Mac has a built-in feature to restrict access to apps for various resources such as camera, microphone, etc. These restrictions are a good way to improve your privacy and security on your Mac. However, sometimes you may need to give an app access to a restricted resource like your microphone. Applications like Whatsapp require access to your microphone to deliver the best user experience. In this article, we will explore different methods to allow Whatsapp access to your microphone on Mac.
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The Challenge of Allowing Whatsapp Access to Microphone on Mac
Mac has become a popular choice for professionals and personal use. The built-in features to restrict the access of apps to various resources is a great way to keep your privacy and security in check. But sometimes even after disabling the privacy settings, some applications still struggle to access the resources like microphone, camera, location, etc. This can be annoying and might also impede the user experience.
Whatsapp is no exception and requires access to the microphone to record and send voice messages. If the microphone access is restricted, you can face problems while communicating with Whatsapp. The challenge is to allow Whatsapp to access the microphone on Mac.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before jumping into the methods to allow Whatsapp access to your microphone on your Mac, there are a few things you should prepare for:
1. Check your Microphone Settings
Before attempting any of the methods, make sure your microphone is properly set up on your Mac. Go to System Preferences > Sound > Input to check if your microphone is selected. If it’s not selected, then select it from the list of available microphones.
2. Restart your Mac
Sometimes just restarting your Mac can fix the issue. Give it a try before trying any of the methods.
3. Close all other applications that might be using the microphone
If there are any other applications that are already using your microphone, close them before attempting any of the methods.
Method 1: Allow Whatsapp to Access Microphone via Security and Privacy Preferences
This method involves changing the security and privacy preferences of your Mac.
Step 1: Go to Apple Menu and click on System Preferences.
Step 2: Click on Security & Privacy.
Step 3: Click on the Privacy tab.
Step 4: From the list of available options, click on Microphone.
Step 5: Find Whatsapp in the list of apps that can access your microphone and check the box next to it.
Step 6: Restart Whatsapp and try recording a voice message to see if the issue is resolved.
Pros:
– Easy and fast method
– Doesn’t require any third-party software
Cons:
– Changing the security preferences can affect the overall security of your Mac.
Method 2: Reset Microphone Access for Whatsapp
This method involves resetting the microphone access for Whatsapp.
Step 1: Open Whatsapp and click on the menu bar.
Step 2: Click on Preferences and then click on Privacy.
Step 3: Click on Reset Microphone Access.
Step 4: Restart Whatsapp and try recording a voice message to see if the issue is resolved.
Pros:
– Easy method
– Can be done within Whatsapp
Cons:
– This might reset the access to other resources as well.
Method 3: Reset PRAM/NVRAM on Mac
This method involves resetting the PRAM/NVRAM on your Mac.
Step 1: Restart your Mac.
Step 2: Press and hold the Option + Command + P + R keys before the gray screen appears.
Step 3: Keep holding the keys until your Mac restarts and you hear the startup sound twice.
Step 4: Release the keys.
Step 5: Try recording a voice message on Whatsapp and check if the issue is resolved.
Pros:
– Might fix the issue if it’s related to PRAM/NVRAM settings.
Cons:
– Can affect the overall settings of your Mac.
Why Can’t I Allow Whatsapp Access to Microphone on Mac?
There could be several reasons why your Mac is not allowing Whatsapp to access your microphone. Below are some possible reasons:
1. Whatsapp is not granted permission to access your microphone
Fix: Go to Security & Privacy > Privacy > Microphone and grant Whatsapp permission to access your microphone.
2. Microphone is not properly set up on your Mac
Fix: Go to System Preferences > Sound > Input and select the microphone you want to use.
3. Microphone is already being used by another application
Fix: Close all other applications that might be using your microphone and try again.
Additional Tips
Here are a few additional tips you can follow to improve your experience while using Whatsapp on your Mac:
1. Use a High-Quality Microphone
Using a high-quality microphone can enhance the voice quality of your recorded messages.
2. Use Headphones
Using headphones can prevent any noise interference in the background and improve the voice quality of your recorded messages.
3. Keep your Mac Software Updated
Keep your Mac software updated to the latest version to avoid any compatibility issues between Whatsapp and your Mac.
5 FAQs About Allowing Whatsapp Access to Microphone on Mac
Q1. How to check if my microphone is working properly on Mac?
A: Go to System Preferences > Sound > Input and see if the input volume moves while you speak. You can also use the Voice Memos app to record and check your microphone.
Q2. Why does Whatsapp require access to my microphone?
A: Whatsapp requires access to your microphone to record and send voice messages.
Q3. How to grant microphone access to all apps on my Mac?
A: Go to Security & Privacy > Privacy > Microphone and check the box next to “Allow apps to access your microphone”.
Q4. How to check if the microphone access for Whatsapp is turned on?
A: Go to Security & Privacy > Privacy > Microphone and see if the box next to Whatsapp is checked.
Q5. Can I use an external microphone with Whatsapp on my Mac?
A: Yes, you can use an external microphone with Whatsapp on your Mac. Connect the microphone to your Mac and select it from System Preferences > Sound > Input.
In Conclusion
So, these were some of the methods you can use to allow Whatsapp access to your microphone on your Mac. Make sure you follow the additional tips to enhance your experience while using Whatsapp. You can also use the FAQs section for any other queries related to allowing Whatsapp access to your microphone on your Mac.