How to switch audio output on Mac with a keyboard shortcut

Speakers, headphones, AirPods — switch with a key instead of three clicks.

Short answer

macOS has no shortcut for changing the output. MacFixes adds one, plus a shortcut per device if you want.

What macOS gives you

Switching takes a trip to Control Center, the Sound menu in the menu bar, or System Settings → Sound. There’s no built-in keyboard shortcut for it.

1
Add the fix
Open MacFixes Settings → Sound and add “Output switcher”. Fixes are off until you add them.
2
Record a shortcut
Give “Switch to the next output” a shortcut, or give a specific device its own.
3
Press it
Each press moves to the next output. It can also lower the volume when headphones disconnect.

This is one of 28 fixes in MacFixes.

Something else your Mac won’t do? Request it — we build it.

Yes. Each output can have its own shortcut alongside the one that cycles through them.