Essential Mac Apps

BlackHole

Free virtual audio driver for Mac that routes sound between apps with zero added latency.

Alternative toLoopback
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BlackHole is a virtual audio loopback driver for macOS. It adds an audio device that apps can play into and record from, so sound passes from one app to another with no extra driver latency.

Set BlackHole as the output in one app and as the input in another, and the audio flows across. Common uses are sending Logic Pro or GarageBand into Zoom, FaceTime or Google Meet, and recording system audio in a DAW or Audacity. To keep hearing the sound while you record, build a Multi-Output Device in Audio MIDI Setup that includes your speakers and BlackHole. Ready-made installers come in 2, 16 and 64 channel versions.

It suits streamers, podcasters, musicians and anyone who records calls. BlackHole has no app window; you set it up in Audio MIDI Setup and in each app's audio settings. It does not use a kernel extension or need changes to system security.

BlackHole is made by Existential Audio. The source code is GPL-3.0, while the official installers and the BlackHole name and logo remain the company's property. It works on macOS 10.10 and later, on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Frequently asked questions

Is BlackHole free?

Yes. The download page offers an optional donation of $5, $10 or $20 with an option to skip it, and the link arrives by email or through the Discord server. Installing through Homebrew is also free.

Is BlackHole safe and open source?

The source code is open under GPL-3.0 on GitHub. The driver runs as a Core Audio plug-in in /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL and needs no kernel extension. Developers who want to ship it in a non-GPL project need a license from Existential Audio.

How do I install BlackHole?

Get the installer from existential.audio, close any audio apps, open the package and restart if asked. With Homebrew, run brew install --cask blackhole-2ch, or use blackhole-16ch or blackhole-64ch for more channels.

What macOS version does BlackHole need?

BlackHole works on macOS 10.10 Yosemite and later, on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

How does BlackHole compare to Loopback?

Loopback is a paid app from Rogue Amoeba with a visual window for combining apps and input devices into virtual devices, with channel routing and monitoring built in. BlackHole gives you the virtual device for free, but you do the routing yourself in Audio MIDI Setup and in each app's settings.

How do I uninstall BlackHole?

Run the uninstaller package for your version from existential.audio. To remove it by hand, delete BlackHole2ch.driver (or the 16ch or 64ch version) from /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL, then restart Core Audio with sudo killall -9 coreaudiod.

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