Help with PathBit.
Most answers are below. For anything else, write with a report attached: it shows exactly what PathBit sees on your Mac.
write tosupport@pathbitapp.com
Send a report
- Open PathBit from the P. in the menu bar.
- Click ··· at the top right of the panel, then Copy Full Report.
- Paste it into your email.
The report lists your output device, its format, the apps CoreAudio reports playing, and recent changes. It contains no audio and no track names. Device names can include your first name (for example "Alex's AirPods Max"), so read it before sending.
Common questions
I can't find PathBit after opening it.
PathBit lives in the menu bar, at the top right of the screen: look for the P. It has no window and no Dock icon. On a MacBook with many menu bar items, it can be hidden behind the camera notch: quit a few other menu bar apps, or hold ⌘ and drag the P. to the right.
Why does PathBit show 48 kHz when my album is 44.1 kHz?
macOS plays everything at the rate set in Audio MIDI Setup, and converts anything at another rate. PathBit shows that output rate. To send a 44.1 kHz album unchanged, set the output to 44.1 kHz (see below), or use a player that sets the rate for each track, such as Audirvāna in exclusive mode.
How do I change the output rate?
Open Audio MIDI Setup (in Applications > Utilities, or from PathBit's ··· menu). Select your device on the left, then choose a rate in Format. PathBit updates as soon as the rate changes.
What does "not visible" mean?
It marks what macOS does not report: the format of the file you play, which stays inside the player, and what your DAC does after it receives the stream. PathBit shows these as not visible rather than guessing.
My DAC drops out when the rate changes.
Some USB DACs reset for a moment when the rate changes, and the player can then fail to reopen them. PathBit flags this as "Dropped after a format change". Look for a firmware update for the DAC, or set a fixed output rate in your player.
My Bluetooth headphones sound muffled.
While an app uses their microphone, Bluetooth headphones switch to a call mode at a low rate, often 16 kHz in mono. End the call, quit the app using the microphone, or choose your Mac's microphone in System Settings > Sound > Input.
How do I get Pro on another Mac, or for my family?
Open the Pro window from PathBit's ··· menu and choose Restore Purchase. Pro follows your Apple Account, and Family Sharing shares it with your family group.
What do I need?
A Mac with macOS 12 or later. On macOS 14 and later, CoreAudio reports the app playing; on earlier versions, PathBit infers it.
How do I remove PathBit?
Quit it from its ··· menu, then move PathBit from Applications to the Trash. It installs nothing else: no driver, no helper.