How do I change the audio output of different apps?

Modern devices such as computers, smartphones, and tablets are capable of outputting audio to various endpoints like built-in speakers, headphones, Bluetooth speakers, HDMI connections to TVs, and more. While most devices have a system-wide default audio output, some allow you to override this on a per-app basis so that you can send audio from different apps to different outputs. For example, you may want to route game audio to headphones while routing music playback to external speakers. Controlling audio output per app gives you more flexibility and customization over your audio experience.

Default Audio Output

The default audio output device is the sound device that your computer uses to play audio by default. This could be speakers, headphones, or another audio playback device connected to or built into your computer. When you play a sound, video, or other media with audio, it will be routed to the default audio output device automatically. Some examples of applications that use the default audio device are a media player app playing music, a web browser playing a video, or a game producing sound effects.

Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android operating systems all allow you to set a default audio output device. The way this works behind the scenes is that the OS keeps track of the default device and any audio streams are directed to it unless otherwise specified on a per-app basis (more on that later). So when you play audio content without explicitly picking an audio output, the OS just sends it to the default.

Some key advantages of having a default audio device configured are:

• Convenience – Media will play through it automatically without having to set a specific output every time.
• Consistency – All system sounds and alerts will come through the same output.
• Control – You can easily change the default in system settings to switch between different outputs like speakers or headphones.

The default output is therefore important for general use of audio on a computer or mobile device. However, there are also techniques for overriding it on a per-app basis when you want more control.

Change Default Audio Output

The default audio output determines which speaker or headphone jack your system uses for sound when no per-app settings are enabled. Here are instructions for changing the default audio output in common operating systems:

Windows

On Windows 10 and 11, right click the speaker icon in the system tray and select “Open Sound settings”. In the Sound settings screen, under “Choose your output device”, select your desired audio output device from the dropdown menu. This will now become the default whenever no per-app settings override it.[1]

Mac

On Mac, go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Sound. Click on the “Output” tab and select your desired audio output device. Close the Sound settings window and your choice will now be the system-wide default output.[2]

iOS

On iPhone and iPad, open the Settings app and go to Accessibility > Audio/Visual. Here you can choose your default audio output as either the built-in iPhone/iPad speaker or your connected headphones/Bluetooth audio device.

Android

On Android, open the Settings app and go to Sound > Audio output. Select your desired audio output device from the options available. This will now be used as the default system audio.

[1] https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-your-audio-output-settings-4d50bb8f-4f4f-43c5-afc7-71776e91e2f5
[2] https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-the-sound-output-settings-mchlp2256/mac

Per-App Audio Output

Most modern operating systems provide the option to set the audio output on a per-app basis. This allows you to control which audio device different apps use. For example, you may want to have your music player output to high-quality headphones while your video conferencing software outputs to built-in speakers.

Setting per-app audio output gives you more granular control and flexibility over how audio is handled on your device. Rather than changing the system-wide default audio output, you can specify the output for each individual app.

The option to configure per-app audio is available on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, though implementation details vary across platforms. Generally the process involves going into the sound or audio settings for your device, selecting the app you want to configure, and choosing the audio output such as headphones or speakers. Advanced audio routing apps like VoiceMeeter on Windows provide additional options.

Setting distinct audio outputs for different apps prevents sounds from different apps overlapping. It also lets you optimize audio quality on a per-app basis, sending music to high fidelity outputs while system sounds are handled separately.

Windows Per-App Audio

Windows provides the ability to set different audio output devices on a per-application basis. This allows you to route audio from specific apps to different speakers or headphones.

To change the audio output device for a specific app in Windows 10 or 11:

1. Open the Settings app and go to System -> Sound.
2. On the right side, click on App volume and device preferences.
3. Locate the app you want to change and click on it.
4. Click on the speaker icon next to the app name.
5. In the menu, click on the audio output device you want that app to use.

This will set that specific app to output audio to the selected device. All other apps will continue using the default playback device.

You can repeat these steps for other apps to route their audio to different endpoints. This gives you granular control over audio on a per-app basis in Windows.

For more details, see this helpful guide: https://winaero.com/audio-output-device-apps-individually-windows-10/

Mac Per-App Audio

On a Mac, you can change the audio output for individual apps using third-party audio utilities like Rogue Amoeba’s Audio Hijack. Audio Hijack allows you to route audio from specific apps to different audio devices like headphones, speakers, or Bluetooth devices.

Here are the steps to change per-app audio on a Mac using Audio Hijack (source):

1. Download and install Audio Hijack from the Rogue Amoeba website.
2. Launch Audio Hijack and click on the “+” button to create a new session.
3. Select the application you want to change the audio output for from the “Process” dropdown.
4. Click on the audio output module on the right and select the output device.
5. Click “Start” to route the app’s audio to the selected output.

This will send the chosen app’s audio to the designated output while leaving system audio unaffected. You can create multiple Audio Hijack sessions to customize audio for different apps.

iOS Per-App Audio

One of the great features of iOS is the ability to change the audio output on a per-app basis. For example, you may want the music from your Spotify app to play through your Bluetooth headphones while YouTube continues playing through your iPhone’s speakers.

To change the audio output per app on iPhone and iPad running iOS 14 or later:

1. Open the app you want to change the audio output for.
2. Swipe down from the top right to access the Control Center.
3. Long press on the audio output card in the Control Center.
4. Tap on the icon of the app that is currently playing audio.
5. Select the desired audio output from the list – iPhone speaker, headphones, AirPods, etc.

This will set the audio output specifically for that app. Other apps will continue using the system default output. You can repeat these steps to change the audio output for multiple apps individually.[1]

In iOS 13 and earlier, the process is a little different. You need to swipe up to access the Control Center, then 3D Touch or long press on the audio card. Tap “Change With Buttons” and you’ll see output options for different apps.

It’s a very handy feature to quickly switch audio between speakers, headphones, and AirPods as needed on a per-app basis. Setting per-app audio outputs gives you more flexibility and control over your listening experience.

Android Per-App Audio

You can control audio playback on a per-app basis in Android. The way to do this differs depending on your Android version.

On Android 8.0 Oreo and above, go to Settings > Sound and tap on App volume. This will bring up a list of apps with individual volume sliders. Adjust the slider for each app to control its volume independently.

For Samsung devices, open Settings > Apps > Tap the 3 dots in the top right > Media volume. You can set the volume for Music, Video, Games and other media apps separately.

On older Android versions, you may need third party apps like Volume Control to control per-app volumes. This works by intercepting an app’s audio stream and redirecting it, allowing volume control.

Some Android skins like MIUI also have built-in per-app volume controls in Sound settings. Check your device’s settings to see if any such options exist.

You can also change audio output device per app in Sound settings. Go to Output and select your desired audio device for each individual app.

So in summary, Android provides granular volume and output control on a per-app level. Utilize these settings to customize audio based on your usage needs.

Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing issues with audio output not working properly across different applications, there are some troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the problem.

First, check your device’s audio connections and settings. Ensure cables are fully plugged in to the correct ports, volume is turned up, and the intended audio output device is selected in your operating system’s settings. Restarting your computer or mobile device can often resolve simple issues.

For more complex problems, you may need to check individual app settings. Many apps have their own audio output selection menus. Navigate to the app’s preferences or settings to confirm it is outputting to the intended device. For example, as described on the JamKazam help site, their app has separate settings for microphone input and overall audio output ¹.

As a last resort, updating audio drivers, changing cables, or rolling back recent operating system updates could potentially fix stubborn audio issues. With some trial and error, you should be able to get each application working properly with your preferred audio output device.

Conclusion

In summary, managing audio outputs allows you to control where and how audio from different applications is routed. The default audio output sends all audio to the built-in speakers or headphones. This can be changed in the sound settings to route to external speakers or audio interfaces. Per-app audio settings give finer control, allowing you to send audio from specific apps to different outputs. On Windows, this is done in the app’s settings or with third party apps. On Mac, the Audio MIDI Setup utility handles per-app audio routing. iOS and Android also include settings to choose audio output on a per-app basis.

A few final tips for managing audio outputs: Set application and system volumes to maximum to avoid clipping. Use higher quality outputs like external DACs for critical listening. Route system sounds separately so they don’t interfere with audio work. Consider investing in an audio interface with multiple outputs for complex setups. And don’t forget to toggle mute if you want to quickly stop audio playback.