New AirPods Pro Firmware Introduces Spatial Audio Support and Automatic Switching

[David Rodgers]

One of the few reasons why I switched from the Powerbeats Pro was for spatial audio and ANC, ANC has been awesome in my loud work environment(beats noise isolation wasn’t bad either by any means) now I just got the update and tested it on Apple TV plus... holy s*** it’s epic! Just turn your head left or right and the sound stays locked onto one area, moving the phone about is a little more janky for me but the audio is unbelievably immersive! ANC seems to breeze my fan now where before there was the most minute noise it’s all gone now, seriously this tech is bonkers!

 

[Homme]

Same thing for me. I do have an old iPad Pro 9.7”, maybe that’s the reason I’m not seeing it?

spatial audio for iPads is for iPads released in 2018 or later according to the iPadOS14 preview

I love it. Works great on a new ish iPad. No option for the iPhone 6S.

Although, only seems to work with the Apple TV app. Has anyone tried any other apps?

I am guessing my OG SE is too old for Spatial Audio to work. Will have to wait until iOS 14 is released to try it on my iPad Pro.

Spatial audio for iOS is for A10 Devices and later so yes 6S/SE 1st gen don’t get the feature

 

[maj88]

Does anyone know if spatial audio works on the iPad Pro 10.5? I am running the latest iPadOS 14 and the latest firmware on my AirPods Pro but not seeing the spatial audio button or hearing any difference. Sorry if its been asked already- could have overlooked it if it was. Thanks

Same setup here. Not working.

 

[macsound1]

You can turn off auto switching in settings from the Bluetooth menu. I haven’t tested it enough to know how much it switches.

I assumed there was a way to turn it off, I guess it would just be a cool feature if you could figure out a slick way of handing off specific things. Like stay with previous device until idle or for an audio message or youtube only. The granular control Apple won't give you so you'll be stuck with just audio handoff or not.

 

[wouwout]

why would you want the sound to be focused on your device, and not have it immersive all around you (spatially)

 

[wouwout]

One of the few reasons why I switched from the Powerbeats Pro was for spatial audio and ANC, ANC has been awesome in my loud work environment(beats noise isolation wasn’t bad either by any means) now I just got the update and tested it on Apple TV plus... holy s*** it’s epic! Just turn your head left or right and the sound stays locked onto one area, moving the phone about is a little more janky for me but the audio is unbelievably immersive! ANC seems to breeze my fan now where before there was the most minute noise it’s all gone now, seriously this tech is bonkers!

Confused. Is the sound focused around the TV, or around you and locked into that 'position'?

 

[CoronaOnTap]

why would you want the sound to be focused on your device, and not have it immersive all around you (spatially)

You're always welcome to turn it OFF.

 

[Apple_Robert]

spatial audio for iPads is for iPads released in 2018 or later according to the iPadOS14 preview





Spatial audio for iOS is for A10 Devices and later so yes 6S/SE 1st gen don’t get the feature

I just tried on my SE 2020 and didn’t get the option. Must be because it is the budget model and doesn’t support Dolby? I look forward to testing it on my iPad Pro 2020 when iPad OS 14 is released.

 

[Homme]

I just tried on my SE 2020 and didn’t get the option. Must be because it is the budget model and doesn’t support Dolby? I look forward to testing it on my iPad Pro 2020 when iPad OS 14 is released.

SE 2020 supports spatial audio, though I don’t know why you don’t have it on yours paired with an AirPods Pro

 

[gigapocket1]

Could iOS 14 be released tomorrow?

 

[Apple_Robert]

SE 2020 supports spatial audio, though I don’t know why you don’t have it on yours paired with an AirPods Pro

I used the AppleTV app and started watching Lasso and didn’t see any option for spatial in control center nor did I see it listed in BT.

Edited to add: Never mind. I forgot I removed iOS 14 from the SE over the weekend. Lol Sorry about that.

 

[RedlegsFan]

I have Apple TV plus... and Apple Music.. what is some good content to test on? Will it work with tracks on Apple Music.. or only video.. and if video.. certain video? All video?

 

[yukari]

So does spatial audio work on iPhone XR?
If so, what settings are required?

I am running dev. beta 8, but I don't see any spatial audio option.

 

[mattdeezy]

So it works with disney+? Keen to see if you get spacial audio on Hamilton.

 

[ouimetnick]

Does anyone know if spatial audio works on the iPad Pro 10.5? I am running the latest iPadOS 14 and the latest firmware on my AirPods Pro but not seeing the spatial audio button or hearing any difference. Sorry if its been asked already- could have overlooked it if it was. Thanks

It doesn’t show up on my iPhone 6S Plus running iOS 14 beta. I haven’t updated my daily driver (iPhone XS Max) to iOS 14 yet. I also have a iPad Pro 10.5”, and I’m starting to think that maybe this special spatial audio is only for newer devices like maybe the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPad Pro (with FaceID)

 

[Zadillo]

I have Apple TV plus... and Apple Music.. what is some good content to test on? Will it work with tracks on Apple Music.. or only video.. and if video.. certain video? All video?

Someone recommended Greyhound, around the 34 minute mark, so I tried that - and yeah, pretty mind-blowing. like others have mentioned, I needed to check and make sure the audio wasn't coming from my speakers, cause it did not sound like they were right in my ears.

So it works with disney+? Keen to see if you get spacial audio on Hamilton.

Yup, try it with the Mandalorian especially

 

[mattdeezy]

Mandalorian!! Can't wait to try that.

 

[tosbsas]

So does spatial audio work on iPhone XR?
If so, what settings are required?

I am running dev. beta 8, but I don't see any spatial audio option.

did you update your Pro's?

 

[ouimetnick]

spatial audio for iPads is for iPads released in 2018 or later according to the iPadOS14 preview





Spatial audio for iOS is for A10 Devices and later so yes 6S/SE 1st gen don’t get the feature

iPad Pro 10.5 uses an A10X soc, so it seems Apple has chosen to limit it to newer devices. Is the iPhone XS/XS Max supported? That’s my newest iOS device (and daily iPhone) and I haven’t bothered to install a beta on my primary device.

 

[kesennnnn]

Anyone on iOS 14 able to verify?

Whenever I toggle Spatial Audio on, it says "This content isn't supported by spatial audio"

Also auto switching doesn't seem to work - unless I misunderstand the concept. I play media on my phone when the AirPods are connected to my laptop and nothing changes.

I’m watching defending Jacob now with Spatial audio. I didn’t think it was on and then the sound effect of a door opened and I thought someone opened my apartment door lol.

 

[gkasot]

Must admit that the technology is pretty impressive! Really creates an immersive, home-theater-on-your-lap kind of experience...

But also there is at least a 1-2” lag when you move the device (e.g. iPad, iPhone) for the source of the sound to change direction, as opposed to when you rotate your head.

Also confirm that anything from Apple TV+, iTunes, HBO Max and Disney+ that supports 5.1/7.1/Atmos supports spatial audio already. You can easily check for yourself two ways: either by turning your head left or right, and seeing if the central channel (ie the voices from the main actors change direction; or by pulling down the AirPods Pro menu, and verifying that the three spatial audio bubbles (one on either side of the head and the one above) are all moving.

Outstanding work Apple!!!

Hope Netflix will soon support too...

 

[Jdd8]

It doesn’t show up on my iPhone 6S Plus running iOS 14 beta. I haven’t updated my daily driver (iPhone XS Max) to iOS 14 yet. I also have a iPad Pro 10.5”, and I’m starting to think that maybe this special spatial audio is only for newer devices like maybe the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPad Pro (with FaceID)

Yeah, looks like the 10.5" is not supported as reported by some other users. After more digging, I found this on the iPadOS 14 Preview Page: "Works with AirPods Pro. Requires iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation) and later, iPad Pro 11‑inch, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad (6th generation) and later, or iPad mini (5th generation)."

 

[yukari]

did you update your Pro's?

Yes. My Airpods' firmware is updated to 3A283

 

[BrentC001]

So is anyone getting the update on a public beta?

I'm seeing a couple of commenters saying they've had their AirPods Pro plugged in for a long time, and no update has been pushed. I'm public beta and still on 2D27, plugged in for 2 hours.
[automerge]1600128219[/automerge]

Maybe try this: remove AirPods from your iCloud, reset it, add to iPhone again and put on charger for a while.

Trying this as well.

 

[kuietstorm]

So is anyone getting the update on a public beta?

I'm seeing a couple of commenters saying they've had their AirPods Pro plugged in for a long time, and no update has been pushed. I'm public beta and still on 2D27, plugged in for 2 hours.
[automerge]1600128219[/automerge]

Trying this as well.

I wasn’t getting the update until I performed a hard reboot of my iPhone. Once I did that, both pair of my AirPods Pros updated instantly.