What to know

  • Windows 11 is preview testing a Bluetooth LE Audio-based shared audio feature.
  • The feature streams audio simultaneously to two Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
  • It is accessible via Quick Settings for compatible devices like Surface laptops.
  • Shared audio supports Bluetooth LE devices including, but not limited to, Samsung Galaxy Buds and Sony WH-1000XM6.
  • The feature is currently being tested on Insider builds.

All this while, Windows users had been using roundabout ways to stream audio simultaneously to two headphones. No more! For Windows 11 is now testing a feature called "shared audio," which allows users to stream audio simultaneously to two Bluetooth headphones or other LE Audio devices.

How shared audio works on Windows 11

By connecting two compatible Bluetooth LE Audio devices, users can broadcast the same audio stream to both headphones or speakers at once. This makes it easier to share music, movies, or other media with a friend without needing external adapters or software. The shared audio control appears in the Quick Settings panel on supported Windows 11 devices, allowing easy selection and connection of two audio outputs simultaneously.

Via blogs.windows

To use shared audio, ensure Bluetooth LE Audio-compatible devices are connected to your Windows 11 PC. Then, activate the "Shared audio (preview)" option in Quick Settings, select two paired devices, and start broadcasting audio simultaneously to both.

Supported devices and availability

Currently, the shared audio feature is available in preview build (26220.7051) for Windows 11 Insider users on the Dev and Beta channels on select Copilot+ devices, including 13- and 15-inch Surface Laptops and Surface Pro models. Compatible Bluetooth LE devices include, but are not limited to, Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Buds3, Buds3 Pro, Sony WH-1000XM6, and some hearing aids.

Before Windows 11’s shared audio, users relied on workarounds such as enabling "Stereo Mix" or third-party software to output audio to two devices. The native shared audio simplifies the process by integrating multi-device audio streaming into the operating system itself.

If you don't have a compatible device or cannot wait for the feature, check out our guide on How to Play Audio Through Multiple Connected Devices on Windows 11 and get the feature today.