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Fix OBS Studio Microphone Permission Issues on macOS Hackintosh

#hackintosh #obs #microphone #permissions

blog: from Jervi-writes

If you're using OBS Studio on macOS (especially Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia or Tahoe) and the microphone permission prompt never appears - meaning OBS doesn't show up in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone — this guide is for you.

This problem is particularly frequent on Hackintosh setups due to TCC database quirks, unsigned apps or strange launch behavior. Below are the two most effective workarounds: a quick Terminal trick and a more polished Automator launcher that keeps the proper OBS icon in the Dock.

1. Quick Check: Try the Normal Way First

Before anything else:

  • Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone
  • If OBS is listed (even unchecked): uncheck it, then quit OBS completely (Cmd+Q)
  • Reopen OBS normally
  • Immediately add an Audio Input Capture source and select your microphone

If the prompt still doesn’t appear and OBS is not listed → continue.

2. Method A: Launch OBS via Terminal (Most Common Fix)

This often forces the permission dialog to appear.

  1. Open Terminal (Spotlight → Terminal)
  2. Run this exact command: 
open /Applications/OBS.app/Contents/MacOS/OBS
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  1. As soon as OBS opens → quickly add an Audio Input Capture source and select your microphone
  2. macOS should now show a permission prompt. It might say Terminal or sh is requesting access → click Allow
  3. Go back to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. You should now see Terminal, sh, or sometimes OBS listed. Make sure it’s checked.

Note about the Dock icon: When launched this way, the Dock usually shows the Terminal icon instead of the OBS icon. This is normal for this one-time fix. Once permission is granted, you can close OBS and launch it normally (double-click the OBS.app icon) for future use — the permission should stick.

Quick test:

  • Restart OBS normally
  • Add Audio Input Capture → speak → check if green audio bars move

If this works → you’re done!

If you want a cleaner launch experience with the proper OBS icon every time → use Method B.

3. Method B: Create an Automator Launcher with Proper OBS Icon

This creates a small custom app that launches OBS correctly (with its own icon in the Dock) while still helping trigger the permission prompt.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Open Automator (Applications → Automator or Spotlight search)
  2. Choose File > New → select Application → click Choose
  3. In the left sidebar, search for Run Shell Script and drag it into the workflow area
  4. In the script box paste: 
open /Applications/OBS.app/Contents/MacOS/OBS
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  1. Click File > Save, name it e.g. OBS Launcher, save it to Applications or Desktop
  2. (Optional but recommended) Give it the real OBS icon:
    • Right-click original OBS.app → Get Info
    • Click the icon in the top-left corner → press Cmd + C
    • Right-click your new OBS Launcher.app → Get Info
    • Click its icon → press Cmd + V → close window
  3. Drag OBS Launcher.app to your Dock
  4. (Optional) Remove the original OBS icon from the Dock to avoid confusion

Usage

  • Click your new OBS Launcher icon in the Dock
  • It should open OBS with the correct OBS icon visible
  • Immediately add an Audio Input Capture source → select microphone
  • Allow the permission prompt when it appears
  • After granting access, you can usually switch back to launching the original OBS.app normally

4. If Nothing Triggers the Prompt – Reset Microphone Permissions

Easy option (recommended):

  • Download TCC Transparency or TCC Manager (search GitHub or Hackintosh forums for latest version)
  • Use it to reset Microphone permissions
  • Reboot
  • Launch OBS (preferably via your new launcher) → add mic source → prompt should appear

Terminal option (may require SIP disabled on some macOS versions):

tccutil reset Microphone
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After reset, try launching OBS again and adding the mic source.

Hackintosh-Specific Notes

  • Make sure you’re using the correct OBS build (Intel or Apple Silicon) for your setup
  • Ventura/Sonoma/Sequoia/Tahoe often have stricter TCC behavior → the Terminal or Automator methods usually bypass the issue
  • After permission is granted → restart OBS once more and test in a simple scene

Quick Action Plan

  1. Try normal launch + add mic source
  2. Use Terminal command → grant permission (fastest fix)
  3. Create Automator launcher with OBS icon for daily use
  4. Reset TCC if still no prompt
  5. Test audio bars → enjoy streaming/recording!

Many Hackintosh users have gotten OBS mic working with exactly these steps. If you try them, let me know your macOS version and what happened (especially after the Terminal launch) — I can refine the advice further.

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