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Information for: Airfoil for MacAudio HijackLoopbackPiezoSoundSource

Information on Apple Silicon-based Macs and the ACE component

When running SoundSource on an Apple Silicon-based Mac running MacOS 13 or lower, a small amount of one-time setup work is necessary to install the ACE audio handling component, which enables the capture of audio. To install ACE, Apple requires that the machine’s Startup Security Policy to be changed from the default “Full Security” setting to “Reduced Security”.

This “Reduced Security” setting is still extraordinarily secure (Apple wouldn’t provide it if it weren’t). Your Mac will still prevent unsigned operating systems and unsafe software from running. The adjustment simply gives you the option to allow third party system extensions, like ACE, on a case-by-case basis.

This screenshot comes from our walk-through article for installing ACE. It shows the Mac’s Startup Security Utility in the Recovery system, with the necessary changes.

As noted above, these settings are still quite secure. Any extension still requires approval and authorization by you, the user. Nothing can be installed on your Mac without your permission.

Once ACE is installed, you’ll be able to use our tools and your Mac will remain secure.