Since OS X 10.11 El Capitan was released to developers about a year ago, I have had intermittent problems when using my beloved Plantronics headset with FaceTime and other VoIP applications. In this post I’ll talk about a bug that makes FaceTime ignore a selected output device when using Wi-Fi calling.
FaceTime Calls
On newer releases of OS X, FaceTime supports a variety of call options, including:
- FaceTime Video: This was the first mode FaceTime supported when it was released a couple of years ago.
- FaceTime Audio: As the name suggests, a Voice over IP (VoIP) call without video.
- iPhone Cellular Calls: Through a feature Apple calls Continuity, you can make and receive regular phones call on your Mac. For this to work, your iPhone needs to be in close proximity to your Mac.
- Wi-Fi Calling: This feature requires support from your mobile provider and allows you to make and receive regular phone calls, even if your iPhone is not in range.
Wi-Fi Calling
Wi-Fi calling routes calls through your regular internet connection. I have used Wi-Fi since it became available on AT&T last year. There is very bad cell service where I live and work, with both AT&T and T-Mobile, but I have a rock-solid internet uplink through Comcast Business. Thanks to Wi-Fi calling I now have perfect cell service and can enjoy crystal clear call quality.
Since OS X started supporting Wi-Fi calling, I could even get rid of my desk phone and instead, I can make and receive all calls directly from my Mac using my Plantronics headset.
Audio Device Selection
Unfortunately, there appears to be a bug in FaceTime that makes it ignore the selected output device (my headset).
There are various places on a Mac where you can configure available audio devices:
- OS-wide: System Preferences —> Audio
- App-specific: i.e. FaceTime —> Video
Under System Preferences you can select the audio devices the operating system uses by default. But apps can override those general audio settings and use different audio devices.
I have usually the built-in devices (iMac microphone and speaker) selected in System Preferences but for VoIP apps like Skype or FaceTime, I have selected my Plantronics headset. Those settings work well and without any issues for Skype and for most call modes in FaceTime. In other words, FaceTime Video, Audio and iPhone Cellular Calls work with whatever output device I have selected in FaceTime’s preferences.
Bug in FaceTime
However, for Wi-Fi calls, FaceTime always defaults to the iMac’s built-in speakers, completely ignoring the selected Plantronics output device. Even worse, FaceTime also ignores any choice I may have made under System Preferences. The only way for me to force FaceTime to use my Plantronics headset is to switch to the Plantronics headset under System Preferences, after the Wi-Fi call has been fully established. Unfortunately, FaceTime forgets that choice again after the call has completed and I have to do it all over for the next call. If I select the Plantronics headset as the output device before I establish the call, I have to de- and then re-select it for FaceTime to actually re-direct audio output to my headset.
I could reproduce the issue in the following versions of El Capitan with various headsets connected via USB and Bluetooth.
- 10.11.5 (GA)
- 10.11.6 (Beta, build 15G19a)
I haven’t tried macOS 10.12 Beta 1 yet but I will do that next. I have also filed a bug report with Apple to make sure they’re aware, if they don’t have that issue on their radar yet. In the past, Apple took until version 10.11.4 to fix an audio device disconnect issue that I reported already during the Beta phase. I hope this time it won’t take as long.
If anyone has found a workaround for this annoying issue, I appreciate a comment below!
Update: 10.11.6 Beta (15G26a) seemed to have fixed the issue. I also couldn’t reproduce the problem in macOS 10.12 Beta.
I’m a healthy living and technology enthusiast.
On this blog, I share in-depth product reviews, actionable information and solutions to complex problems in plain and easy-to-understand language.
Recurrence: Macmini9,1 running Big Sur 11.0.1, connected via HDMI to LG TV and via HDMI ARC to Sony amp. Sound, movies, music, etc. plays normally. FaceTime audio out to remote device is fine. Audio in from remote is shunted and doesn’t come out TV>Amp. If I switch System Preferences>Sound>Output from LG TV RVU to Mac mini Speakers I do get the audio through. No setting in FaceTime Preferences and no changes in Audio MIDI Setup affect the problem.
FYI – my issue wound up being not being able to use FaceTime on the MacBook when on VPN. When I turned off VPN, FaceTime calls began working perfectly.
This still happens to me all the time – even today, and I’m on MacOS 10.13.4 (17E202). I have a plethora of audio devices connected to my MacBook Pro at any one time, and FaceTime *constantly* just seems to randomly pick another audio device after I end a call. Sometimes after answering, I even have to go to the menu and select what’s already selected to actually make it use that particular audio source. I’ve reported it in the past, but it’s time to report it again, methinks.
Thanks, this fixed it for me!
Thanks for this article because I was having the same problem. In High Sierra 10.13.2, I found I could select “Use System Setting” in Facetime under Video>Output Setting. It had previously been set to another output that I didn’t want. By selecting “Use System Setting” I was able to use my usual audio output.
Happening with me in 10.13.2 (High Sierra) – having to do the workaround described above. Very annoying. Anyone else found a better way around this yet or had a response from apple?
Seems to be still an issue on 10.13.1
This is still an issue for me with Sierra, 10.12.6
Yes! my immediate workaround is to toggle to internal speaker and back through the button on toolbar
Michael, Thanks for posting this… unfortunately this bug seems to be happening again – and I’m on 10.12.5 – Did Apple have any other advice? I use facetime at work and I can’t make calls suddenly as everyone now hears my calls on full blast. The issue just started happening an hour ago without warning.
Hi Ryan!
I am on macOS 10.12.6 Beta and haven’t had the issue in a long time. Apple never offered a solution and there are still plenty of issues in FaceTime related to Wi-Fi calling, including dropped calls. I am really hoping that macOS 10.13 High Sierra fixed all those little but annoying issues, Apple didn’t have time to fix in 10.12.
I have Platronics Voyager Focus UC on macOS 10.12.6 and the issue still persists =(
“The only way for me to force FaceTime to use my Plantronics headset is to switch to the Plantronics headset under System Preferences, after the Wi-Fi call has been fully established.”
Thanks to your post, I got to know how to force mac to output sound over bluetooth headset.. ^
Stumbled on your blog post because I’m running into the same issue. I hope the fix gets pushed soon!
I’m glad I’m not alone :)
The device selection issue has been fixed in macOS 10.12 Public Beta but now I’m dealing with another issue that leads to calls getting dropped constantly.
Yep, still doing it in Sierra, 10.12.4. Sad really, this is one of the reason’s I use OS X and iPhone….