Can't use earbuds as sound input

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Level 1

45 points

Can't use earbuds as sound input

I'm trying to use the microphone on my earbuds as sound input for Skype calls. But in System Preferences -> Sound -> Input, I see only "MacBook Pro Microphone" (and some Loopback options). Under Output, "External Headphones" is selected. Should that also be an option listed under Input? Thanks.

[Original post: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250725370

I mistakenly tagged that one with High Sierra and can't change it so I've reposted it here.]

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Oct 11, 2019 1:47 PM

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Answer 1

mhutson Author

Level 1

45 points

Oct 11, 2019 6:08 PM in response to John Galt

Just the default Apple wired earbuds. I had also tried a nearly identical set from another manufacturer that didn't work. However, I just tried a third pair and they worked (although the input is barely audible even at full volume), so maybe it was a headphone thing.

Interestingly, without the third pair plugged in, I have "MacBook Pro Microphone" as an input option, and with them plugged in I also have "External Microphone" as an option, but when I tried the same experiment on another MacBook Pro with touchbar running 10.14.6 (just like this one), the option when they're not plugged in is "Internal Microphone" (which never appears on the first computer), and meanwhile the "MacBook Pro Microphone" option never appears. The weird naming made this problem very hard to debug online.

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

155,588 points

Oct 11, 2019 5:09 PM in response to mhutson

What kind of earbuds? How are they connected? Wired? Wireless? Bluetooth? Did you try contacting its manufacturer?

Generally speaking you can use a generic USB or Bluetooth headset, AirPods, those sorts of devices, but lacking any information regarding what you're using it is not possible to provide even general assistance.

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Can't use earbuds as sound input

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