Learn how to toggle sound output and enable HDMI audio on your Mac OS quickly and efficiently.
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If you’ve ever connected your Mac to a non-TV via HDMI, you’ve probably noticed that, unlike a video source, the audio output doesn’t automatically change to newly connected hardware. This is intentional, but many users misinterpret it as a problem with the output features of an HDMI adapter or cable, or even a Mac, when in fact it’s almost always just about adjusting the OS X audio output settings.
The usual approach is to go through System Preferences to Audio Preferences and change the output, but there is actually a much faster way to adjust the direction of the audio output, and it can be done from anywhere without going into settings at all.
Quickly switch audio output on a Mac
This works on virtually all versions of OS X and reveals all audio sources:
- Hold down the Option key and click the Sound icon
- Find the desired audio output item in “Output Device” and select it from the drop-down menu
The change is immediate, and the set audio output destination has a check box next to the name. Play a sound effect or any sound format to make sure it works. While we focus on HDMI here, this also applies to all other ways of exporting audio, including applications like WavTap that capture all audio.
Of course, it is still possible to use another way to go through System Preferences> Output to control this, but since everything can be done from anywhere without starting the settings, there is little reason to go this route.
To return to the default audio source (typically internal speakers or audio connection), select Option + Click the audio menu icon again, and then select “Internal Speakers” from the drop-down menu.
On the contrary, this menu trick also allows you to switch input sources, making it easier to switch the input from an external microphone, another audio source, or back to the default internal microphone.
Why is the Sound menu icon grayed out?
You will notice that when the HDMI audio source (and many other output options) is selected, the Audio menu icon will turn gray:
This does not mean that audio export does not work, it simply means that the volume must be controlled through the hardware that the Mac now sends via HDMI, which is typically a TV or presentation screen, because the internal volume controls and keyboard buttons no longer work.
HDMI audio output still not working? Check that your Mac has HDMI audio support
Almost all new Macs support audio via HDMI, and virtually everything newer than the 2021 model year has its own support. Nevertheless, if none of these work, the HDMI output source is not visible in the menu options or audio output settings, and you are absolutely sure that there is nothing wrong with the HDMI cables and adapters, then you may want to check that your Mac supports HDMI audio output.
- Hold down the Option key and click the Apple menu, then select “System Information”
- From the Hardware menu, select “Sound”
- Click the triangles to open each audio channel option and look for “HDMI Output”, “HDMI / DisplayPort Output” or something similar
If you don’t see any HDMI output in your hardware’s audio menus, your Mac doesn’t support exporting audio through HDMI. If your Mac is brand new and should therefore support HDMI audio, there may be a hardware problem with either the adapter itself (this is a very common problem with super-cheap adapters purchased online, get a trusted brand like Monoprice, and cost a few bucks more), or less In some cases, this may be a problem on the Mac itself, and you may want to contact AppleCare if you wish.
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