Android’s latest update brings easier audio sharing, broader headphone compatibility, and venue broadcasts powered by Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast.
Google is widening support for Bluetooth LE Audio across Android, making it simpler to share what you’re listening to—and to tune into broadcasts in public places. The company says LE Audio’s Auracast feature is now rolling out to more phones and headphones, including compatible Pixel models and select Sony headsets, alongside existing support from Samsung and Xiaomi.
At a practical level, this means two big things. First, your phone can now stream to multiple pairs of earbuds at once, so you and a friend can watch a video or listen to a playlist in perfect sync—no splitter or awkward earbud sharing required. Second, in Auracast-enabled spaces like airports, museums, or gyms, you’ll be able to join nearby audio broadcasts directly from Android. Google’s implementation uses Fast Pair and QR codes to make connecting quick and painless.
The expansion dovetails with Google’s latest Pixel feature drop. Pixel 8 and newer phones gain LE Audio Auracast support, unlocking a new “Audio Sharing” option in settings. This lets you pair a second LE Audio headset instantly or spin up a broadcast for friends to join. Google also confirmed it’s extending Android’s LE Audio capabilities to Sony headphones, which should help accelerate adoption beyond early Pixel and Galaxy ecosystems.
Under the hood, LE Audio relies on the LC3 codec—designed for higher quality at lower bitrates than classic Bluetooth audio. That efficiency translates to better sound and improved battery life, especially useful for small earbuds and hearing aids. It also enables multi-stream audio, allowing phones to send independent, synchronized channels to each earbud and to multiple listeners at once.
Why it matters: Bluetooth audio sharing has existed in pockets for years—Samsung and Apple each offered brand-specific versions—but Auracast finally standardizes it. Android’s broader rollout means more people can share audio regardless of phone or headphone brand, so long as both support LE Audio. That standardization should make scenarios like group movie nights on a plane, quiet co-watching in a café, language-assistance tours in museums, or accessible announcements at transit hubs far more seamless.
There are caveats. Everyone in the session needs LE Audio-compatible gear, and not every existing earbud or budget phone qualifies. Android vendors have also been inconsistent at times: some recent Pixel-badged buds didn’t support sharing at launch, and certain models have features toggled off depending on the phone they’re paired with. Google’s latest push—and Sony’s participation—should smooth those rough edges, but the experience will improve as more devices update and the ecosystem matures.
For now, the most immediate wins are on Pixels (8 and newer) and on recent Samsung and Xiaomi devices where Auracast support already exists, with more headphones—particularly from Sony—joining the list. If your gear qualifies, you’ll find the new options under Bluetooth settings: start a shared session, have a friend scan a QR code or accept a Fast Pair prompt, and you’re off to your private “silent disco.”
Google’s LE Audio expansion turns Android into a more social—and more accessible—listening platform. With broadcast listening in public venues and quick two-person sharing from your phone, LE Audio finally feels less like a tech demo and more like a day-to-day feature you’ll actually use.
