Share Audio Over Two Pairs of AirPods

[MacRumors]

Apple's Audio Sharing feature on iPhone and iPad lets you share your device's Bluetooth audio with a second pair of wireless headphones, allowing two of you to listen to the same music together while running, or enjoy a movie on a plane without disturbing those around you, for example. Keep reading to learn how it works.

Device Compatibility

To get started with Audio Sharing in iOS 18 or later, first make sure that the headphones and the iPhone/iPad that you plan to use are compatible with the feature.

According to Apple, Audio Sharing is supported by the following devices:

• iPhone models:
  
  iPhone 8 or later
• iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later

[*]iPad models:

• 
  iPad (5th generation or later)
• iPad mini (5th generation or later)
• iPad Air (3rd generation or later)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation or later)

Next, you'll need one of the following compatible wireless headphones:

• AirPods (all models)
• AirPods Pro (all models)
• AirPods Max
• Beats Fit Pro
• Beats Flex
• Beats Solo Pro

• Beats Solo3 Wireless
• Beats Studio3 Wireless
• BeatsX
• Powerbeats
• Powerbeats Pro
• Powerbeats3 Wireless

How to Use Audio Sharing on iPhone and iPad

Depending on the headphone model, there may be minor differences in the setup process of sharing audio, but they shouldn't diverge too much from the way of doing it with AirPods, which goes like this.

1. With your AirPods connected and in your ears, start playing audio on your iPhone or iPad.
2. If you have the Music app open and showing the media playback controls, tap your AirPods at the bottom of the screen. Alternatively, swipe down for Control Center, then in the audio playback controls panel, tap the icon in the top-right corner representing your connected AirPods.
   Tap Share Audio... below the playback controls.
   
   
   
   You should see a prompt on your device's screen offering to Share Audio. Now, bring your friend's AirPods, inside their case, close to your device, and flip the lid open.
3. When your friend's AirPods are detected, tap Share Audio.
   
   
   
   Hold the button on the back of the AirPods charging case if requested.
   When you've successfully connected, the iPhone or iPad hosting the audio controls the volume level on both pairs of headphones, but both people listening can also use any headphone controls they may have to change volume independently.
   
   

Pro Tip: If you have an Apple TV 4K running tvOS 14 and later, you can also Share Audio over two pairs of wireless headphones. You'll find similar options to those described above in the Apple TV Control Center.

Article Link: Share Audio Over Two Pairs of AirPods

 

[iZac]

Finally, no more sticking someone else's grubby bud into your ear and struggling to listen to something through one ear.

 

[TheDailyApple]

I'm pretty sure this has been around a while (since around 2019 I think).

 

[rohanxlr8]

Really wish this came to Mac, the Audio MIDI Setup workaround isn't the same

 

[Think|Different]

We have tried this a bunch (with brand new devices) and it mostly always works BUT have had considerable issues with static audio interference while doing two.

 

[bchah]

My wife and I were on a flight and realized there is no such feature on macOS... until... I opened up the venerable "Audio MIDI Setup" utility and followed these steps.

1) Connect the second device to the Mac (it could be AirPods or something else)
2) Create a new entry of type "Multi-Output Device" and add your desired headphones to it
3) Name it and choose the new "Device" as your audio output in control center
4) Enjoy!

You can string together as many connected devices as your Mac supports and experiment with the clock source and drift correction settings. Nota bene: AirPods in particular will disconnect the new "Device" for everybody if someone takes them out of their ears so make sure everybody is suited up before you hit play.

It isn't perfect but it allowed us to enjoy some movies together on the plane!

 

[vegetassj4]

I'm pretty sure this has been around a while (since around 2019 I think).

Yeah but now:

Audio Sharing has increased it's capabilities by leaps and bounds, while still being instantly familiar - it's the best audio sharing we've ever created. Audio sharing in iOS 18 was built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence, creating a magical new experience never before seen in Audio. Audio sharing in iOS 18 is light years ahead of any other audio, we think you are going to love it.

 

[svish]

Great feature and very happy to see the older iPhones and iPads supporting this. Will be useful.

 

[antnythr]

Pro Tip: If you have an Apple TV 4K running tvOS 14 and later, you can also Share Audio over two pairs of wireless headphones.

Does this actually work with other wireless headphones or only with AirPods?

It’s supposed to be part of the Bluetooth spec now, but when I tried this it didn’t work.

 

[ultratiem]

I'm pretty sure this has been around a while (since around 2019 I think).

It has and it’s puzzling why Apple chose to shove this niche feature right up front in the new UI.

 

[crisneat]

I’m wondering whether limiting the Audio Sharing feature to Apple owned headphones (AirPods, Beats, etc.) could be perceived, especially in the EU and other regions with stricter competition laws as a form of ecosystem lock in or even anticompetitive behavior. Technically, Bluetooth audio sharing shouldn’t require proprietary hardware, so restricting it to Apple devices may raise some regulatory questions.

 

[Rychiar]

this keeps alerting me everytime I open my AirPods case which is annoying

 

[jforsander]

It’s a shame that Apple hasn’t updated their documentation everywhere, but the following Beats products not on your list all support Audio Sharing on the latest versions of their firmware:

Beats Solo 4
Beats Studio Pro
Beats Studio Buds +
Powerbeats Pro 2

The original Beats Studio Buds DO NOT support Audio Sharing. I’ve seen conflicting info on whether the Solo Buds support Audio Sharing.

Share iPhone or iPad audio with a friend’s Beats or AirPods

On your iPhone or iPad, share what you’re listening to with a friend wearing compatible Beats or AirPods.

support.apple.com

 

[TigerNike23]

Slight knock here:

iPhone 8? Not compatible with iOS 18.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Should work with iPod touch 7 too

 

[cateye]

(tip of the virtual hat to whomever at MacRumors HQ is a Carbon Based Lifeforms fan )

 

[bzgnyc2]

Apple's Audio Sharing feature on iPhone and iPad lets you share your device's Bluetooth audio with a second pair of wireless headphones, allowing two of you to listen to the same music together while running, or enjoy a movie on a plane without disturbing those around you, for example. Keep reading to learn how it works.

Okay but this undoes one of the greatest Judo marketing moves in recent memory -- back in the days of iPod and Zune, Steve Jobs turned one of Zune's more advanced features against them:

Apple's Jobs slams Zune, says player poses no concern - iPod + iTunes + AppleTV Discussions on AppleInsider Forums

Apple Computer chief executive Steve Jobs said he does not see Microsoft's community-centric Zune device as a threat to his company's iPod digital media players.

forums.appleinsider.com

"I've seen the demonstrations on the Internet about how you can find another person using a Zune and give them a song they can play three times. It takes forever," Jobs told Newsweek in an interview ahead of the iPods fifth anniversary next month.

"By the time you've gone through all that, the girl's got up and left! You're much better off to take one of your earbuds out and put it in her ear. Then you're connected with about two feet of headphone cable."

 

[entropys]

Finally, no more sticking someone else's grubby bud into your ear and struggling to listen to something through one ear.

But that is a major trope for romancing in k-dramas.

 

[entropys]

Okay but this undoes one of the greatest Judo marketing moves in recent memory -- back in the days of iPod and Zune, Steve Jobs turned one of Zune's more advanced features against them:

Apple's Jobs slams Zune, says player poses no concern - iPod + iTunes + AppleTV Discussions on AppleInsider Forums

Apple Computer chief executive Steve Jobs said he does not see Microsoft's community-centric Zune device as a threat to his company's iPod digital media players.

forums.appleinsider.com

"I've seen the demonstrations on the Internet about how you can find another person using a Zune and give them a song they can play three times. It takes forever," Jobs told Newsweek in an interview ahead of the iPods fifth anniversary next month.

"By the time you've gone through all that, the girl's got up and left! You're much better off to take one of your earbuds out and put it in her ear. Then you're connected with about two feet of headphone cable."

“Finding someone else with a zune would take forever”

fact check:true.

 

[iZac]

But that is a major trope for romancing in k-dramas.

haha, don't worry - the trope will live on:

The rich one will ask the poor one to listen to a song with their Airpods on shareplay. The poor one will bashfully stare at their feet mumbling that they can't afford an iPhone or Airpods. Then they get to share anyway. Then it gets to be a thing at the end when the rich one buys Airpods for the poor one but they still prefer to share the one pair.

...I think I just created a Korean Apple Ad

 

[ipedro]

Yay! Maybe people will stop having loud speakerphone calls in public … hahaha who I am kidding? Inconsiderate main character types will keep blasting their phone calls and random Tik Tok sounds to everyone within earshot. 😩

 

[W2u7Yw4HaD]

Really wish this came to Mac, the Audio MIDI Setup workaround isn't the same

Agreed.. Thats just completely nuts its still not available on the Mac OS X..

 

[walkin]

I’m wondering whether limiting the Audio Sharing feature to Apple owned headphones (AirPods, Beats, etc.) could be perceived, especially in the EU and other regions with stricter competition laws as a form of ecosystem lock in or even anticompetitive behavior. Technically, Bluetooth audio sharing shouldn’t require proprietary hardware, so restricting it to Apple devices may raise some regulatory questions.

It's not just that it "could be perceived" as anticompetitive. That's flagrantly what it is.

If you want confirmation that this is a deliberate restriction by Apple that has nothing to do with hardware limitations of other headphones, download a trial of Loopback for macOS, connect two pairs of Bluetooth headphones, and route the output to each. Voila. You also overcome the problem mentioned above with Audio MIDI Setup.

Not free though.

 

[MacBeard]

I'm pretty sure this has been around a while (since around 2019 I think).

I thought so too. I'm struggling to understand how this is different from a feature that's existed since iOS 13.

Is there a difference?

There's already a guide for it on here, posted Friday, 8th November, 2019.
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/use-audio-sharing-ios/

And Apple has a guide for it too, no date of posting, but does state iOS 18.
https://support.apple.com/en-sg/guide/airpods/dev3786f35c8/web

 

[genzai]

My wife and I were on a flight and realized there is no such feature on macOS... until... I opened up the venerable "Audio MIDI Setup" utility and followed these steps.

1) Connect the second device to the Mac (it could be AirPods or something else)
2) Create a new entry of type "Multi-Output Device" and add your desired headphones to it
3) Name it and choose the new "Device" as your audio output in control center
4) Enjoy!

You can string together as many connected devices as your Mac supports and experiment with the clock source and drift correction settings. Nota bene: AirPods in particular will disconnect the new "Device" for everybody if someone takes them out of their ears so make sure everybody is suited up before you hit play.

It isn't perfect but it allowed us to enjoy some movies together on the plane!

umm, there absolutely is this functionality on Mac. As long as both AirPods (or airplay devices) are connected to the Mac (or on the network), you just drop down your audio device control panel settings and select as many devices as you want- I do this all the time with 2 pairs of AirPods.