This post has been republished via RSS; it originally appeared at: Windows Blog.
Today’s Windows 11 Insider Preview Build (26220.7051) for Dev & Beta Channels begins gradual rollout of
shared audio (preview), a new experience being previewed that allows your audio to be shared between two separate headphones, speakers, earbuds, or hearing aids. Built on top of Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast technology, shared audio lets your supported Windows 11 Copilot+ PC transmit an audio stream to two Bluetooth audio accessories at the same time.
Shared audio lets students share music with a friend while studying or brings family members closer by watching a movie together on an airplane. As Insiders, you have the first opportunity to explore this feature and provide feedback before it rolls out more broadly.
To use shared audio, pair and connect two compatible Bluetooth LE Audio accessories to your Windows 11 PC, then use the “Shared audio (preview)” tile in quick settings to start sharing audio. Use the “Stop sharing” button to end an active sharing session.
[caption id="attachment_178365" align="alignnone" width="476"]
Shared audio (preview) settings showing two connected devices and the Share button to get started using the experience.[/caption]
Compatible Copilot+ PCs
Shared audio (preview) is supported on select Windows 11
Copilot+ PCs listed below with compatible Bluetooth and audio driver updates, and we expect additional Copilot+ PCs to add support for shared audio later.
Available today:
- Surface Laptop, 13.8-inch and 15-inch* | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Laptop for Business, 13.8 and 15-inch* | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Pro, 13-inch** | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Pro for Business, 13-inch** | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
Coming soon:
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 360 | Intel Core Ultra Series 200
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro | Intel Core Ultra Series 200
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 | Intel Core Ultra Series 200
- Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Laptop, 13-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Laptop for Business, 13-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Pro, 12-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- Surface Pro for Business, 12-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
* Previously known as Surface Laptop 7th Edition
** Previously known as Surface Pro 11th Edition
Compatible Bluetooth LE Audio accessories
Shared audio (preview) is compatible with a wide range of Bluetooth LE Audio accessories. This includes, but is not limited to, Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Buds3 and Buds3 Pro, Sony WH-1000XM6, and recent LE Audio capable hearing aids from ReSound and Beltone.
Shared audio and other innovative Windows Bluetooth audio experiences, like
super wideband stereo, are built on top of LE Audio technology. Look for LE Audio support when purchasing your next headphones, earbuds, speaker, or assistive hearing device.
Requirements to try shared audio (preview)
To try out shared audio (preview), enroll your compatible Windows 11 Copilot + PC in the Windows Insider Dev or Beta Channels, and install the latest OS and driver updates through Windows Update. For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features
gradually rolled out to you, you can turn
ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
If you own a Copilot+ PC on the coming soon list, look for driver updates to be offered to you through Windows Update in the coming weeks. The “Shared audio (preview)” tile will appear in Quick Settings when your system has the necessary driver updates to support the feature.
It is highly recommended to use the manufacturers’ app for your Bluetooth audio accessories to ensure LE Audio support is enabled and that the latest firmware updates are installed. If after updating, your Bluetooth accessory is connected to your PC but does not show under the “Shared audio (preview)” tile, try removing it from your PC, and then re-pairing it.
Share your feedback
We welcome and appreciate all feedback to help refine the shared audio experience during preview.
Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (
WIN + F) under
Bluetooth – Audio quality, glitches, choppiness and stuttering.
