First launch & permissions
The first time you open mixr, it walks you through a short setup. This page explains what to expect — especially the one permission mixr asks for, and why.
The permission mixr needs
To give each app its own volume, mixr needs permission to see your system audio. macOS will show a prompt asking for this.
What this permission is: it lets mixr observe the audio your apps are playing, so it can adjust each one’s level.
What it is not: mixr does not record anything, and nothing leaves your Mac. The permission is about seeing audio levels so it can control them — not capturing or sending audio anywhere. mixr has no account, no analytics, and no network telemetry.
mixr explains this before the prompt appears, so you know why you’re being asked before you decide.
If you decline
If you don’t grant the permission, mixr still works in a limited way — it can manage your device priorities, but it can’t give apps individual volumes until you allow it. mixr won’t dead-end you: it explains what’s limited and shows you how to grant the permission in System Settings whenever you’re ready.
You can change this anytime in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Audio.
The rest of setup
After the permission, first launch:
- Asks what matters most to you — a quick question (calls, media, streaming, or just per-app volume) so mixr can tailor a couple of suggestions. It’s optional and you can change it later.
- Shows you the Setup Advisor — mixr reads your actual hardware and tells you what it found, including anything worth knowing about your setup. See: The Setup Advisor
- Offers to launch at login — so mixr’s always ready. Offered, not forced.
Then you’re dropped into mixr, ready to use.
Running setup again
Your hardware changes — you get a new mic, a new interface, new headphones. mixr can take a fresh look anytime; you’ll find your devices and their guidance in the Devices panel, which reflects your current setup.
The whole point of first launch is to get you to working per-app volume in under a minute, honestly — explaining the permission rather than just demanding it.