PipeDown

Support & Help

Need help with PipeDown? Browse the guides below or send us a message using the contact form.

Contact & Support

Send a Message

If you encounter an issue, have a question, or want to request a feature, fill out the form below. We'll reply directly to your email.

How to Uninstall PipeDown

PipeDown is a self-contained macOS menu bar app. Follow these simple steps to completely uninstall it from your system:

  1. Quit PipeDown:
    Click the PipeDown icon in your menu bar to open the popover, then click the Power / Quit button (⏻) in the lower right corner. Alternatively, run: 
    pkill -x PipeDown
    Note: When PipeDown quits, macOS automatically releases all audio taps, and all muted apps return to their normal volume immediately.
  2. Turn Off Launch at Login (if previously enabled):
    Open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions and toggle off or remove PipeDown from "Open at Login".
  3. Remove the Application:
    Open Finder, navigate to your Applications folder, and drag PipeDown.app to the Trash (or press ⌘ + Delete).
  4. Remove Local Settings & Cache (Optional):
    If you want to clear saved preferences (such as your designated call apps and "Never Mute" list), run the following command in Terminal: 
    rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/io.github.inju.PipeDown
    For non-sandboxed / development builds: 
    defaults delete io.github.inju.PipeDown 2>/dev/null || true
rm -f ~/Library/Preferences/io.github.inju.PipeDown.plist

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does PipeDown ask for "System Audio Recording" permission?

macOS requires this permission whenever an app uses Core Audio process taps (AudioHardwareCreateProcessTap). PipeDown uses this tap solely to calculate real-time peak loudness for visual level meters and to apply muting filters. Audio is never saved, recorded to disk, or sent anywhere.

Meters aren't moving or muting doesn't work. What should I do?

If you previously clicked "Don't Allow" on the macOS permission prompt, you can grant permission manually:

  1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen & System Audio Recording.
  2. Find PipeDown in the list and toggle the switch to ON.
  3. PipeDown will detect the permission change and resume metering automatically without needing a restart.

Does PipeDown affect Bluetooth audio quality?

No. Standard audio-capture tools often connect an input stream to your output device, which forces AirPods and Bluetooth headsets into low-fidelity "Hands-Free Profile" (call mode). PipeDown uses a private, tap-only aggregate device with no physical input streams, preserving high-quality stereo playback.

Can I mute individual browser tabs?

macOS Core Audio operates at the process level, not the tab level. Therefore, muting Chrome, Safari, or Arc mutes the entire browser. However, clicking the app row in the PipeDown list brings that browser directly to the front so you can find the noisy tab.

Can I exclude specific apps from ever being muted?

Yes. Open PipeDown Settings (gear icon) > Never muted during calls, or right-click any app in the list and select "Never Mute During Calls". Apps on this list will continue playing even while you are speaking in Teams or Zoom.