Switch Audio Output

Set a keyboard shortcut for your audio output device

Use this Rule when you often switch to the same speaker, headphones, or display audio device. A keyboard shortcut requests the selected output without opening Control Center and choosing the device manually each time.

When: Press the chosen hotkey, initially Option + Space. Do: Switch Audio Output Device. There is no If Condition. The sample has no device selected, so choosing an output is a required setup step after import rather than an optional customization.

Configure and try it

1. Import with Open this Rule in Rulr and connect the audio device you want to use.
2. Select that device in Switch Audio Output Device. Review the choice on each Mac where you import the Rule, since available devices differ by machine and connection.
3. Assign an unused hotkey. Grant Accessibility access if you need to record a different combination.
4. Start quiet test audio, run the shortcut, and check the selected output in macOS Sound settings. Confirm that sound reaches the intended device. Disconnect it and review how the routine behaves when it is unavailable.

Requirements and limits

The sample’s Trigger and Action are available without Pro. The chosen device must be connected and available to macOS when the Action runs.

This Rule chooses one output device; it does not cycle through a device list, connect Bluetooth headphones, switch microphone input, or set a volume level. It also has no automatic fallback device configured. For applying volume after macOS changes output devices, see Set Headphone Volume.

Can I switch between headphones and speakers?

The imported sample selects one destination. For a separate keyboard shortcut to another output, create a second Rule, select the other connected device, and assign a different hotkey. Connect Bluetooth headphones before requesting them; changing the output is separate from pairing or connecting a device.

For play/pause control instead of choosing an output device, see the Mac media playback control guide. The Mac automation guide covers related audio and system Rules.