How to play stereo sound as mono on a Mac
2 min read · 3 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open System Settings, click Accessibility, then Audio, and switch on Play stereo audio as mono. The Mac then plays stereo audio tracks as mono audio in the left and right speakers or headphones, so both sides carry the whole sound.
- Device
- Mac
- Shown on
- macOS Tahoe 26
- App
- System Settings
- Path
- System Settings › Accessibility › Audio › Play stereo audio as mono
- Real screenshots
- 3 of 3 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
Stereo music puts some instruments or voices on the left and others on the right. With one earbud in, or with hearing in one ear, part of the sound is missing. Mono sends everything to both sides.
The screenshots show System Settings on macOS Tahoe 26.
Step by step
Open System Settings
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.
Click Accessibility, then Audio
Accessibility is in the sidebar. Audio is the first row of the Hearing group on the right.
Switch on Play stereo audio as mono
It is the second switch on the page. In the picture it is off.
Good to know
The system volume and the output device are in Sound settings. The Sound Settings button further down the page opens them.
In short: System Settings, Accessibility, Audio, Play stereo audio as mono.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.