MicStay Support

Keep the microphone you chose, even when macOS tries to change it.

Need a hand? Email support@aojdevstudio.me and include your macOS version and what you expected to happen. I read every message.

Getting started

  1. Open MicStay from the menu-bar icon (it lives in the menu bar, not the Dock).
  2. On first launch, pick the microphone you want to keep as your default input.
  3. That's it. If anything, an app, a new device, AirPods, or your iPhone, changes your default input, MicStay switches it right back within a second or two.

Common questions

Does MicStay record or listen to my microphone?

No, never. It only changes which device is the system default input. There is no recording, and macOS never shows a microphone-permission prompt because there is nothing to capture.

AirPods keep grabbing my mic. Will this stop it?

Yes. That is exactly what MicStay is for. Pin your preferred mic and MicStay restores it whenever AirPods, Continuity, or a newly connected device takes over.

I need to use a different mic for a minute.

Use Pause in the menu. It stops pinning temporarily and auto-resumes when your pinned mic reconnects, after an hour, or when you resume it manually. Or just pick a different device from the menu to pin that one instead.

My pinned mic unplugged. What happens?

MicStay waits quietly and re-pins it the moment it comes back. It will not thrash trying to set a device that is not there.

What is MicStay Pro?

A one-time in-app purchase that adds the same pinning for your default output device, so your speakers or headphones stay put too. Everything else is free.

Does it start automatically?

Only if you turn on "Launch at Login" in Settings. It is off by default.

What macOS version do I need?

macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later.