Android 16’s Audio Sharing: A Convenient Feature Still Facing Compatibility Hurdles
Sharing headphones with a partner can be a romantic gesture, whether it’s for a quiet movie night or a shared musical experience. But, Android 16 introduces a new feature called Audio Sharing that aims to eliminate the need for swapping earbuds altogether. This feature allows users to stream audio to multiple Bluetooth-enabled devices, but its rollout hasn’t been without its challenges.
What is Audio Sharing?
Audio Sharing, a key feature of Android 16, seeks to revolutionize how we share audio. It enables users to broadcast audio from music and streaming services to multiple devices simultaneously, including headphones, speakers and even hearing aids. This functionality is powered by Auracast and Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio.
Device Compatibility: A Mixed Bag
While most modern smartphones running Android 16 support Audio Sharing – specifically devices newer than the Samsung Galaxy S23 or Google Pixel 7 – headphone and earbud compatibility is a significant limitation. Devices must be Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio compatible to participate.
Currently compatible flagship devices include the Pixel Buds Pro 2, Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, and Sony WF-1000XM5. However, older models like the first-generation Pixel Buds Pro and Jabra 85h are not supported. Notably, Audio Sharing does not work with Apple AirPods, a consequence of Apple’s closed ecosystem.
Does Audio Sharing Actually Work?
Initial experiences with Audio Sharing have been inconsistent. Users have reported connectivity issues, even with seemingly compatible devices. Problems range from LE Audio not being enabled by default to difficulties establishing a connection between two LE Audio-compatible earbuds. These issues suggest a need for user experience improvements.
How to Use Audio Sharing
If you have compatible devices, here’s how to use Audio Sharing:
- Connect both pairs of earbuds, headphones, speakers, or hearing aids to your device’s Bluetooth network.
- Go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Audio sharing.
- Toggle the “Share audio” button on.
- Select the devices you want to connect to.
The Future of Audio Sharing
Audio Sharing offers a convenient solution for sharing audio experiences, but its current limitations in compatibility and connectivity hinder its full potential. As the technology matures and more devices adopt Bluetooth LE Audio, Audio Sharing could become a standout feature for Android users. For now, the promise of seamless audio sharing remains somewhat elusive.