"Why can't OBS capture system audio on Mac?"

"macOS does not allow apps to access system audio output by default. OBS on Mac can record your microphone but not what is playing through your speakers. You need a virtual audio driver to route system audio into OBS as a capture source."

"How do I add game audio to OBS on Mac?"

"Install a virtual audio driver like Soundshine or BlackHole, then add it as an Audio Input Capture source in OBS. Soundshine takes about 30 seconds to set up. BlackHole is free but requires creating an aggregate audio device first, which takes 20 to 30 steps."

"Does OBS have a built-in way to capture Mac audio?"

"OBS on Mac gained a macOS screen capture source in recent versions that can include audio from specific apps or the display. It is functional but less flexible than a virtual audio driver, and it requires granting screen recording permission."

"Will my microphone and game audio both go into the stream?"

"Yes. In OBS, you add separate sources: your microphone as one Audio Input Capture source, and the virtual mic (Soundshine) as another. OBS mixes them together. You can adjust levels for each independently in the OBS Audio Mixer."

How to Stream Game Audio on Mac to Twitch or YouTube

You set up OBS on your Mac to stream to Twitch or YouTube. Your webcam is working. Your microphone is working. You start the stream, play a game or some music, and realize your viewers hear silence. OBS captured your voice but none of the game audio.

This is a macOS-specific problem, and it has a straightforward fix.

Why OBS Cannot Hear Your Game Audio on Mac

macOS keeps system audio output and microphone input completely separate. When you play a game or music, that audio goes to your speakers or headphones. OBS only has access to audio input devices (microphones). There is no built-in bridge between the two.

Windows handles this differently. Windows has WASAPI loopback capture, which lets apps read from the audio output stream. That is why OBS on Windows has “Desktop Audio” as an easy option in audio settings. macOS simply does not have an equivalent.

Without a virtual driver, game audio never reaches OBS. Soundshine bridges the gap.

The Fix: Virtual Audio Driver

A virtual audio driver creates a new input device on your Mac that captures system audio instead of a physical microphone. OBS treats it like any other microphone, so you can add it as an audio source and capture game audio, music, or whatever is playing on your Mac.

Method 1: Soundshine (30 Seconds, $7.99)

Soundshine is a Mac menu bar app with a lightweight virtual audio driver. Toggle it on, and your system audio becomes available as “Soundshine Microphone” in OBS.

Download and install Soundshine
Click the menu bar icon and turn Soundshine on
In OBS, go to your scene and click the + button under Sources
Add an Audio Input Capture source
Name it (e.g., “Game Audio”) and select “Soundshine Microphone” as the device
Your game audio now shows up in the OBS Audio Mixer

Your physical microphone stays as a separate source. In OBS you can see and adjust both levels independently. Turn Soundshine off when the stream ends and your system audio returns to speakers only.

One thing to check: if you are streaming music, make sure you have the rights or use a royalty-free music service. Twitch and YouTube can mute VODs or issue copyright strikes for music used without a license.

Method 2: BlackHole (Free)

BlackHole accomplishes the same thing for free, with more configuration.

Install BlackHole 2ch from existential.audio
Open Audio MIDI Setup (Applications, Utilities)
Create a Multi-Output Device combining BlackHole and your regular speakers
Set your Mac system output to that Multi-Output Device
In OBS, add BlackHole 2ch as an Audio Input Capture source

The same volume key limitation applies: with a Multi-Output Device as your system output, the keyboard volume keys stop controlling speaker volume. There is also the 20 to 30 step setup process. Once done, it works.

Method 3: OBS macOS Screen Capture (Built-In, Limited)

Recent versions of OBS include a macOS Screen Capture source that can include audio from specific apps or your display’s audio output. It works for some use cases.

Go to Sources, add macOS Screen Capture, and look for the audio capture options in the source properties. You may be able to capture audio from a specific app without a separate driver.

Limitations: it requires screen recording permission, can be finicky with audio from protected content (streaming services), and does not give you the same consistent level control that a virtual driver does. For casual streaming it may be sufficient.

OBS Audio Setup Once You Have a Virtual Mic

With Soundshine running, your OBS audio section might look like this:

Mic/Aux: your physical microphone
Audio Input Capture (Game Audio): Soundshine Microphone

In the OBS Audio Mixer, you can set levels for both. For streaming, game audio typically sits around 70 to 80 percent of max, with your voice louder.

If you use a desk mic, make sure Soundshine is NOT selected as your OBS microphone input. Soundshine and your physical mic should be separate sources.

Download Soundshine free and test it before streaming. Start OBS, add Soundshine as an audio source, and confirm game audio shows up in the mixer before going live. Setup takes about 30 seconds. The full version is $7.99 one-time.

For routing audio on calls instead of streams, the same virtual mic approach works in Zoom, Discord, and Teams.