Audacity Forum

Rename then anything you want, just so you can tell which version you see when you go to Security and Privacy > Privacy > Microphone.

I've got multiple versions of Audacity on my Mac for testing purposes and this is what I've done so I can tell them apart.

Have you already named your versions (for example) "Audacity 2.4.2"?
-- Bill

Yes, they already show up at 2.3.2 and 2.4.2.

OK, so which version(s) of Audacity have microphone permissions?
-- Bill

Here's an oddity: Something called "Audacity 4" has a microphone permission. That's all that's listed.

BTW, can I ditch Soundflower? I downloaded it a couple of years ago only to use Audacity to record sounds being played on the laptop. Since that can no longer be done, is Soundflower serving any other purpose?

Yes, you can ditch Soundflower if you're no longer using it.

Let's experiment. In Microphone permissions, uncheck "Audacity 4", then start your "Audacity 2.3.3" (since you say that's the one you prefer). What happens?

-- Bill

Unchecking “Audacity 4” made no difference. (BTW it’s Audacity 2.3.2)
Where would “Audacity 4” come from?
Should I ditch my Audacity and download it again?

So when you uncheck "Audacity 4" in security preferences (and there are no other Audacity's listed there and checked), then start your preferred version of Audacity, then try to record (using the built-in microphone), you get no message that you need to grant Audacity permission to use the microphone?
-- Bill

Correct, I see no notice that a permission is needed.
How would that occur—in a separate window?

Please try Audacity 2.4.2. See below for my experiments (on Catalina).

TL;DR - pending further experiments, it appears that Audacity versions prior to 2.4.0 can not access the Mac microphone (which appears to mean any audio input device) if an Audacity version 2.4.x is the one that was granted permission.

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I've been playing with this and the behaviour seems complicated. I keep the microphone privacy preferences (I'll call it "prefs" from now on) open so I can experiment.

I have two instances of "Audacity" in prefs, but I've figured out which one to check and uncheck.

If none of them are checked and I start Audacity 2.4.2 and attempt to record I get a flat line and no message about needing permission to use the microphone.

If I stop recording then check the correct instance of Audacity in prefs I get the message "Audacity will not have access to your microphone until it is quit" so I click the Quit Now button.

I start Audacity 2.4.2 again and now I can record.

I quit Audacity 2.4.2 and start Audacity 2.3.2. I start recording and get a flat line. Note that Audacity is checked in prefs. So I uncheck Audacity in prefs and I get the message "Audacity will have access to your microphone until it is quit". This is weird since it appears Audacity does not have access to the microphone. Anyway, I click "Quit now".

I start Audacity 2.3.2 again and record. Flat line as expected. I check Audacity in prefs and get the message "Audacity will not have access to your microphone until it is quit" so I click the Quit Now button again.

I start Audacity 2.3.2 again and record. Still a flat line.

I quit Audacity 2.3.2 and start Audacity 2.4.2 and record. It works.

I quit Audacity 2.4.2, start Audacity 2.4.1 and record. It works.

I quit Audacity 2.4.1, start Audacity 2.4.0 and record. It works.

I quit Audacity 2.4.0, start Audacity 2.3.3 and record. It does not work.

-- Bill