’t requested microphone access yet. Try opening the app and performing an action that requires the microphone. At that point, you should be prompted to allow mic access in Settings.
  5. 5
    Enable access for websites in your browser. If you’re trying to allow a specific website to use your mic, you can usually do so from within your browser. Your browser may prompt you to allow microphone access, in which case you can simply select Allow (or similar) in the prompt window. Otherwise, use the browser settings to adjust permissions:
    • Safari: Open Safari > Settings and select the Websites tab. Click Microphone in the panel on the left, then select Allow or Ask from the dropdown menu in the lower right corner.
      • If you’ve already set microphone permissions on a specific website in the past, you may see it listed in the Allow websites to access the microphone with the settings below window. Select a website in the window to change its permissions.
    • Chrome: Click â‹® in the top right corner of the browser window, then select Settings . Go to Privacy and security > Site settings and select Microphone under the Permissions header. Under the default behavior settings, click the bubble next to Sites can ask to use your microphone . [2]
      • If you’ve allowed or denied microphone access at a specific site before, you may see it under the Customized behaviors header. Select a site to change its permissions or remove it from the list.
    • Firefox: Select Firefox > Settings in the menu bar at the top of the screen. In the lefthand menu bar, select Privacy & Security . Scroll down to the Permissions section and select Settings next to Microphone . From there, select any saved websites on the list to adjust their microphone permissions or remove them from the list. Make sure the box next to Block new requests asking to access your microphone is not checked. [3]
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Section 2 of 4:

Connecting an External Mic

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  1. If you'd like to use an external microphone, connect it to your Mac via a USB port, an audio line-in port, or Bluetooth .
    • Most Macs, including all laptops, have a built-in microphone, but an external microphone typically affords better sound quality.
    • Different Macs have different port configurations. Not all Macs have a line-in port, and some models of MacBook have a single audio port that can be used as both audio line-in and line-out. Check the sides and back of your Mac to determine what ports are available. [4]
  2. It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  3. 3
    Click on System Settings . It's near the top of the drop-down menu.
  4. 4
    Click on Sound . It's in the left-hand sidebar in the System Settings window.
  5. 5
    Select Input . You’ll see this option under the Output & Input header in the right-hand panel, about halfway down.
  6. 6
    Select a microphone. All available microphones and audio input devices will be listed under the Input tab. Click the mic you want to use.
    • If your Mac is equipped with a built-in mic, it will be listed as “Built-In” under the Type header. The name of the mic will be something like “MacBook Pro Microphone.”
    • Other types of mics may be listed as “External,” “Virtual,” or “Continuity Camera” under the Type header.
    • If you don't see your external microphone on the menu, check its physical connection. For Bluetooth mics, make sure you have Bluetooth enabled and that your mic is in pairing mode.
  7. 7
    Adjust the settings for the selected microphone. Use the controls in the bottom half of the window to do so.
    • Move the slider for Input volume to the right to make the microphone more sensitive to sound.
    • On some Mac models, you can select Use ambient noise reduction to minimize background noise picked up by your mic.
  8. 8
    Test the sound level. Speak into the microphone to see if the sound registers in the meter marked Input level . If you see dark grey bars in the input level meter when you speak, your microphone has been activated.
    • If the Input level bar doesn't respond when you speak, check your microphone's connection and adjust the input volume.
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Section 3 of 4:

Troubleshooting

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  1. 1
    Make sure you have the right mic selected. If your mic isn’t working, it’s possible you have a different input source selected. Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Sound and select Input . Make sure the mic you want to use is highlighted in the list.
    • If you have an external mic plugged in, it might be interfering with your internal mic. Unplug the external mic or headset and try again to select the built-in mic.
  2. 2
    Adjust your audio input settings. Your mic sensitivity might be set too low. In Apple menu > System Settings > Sound > Input , try adjusting the Input volume slider.
  3. 3
    Check your external mic’s physical connection. If you have an external mic plugged in, there might be an issue with the cable or connection. Make sure the connector is pushed into the port all the way. If your Mac has separate input and output jacks, double-check that your mic is connected to the right one. You can also try using a different cable, if possible.
  4. 4
    Check your Bluetooth settings. If you’re using an external wireless mic, it might not be connected to your Mac correctly. Click theBluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen and make sure Bluetooth is toggled on. Check the list of connected devices in the menu to make sure your mic is listed and connected (the icon should be blue).
    • If you don’t see your mic or can’t get it to connect, click Bluetooth Settings . Make sure your mic is on, in range, and not connected to any other devices. When you see it in My Devices or Nearby Devices , hover over it and click Connect .
    • You might have to press a button on the mic to put it in pairing mode. In some cases, you might be prompted to enter a code to allow the connection. Check the manual or packaging that came with your mic to find the code.
    • Once it’s connected, make sure the mic is selected as your sound input source in Apple menu > System Settings > Sound > Input .
  5. 5
    Look at your mic permissions. If you’re having trouble getting your mic to work with a specific app or website, it might be locked in System Settings or your browser’s settings. Make sure you have the right permissions enabled .
  6. 6
    Enable the mic within app settings. Some apps have their own audio input settings. Check your app’s Settings or Preferences menu for an option called “Microphone,” “Audio Input,” or similar. Make sure you have the correct mic selected and that your microphone isn’t muted. You might also be able to adjust your mic’s input sensitivity from within the app.
  7. 7
    Restart your Mac. As basic as this seems, restarting your Mac can help resolve glitches or shut down background processes that might have been interfering with your mic. If nothing else is working, restart your Mac and try again.
  8. 8
    Turn on Dictation. This sounds a little odd, but some users swear it can help when other troubleshooting options fail. When you enable Dictation, your Mac will download some system files that might force the mic to start working. Here’s how to do it: [5]
    • Open Apple menu > System Settings > Keyboard .
    • Scroll down and toggle on Dictation , then click Enable .
    • Select the mic you want to use from the Microphone source dropdown.
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Section 4 of 4:

FAQ

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  1. 1
    Where is the microphone on my Mac? The location of the mic varies depending on the model. For example, on newer MacBook Air models, the mic is located at the top of the keyboard. [6] On current MacBook Pro models, the microphones are on the left side of the keyboard. [7] Check the specs for your specific Mac model to be sure.
  2. 2
    Why isn’t my microphone working? There are several reasons your mic might not be working, but here are some of the most common:
    • You have the wrong mic selected in System Settings.
    • You need to enable microphone permissions for the specific app or website you’re using.
    • There’s something wrong with the wired or Bluetooth connection between your Mac and your external mic.
    • Your mic is muted in the settings of the app you’re using.
  3. 3
    How do I set Mic Modes on my Mac? Some apps, like FaceTime, support special mic settings called “Mic Modes.” Here’s how to use them: [8]
    • Open an app that supports Mic Modes, then select the camera icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen.
    • Click Mic Mode .
    • Select a Mic Mode option, such as Voice Isolation , Wide Spectrum , or Standard .
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  • Question
    If I don't have an external microphone, will this still work?
    Community Answer
    Most Macs have an internal microphone, and this should be active by default.
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  • Question
    My internal mic is detecting my voice, but no one can hear me when I call. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Make sure that whatever application you're using has microphone enabled. For example, if you are running appear.in in Google Chrome, your flash player might not be enabled.
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  • Question
    How do I turn on a Macbook Pro when the keyboard and screen are off?
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    You press and hold the power button on the top-right part on the keyboard until it turns on.
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      • If you’re using audio software that goes with your external microphone, you may also need to set the software's preferences to make the microphone your Mac's input device.
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      • Set the slider that controls the "Input volume" level to about 70 percent to pick up optimal sound for recording.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchla1b1e1fe/mac
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2693767?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Desktop
      3. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-manage-your-camera-and-microphone-permissions
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchlp2567/15.0/mac/15.0
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mh40584/mac
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-by/guide/macbook-pro/apd921215d6c/mac
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-by/guide/macbook-pro/apd921215d6c/mac
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-by/guide/mac-help/mchle82b42f0/mac
      9. ↑ http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=105404#
      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109523
      2. ↑ http://www.apple.com/support/contact/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Connect an external microphone, if desired.
      2. Click on the Apple menu.
      3. Click on System Preferences .
      4. Click on Sound .
      5. Click on Input .
      6. Select a microphone.
      7. Adjust the input settings.

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