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How Do I Know Which Application Is Changing My Settings?

I always keep my microphones muted on my Mac, whether it’s the built-in one or the one that comes with the Apple EarBuds. But sometimes I find them ALL (Line In, External Microphone And Built in microphone of my external Bluetooth speakers) reset to 50% without me changing anything. I don’t use Skype or other apps that interfere with the microphone. How do I know whats making those settings change? Is there a terminal command or such for that? And how often should I check back to Mute them?

macOS Sierra 10.12.1
Mac Mini late 2012

Thanks in advance!
-Nassar
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Nassar

Comments: 3 Responses to “How Do I Know Which Application Is Changing My Settings?”

    7 years ago

    It sounds like the microphones are auto-adjusting. Not sure why -- maybe for Siri? Maybe for some other process, like volume adjustment or some sort of function having to do with your external speakers? Or, it could just be macOS doing it. Hard for me to say.
    But why worry about this? Why set the input level of the microphones to anything at all if you aren't using them? What is your purpose in muting them if you aren't using them -- I can understand if you need to do lots of conference calls or something, and are usually an audience member to those calls instead of a talker, but you said you aren't doing anything like that. And software apps that do this usually have their own mute functions anyway.

    Nassar
    7 years ago

    Thanks for the quick reply Gary! I actually have siri disabled too. As for my external Bluetooth speakers I been using them since I bought them about 8 months ago and they NEVER changed any of my settings. Can I know how often macOS does the unmuting? I just like to keep all mysound inputs muted as habit or maybe paranoia. As I also cover my iSight on my MBP too. I heard from credible sources that a cam can be enabled without even the green indicator being on & same goes to microphones.

    7 years ago

    Nassar: I can't answer that as I've never heard of this unmuting problem before. But I've never known someone to do what you are doing. If you are paranoid that someone is listening to you through your microphones, then why would you think that muting them in software would make any difference? I think the tape thing is silly too. Not sure what to say beyond that. Worry about shark attacks and being struck by lightning as they are far more likely to happen.

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