Inspect Audio Devices with system_profiler SPAudioDataType

system_profiler's audio data type prints every sound device, its transports, default output/input, and mute state — with -json for scripts.

macOShardwareaudiosystem_profilerLow risk

Run `system_profiler SPAudioDataType` to list audio devices, or add `-json` for machine-readable output.

01Command

Command

$ system_profiler SPAudioDataType

02What it does

Each block shows a device's manufacturer, transport (built-in, USB, Bluetooth), sample rates, and whether it is the current default output or input — useful for diagnosing why audio is playing on the wrong device. Pipe through -json when scripting: `system_profiler -json SPAudioDataType | jq '.SPAudioDataType[0]._items[].coreaudio_device_output'`. For cameras use SPCameraDataType, and full untyped reports are very slow, so always request one data type.

03Risk

RiskLow risk

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

system_profiler — report system configuration (macOS man page)
SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Lists the SPAudioDataType among the supported data types and shows -json output option.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: Media

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