# Loading AU plugins from non-standard locations?

**URL:** <https://forum.juce.com/t/loading-au-plugins-from-non-standard-locations/30047>\
**Category:** General JUCE discussion\
**Created:** [October 26, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://forum.juce.com/t/loading-au-plugins-from-non-standard-locations/30047 "2018-10-26T19:12:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cdevane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5e9695/32.png) [@cdevane](https://forum.juce.com/u/cdevane)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://forum.juce.com/t/loading-au-plugins-from-non-standard-locations/30047/1 "2018-10-26T19:12:59Z")

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Can JUCE be made to load AU plugins from someplace other than ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components or /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components? I’m trying to build and test AU plugins within a corporate testing framework that won’t let me write to those directories. I’m not crazy about the idea of using non-standard locations, but trying to perform due diligence about all options.  
thanks,  
ch

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**Author:** ![alassandro](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/forum.juce.com/alassandro/32/4297_2.png) [@alassandro](https://forum.juce.com/u/alassandro)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://forum.juce.com/t/loading-au-plugins-from-non-standard-locations/30047/2 "2018-10-26T19:22:20Z")

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This is actually more specific to macOS than JUCE

You find AudioUnits through the `AudioToolbox` framework via [`AudioComponentFindNext()`](http://AudioComponentFindNext), which takes an `AudioComponentDescription` rather than a file location

I made a little plugin manager app in JUCE for my own usage once and trying to handle AudioUnit file locations was just not an option