Hi all, I'm the developer of Roadie, a small menu bar app for macOS.
The moment that pushed me to build it: I was on a call with my USB interface mic selected, my AirPods reconnected in my pocket, and macOS silently moved both input and output to them. Nobody could hear me and I couldn't hear them. macOS always picks the most recently connected device, and there's no built-in way to say "prefer this one."
How it works
Trust and limitations
Details
What I'd like to hear about
I'd especially like to know how it holds up with AirPods that reconnect on their own, Studio Displays, USB-C docks, audio interfaces, and conferencing apps like Zoom or Teams that override the system device. If you have a device that reconnects unpredictably, tell me what it is and what you'd expect Roadie to do.
The moment that pushed me to build it: I was on a call with my USB interface mic selected, my AirPods reconnected in my pocket, and macOS silently moved both input and output to them. Nobody could hear me and I couldn't hear them. macOS always picks the most recently connected device, and there's no built-in way to say "prefer this one."
How it works
- You keep two separate priority lists, one for microphones and one for speakers.
- Whenever devices connect or disconnect, Roadie restores the highest-priority device that's currently available.
- Devices you never want (a display's built-in mic, a webcam speaker) go on an avoided list and are never selected.
- The menu bar icon shows the current routing, and you can switch devices from there.
Trust and limitations
- Roadie does not record or process audio. It only changes which device is the system default.
- It does not need microphone permission and will never appear in the orange-dot indicator.
- All routing happens locally on your Mac. The only network traffic is the trial/licence check; there are no accounts and no behavioral analytics.
- The current early-access build is not notarized. On first launch you'll need to right-click the app and choose Open, or use "Open Anyway" in Privacy & Security. Signed builds are the first thing early sales will fund.
Details
- macOS 13 or later, Apple Silicon and Intel
- 7-day free trial, then $9.99 one-time
- https://getroadie.vercel.app/
What I'd like to hear about
I'd especially like to know how it holds up with AirPods that reconnect on their own, Studio Displays, USB-C docks, audio interfaces, and conferencing apps like Zoom or Teams that override the system device. If you have a device that reconnects unpredictably, tell me what it is and what you'd expect Roadie to do.
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