How to mute your microphone on a Mac

There's no mute key for the microphone on a Mac. Depending on the app and the moment you have a few options, and only some of them work everywhere.

Your options

1. 1

   The call app's own button or shortcut. It works only in that app, and only while that app is in front.

2. 2

   System Settings, Sound, Input. Dragging the input level to zero isn't a real mute on every mic, and apps can raise it again.

3. 3

   A global shortcut with Muffle. One key mutes the microphone itself, in every app.

4. 4

   Your AirPods. With Muffle, pressing the stem mutes any call, including Google Meet in Chrome.

• The Muffle menu bar icon turns red while the mic is off, whatever app you're in.
• Quitting Muffle always turns your microphone back on.

Questions

Is there a built-in microphone mute on a Mac?

Not a system-wide one. macOS only mutes the mic inside apps that support it. Muffle adds a real system-wide mute.

Does muting in Muffle mute every app?

Yes. Muffle switches off every microphone at the hardware level, so no app can hear you until you unmute.