If your Mac keeps switching to PatientNotes Input (Virtual) or PatientNotes Output, and your normal microphone or speakers stop working, the old PatientNotes audio cable tool is still installed. The fix is to uninstall it.
We no longer use the audio cable tool. The PatientNotes desktop app for Mac replaces it — it captures both sides of a telehealth call on its own, with no virtual microphone, and is far more reliable.
Signs the virtual mic is getting in the way
Your microphone dropdown shows PatientNotes Input (Virtual) and keeps going back to it
You see the No Microphone Detected alert, or your recording comes out blank
Your patient can't hear you on Zoom, Teams, Google Meet or Coviu
You can't hear your patient, because your speakers are set to PatientNotes Output
You may know the old tool as the Mac Audio Virtual Cable, Mac Companion Tool or Telehealth for Mac. They're all the same thing, and all of them should be removed.
Step 1: Uninstall the old audio cable tool
Quit the tool. If its icon is in your menu bar or Dock, click it and choose Quit.
Delete it. Open Finder → Applications, find the PatientNotes audio cable tool, and drag it to the Trash. Then empty the Trash.
Restart your Mac. This clears the virtual devices from your sound settings.
Step 2: Set your microphone and speakers back to normal
Open System Settings → Sound.
Under Input, choose your real microphone (e.g. MacBook Microphone, or your headset or AirPods).
Under Output, choose your real speakers or headphones.
In your telehealth app (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, Coviu), open its audio settings and check the microphone and speaker are set to your real devices too. These apps often remember the old PatientNotes settings.
Step 3: Install the PatientNotes desktop app (for telehealth)
If you used the audio cable tool to record telehealth calls, install the desktop app instead. It records your voice and your patient's voice automatically — no virtual mic or audio settings to change.
Full setup guide: Installing the PatientNotes Desktop App (Mac & Windows)
Prefer to stay in the browser? Use Telehealth Audio Capture in Chrome or Edge — it's built into PatientNotes and doesn't need any extra software.
Step 4: Do a quick test
Start a short test session, speak for 10–20 seconds, then play it back. If you can hear yourself clearly (and your patient, for telehealth), you're all set.
Still seeing PatientNotes Input (Virtual)?
If it still appears in your Sound settings after deleting the tool and restarting, chat with us via the help widget inside PatientNotes or email [email protected]. A screenshot of your System Settings → Sound → Input list helps us sort it out quickly.
FAQ
Q: Do I need the audio cable tool for in-person sessions?
A: No. In-person sessions only ever needed your normal microphone.
Q: Will I lose any sessions or notes by uninstalling it?
A: No. The tool only routed audio. Your sessions and notes are stored in your PatientNotes account.
Q: Should I select PatientNotes Input (Virtual) for telehealth?
A: No — that was the old method and is no longer supported. Use the desktop app or Telehealth Audio Capture in Chrome or Edge.