How to Easily Switch Audio Sources in Ubuntu Linux

One minor annoyance I encounter with Ubuntu is when I have to switch the audio output source.

I know the process is not complicated. You go to Settings and then to Sound Settings and here you can choose the input and output devices for the sound.

sound settings ubuntu
Sound Settings in Ubuntu

Not exactly a rocket science, right? And yet, it takes several clicks to reach to that settings.

If you want to simplify the process and save a few clicks, you can install an applet indicator that allows you to switch the audio source right from the top menu.

sound switcher in Ubuntu

This is helpful if you connect your laptop to a monitor via HDMI or via a docking station. The audio sources gets changed automatically and you have to manually select it again.

There are several such plug-ins available but I am going to mention just two of them here.

Use Sound Switcher Indicator

Sound Switcher Indicator is an applet indicator developed by Dmitry Kann. The purpose of the applet indicator is very simple, it lets you switch between different audio sources such as integrated speakers, headphone and HDMI in two mouse clicks.

Open a terminal and use the following commands one by one to install Sound Switcher Indicator in Ubuntu:

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:yktooo/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install indicator-sound-switcher

Once installed, search for Sound Switcher in the system menu and start it.

start sound switcher

It adds an icon on the top panel that you can quickly access to select the audio sources.

sound switcher

It is automatically added to the list of startup applications. This means that it will be run automatically when you turn on the system in future.

It also allows you to rename the audio sources so that you can easily distinguish them from similar sounding names.

Remove Sound Switcher indicator

If this applet indicator does not work or meet your expectations, you can remove it easily.

In a terminal, use the following command to remove it:

sudo apt remove indicator-sound-switcher

Now remove the PPA as well:

sudo apt-add-repository -r ppa:yktooo/ppa

Using GNOME Extensions to switch audio sources

One of the most common ways to to customize Ubuntu and enhance its capabilities is to use GNOME Extensions. This is valid for the default Ubuntu version that uses GNOME desktop environment.

I hope you know how to use GNOME Extensions. I am not going in details here. Use the following command to enable the extension support to your system:

sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell gnome-shell-extension-prefs

Now, visit the page of Sound Input & Output Device Chooser GNOME extension. You’ll see a switch. Just toggle it on. You have to install the browser extension first, you’ll be prompted for that.

audio source gnome extension

Open the GNOME Extensions apps to enable this extension:

enable sound source switcher extension
Enable the extension from the GNOME Extensions app

You’ll see that the system menu in the top panel is changed slightly. When you click on it, you’ll see the options to select between available audio input and output devices.

sound input output device chooser

There are several other GNOME extensions that provide similar feature. You can search for it on the GNOME Extensions website to find options like Audio Output Switcher.

I hope you find this nifty trick helpful in switching the audio sources on Ubuntu.

About the author
Abhishek Prakash

Abhishek Prakash

Created It's FOSS 11 years ago to share my Linux adventures. Have a Master's degree in Engineering and years of IT industry experience. Huge fan of Agatha Christie detective mysteries πŸ•΅οΈβ€β™‚οΈ

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