Audio Balance
SwiftUI
Keeps your Mac's left-right audio balance locked where you set it. AirPods and some other devices sometimes drift off-center.
Features
- Locks your output device's left-right balance at the point you choose, and restores it when it drifts 2% or more.
- Runs as a background agent you never see, with no menu bar icon. It keeps working after you close the window or restart.
- Follows your default output device as you switch between AirPods, speakers, and other devices.
- Optional notifications tell you when the balance was restored.
- The settings window shows the current device, its balance, and the last correction.
- Open source, with no data collected and no network connections.
Requirements
macOS 15 Sequoia or later.
Support
Found a bug or have a question? Email jpark@duck.com.
How do I turn it on?
Open Audio Balance, turn it on, and choose the lock point. You can close the window afterward. The background agent keeps the balance locked, even after you restart.
How do I stop it running in the background?
Turn Audio Balance off in the app, or turn it off in System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions.
Why does my balance drift in the first place?
AirPods and some other audio devices can reset or shift the left-right balance when they reconnect. Audio Balance notices when the balance moves 2% or more from your lock point and puts it back.
Does Audio Balance record my audio?
No. It only reads and sets your output device's balance through CoreAudio. It never records or accesses audio content, and it makes no network connections.
Which versions of macOS are supported?
macOS 15 Sequoia or later. On older Macs, try Balance Lock, which inspired Audio Balance and supports macOS 10.12 and later.
Privacy policy
Last updated: 2026-09-29
Audio Balance is a macOS app that keeps your output device's left-right balance locked where you set it. It runs entirely on your Mac and does not collect, store, transmit, or sell any user data.
Data collection
- None. Audio Balance does not collect personal information or identifiers, and has no analytics or telemetry. It makes no network connections.
- Local settings only. Your lock point, notification preference, and the time and device name of the last correction are saved in the app's sandboxed group container on your Mac.
Permissions
- Login Items: the background agent is registered with macOS so it can keep the balance locked after you close the window or restart. You can turn it off in System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions.
- Notifications (optional): used only to tell you when the balance was restored. Notifications are posted locally and can be turned off in the app or in System Settings.
Audio Balance reads and sets the balance of your default output device through CoreAudio. It never records or accesses audio content.
Contact
Questions or concerns: email jpark@duck.com.