Level 1 (4 points)

How to disable the macOS internal speaker permanently?

Hi, I’m using a multi-PC setup with a KVM.

Often, when I switch to my M4 Mac Mini (2024), the built-in speaker is selected as the default source. The problem is that the built-in speaker has really poor sound quality, which really spoils the fun of using the Mac.

Unfortunately, I’ve had to accept that you can’t adjust HDMI and DisplayPort volume in macOS without additional software—and this is in 2026.

Sadly, most programs cost money to set up a proper sound output device order.

On Windows or Linux, none of this is a problem!

So is there a way to permanently disable the speaker via software? That would be great. Otherwise, is there a way to cut any traces on the circuit board to eliminate this problem?

Posted on Oct 3, 2026 3:04 AM

6 replies

JaXnPublic Author

Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 3, 2026 3:50 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Unfortunately, not really—I just don't want the system to select the “BuiltInSpeakerDevice” by default.

It doesn't matter whether the internal speaker plays sound or not; the issue is that I have to switch it manually every time.

etresoft

Level 9 (60,836 points)

Oct 3, 2026 5:33 AM in response to JaXnPublic

JaXnPublic wrote:

Hi, I’m using a multi-PC setup with a KVM.

Don't do that.

Sadly, most programs cost money to set up a proper sound output device order.

Have you tried System Settings > Sound?

See Change the sound output settings on Mac - Apple Support

is there a way to cut any traces on the circuit board to eliminate this problem?

What could possibly go wrong?

JaXnPublic Author

Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 3, 2026 6:57 AM in response to etresoft

What other ideas do you have besides using a KVM? Should I buy a fourth PC and install a VNC client on it? xD

According to IOExplorer, the speaker appears to be a Texas Instruments SN012776 chip that has been rebranded for Apple. It looks like it's controlled via I2C; perhaps there are commands to destroy the EEPROM in the hope that macOS will no longer recognize it.

You'd have to be really annoyed to want to take steps like that.

etresoft

Level 9 (60,836 points)

Oct 3, 2026 7:14 AM in response to JaXnPublic

JaXnPublic wrote:

What other ideas do you have besides using a KVM? Should I buy a fourth PC and install a VNC client on it? xD

I'm certainly no fan of VNC. Microsoft's RDP is a far superior protocol with better clients on all platforms. Ironically enough, my worst VNC experience was on Linux.

But Macs simply don't work well with KVMs at all. I don't know what overall problem you're trying to solve with the KVM, but it sounds like the cure is worse than the disease.

According to IOExplorer, the speaker appears to be a Texas Instruments SN012776 chip that has been rebranded for Apple. It looks like it's controlled via I2C; perhaps there are commands to destroy the EEPROM in the hope that macOS will no longer recognize it.

You'd have to be really annoyed to want to take steps like that.

Do you actually need the Mac for whatever you're doing here? Because if you do, it's going to be expensive to replace the one you already have.

JaXnPublic Author

Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 3, 2026 7:17 AM in response to JaXnPublic

What other ideas do you have besides using a KVM? Should I buy a fourth PC and install a VNC client on it? xD

According to IOExplorer, the speaker appears to be a Texas Instruments SN012776 (modified TAS2764) chip that has been rebranded for Apple. It looks like it's controlled via I2C; perhaps there are commands to destroy the EEPROM in the hope that macOS will no longer recognize it.

You'd have to be really annoyed to want to take steps like that.

Urquhart1244

Level 10 (152,038 points)

Oct 3, 2026 3:21 AM in response to JaXnPublic

When you mute the Mac, it stays muted until you unmute or increase the sound volume. Would that help?

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256369533