---
id: pyobjc-framework-avfoundation
version: "12.2.2"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# pyobjc-framework-AVFoundation — Wrappers for the framework AVFoundation on macOS

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 715.7K/mo

## What it is and what it does

This package wraps Apple's AVFoundation framework for use in Python on macOS, translating Objective-C APIs into Python-callable interfaces. It sits on top of pyobjc-core and four framework dependencies (pyobjc-framework-CoreMedia, pyobjc-framework-CoreAudio, pyobjc-framework-Cocoa, and pyobjc-framework-Quartz) to expose audio capture, video recording, media playback, and related functionality.

Developers use it to build macOS applications that need native media handling—screen recording, audio input/output, video composition, or real-time media processing—without dropping into Objective-C. The package is a thin binding layer; it does not include its own documentation, so you rely on Apple's documentation and PyObjC's translation guides to understand how to call the underlying APIs.

Use it for:

- Build a macOS screen recorder or audio capture utility in Python.
- Create a video editing or composition tool that leverages native AVFoundation codecs.
- Develop a real-time audio processing application using AVFoundation's audio engine.
- Integrate media playback or streaming into a macOS desktop application.
- Access camera and microphone hardware directly for video conferencing or live streaming.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Provides Python bindings to macOS's AVFoundation framework, enabling access to audio, video, and media capabilities through PyObjC.

Yes, if you are developing on macOS and need native audio or video capabilities. The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, and carries a permissive MIT license. Install friction is moderate due to platform and Python version constraints, but that is inherent to any macOS-specific binding. Not applicable on Windows or Linux.

## Install

pip install pyobjc-framework-avfoundation
uv add pyobjc-framework-avfoundation
poetry add pyobjc-framework-avfoundation

## Installing pyobjc-framework-AVFoundation

Before you install: Medium install friction due to platform specificity—wheels are macOS-only and require matching Python versions and architecture. Five runtime dependencies on other PyObjC framework packages add setup complexity. Active maintenance with recent releases.

License in practice: MIT license permits commercial and private use with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for most projects.

Quickstart:

pip install pyobjc-framework-avfoundation
import AVFoundation
# Use AVFoundation classes via the wrapper

macOS only; requires Python 3.10 or later and matching wheel architecture (universal2 or CPU-specific)

Verify before relying:

- Whether AVFoundation bindings cover all current macOS versions or have version-specific gaps.
- Performance characteristics when handling high-bandwidth audio or video streams.
- Completeness of the wrapper relative to the native AVFoundation API surface.

## Package facts

- License: MIT (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: medium
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 715.7K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

macos avfoundation python bindings, audio video capture macos, pyobjc framework wrapper, macos media framework python, avfoundation python wrapper, macos-only, media-framework, pyobjc

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