Auracast support is coming to Google Pixel with ‘Audio Sharing’

Work between Google and Bluetooth’s LE Audio has been ongoing, with support for Auracast promised but seemingly stuck in the pipeline. That changes today as Google announces Pixel phones on Android 16 with LE Audio support get access to Auracast through LE Audio.

LE Audio was initially announced in 2022 alongside Bluetooth’s new L3C codec. The new standard would make Bluetooth streaming possible, using a single transmitter device that would allow several phones to connect and push that audio to connected headphones. Both headphones and phone would need to support LE Audio, and that’s the biggest hurdle.

Google announced today that Pixel devices would officially be compatible with LE Audio Auracast in Android 16’s latest QPR1 update. The update unlocks the “Audio Sharing” option in the settings, which makes it possible to connect multiple devices to the same phone.

The press release also notes that Google is bringing LE Audio Auracast support to Sony headphones, though it doesn’t specify which models. The release also omits Google’s Pixel Buds 2, which support LE Audio on paper but didn’t seem to work with Pixel in Android 16 QPR1 Beta. The stable version launching today may open the door for the Pixel Buds 2 with Auracast.

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Google’s Pixel 8 series and newer will support LE Audio’s Auracast after the Android update. That list doesn’t include the Pixel 8a or Pixel 9a. Those models don’t support Auracast on paper, so the update wouldn’t be able to add the Audio Sharing feature.

With Auracast, more than one pair of headphones can connect to one device. Both the headphones and phone need to have LE Audio support with Auracast. If they don’t, “audio can not be shared to both devices.Audio Sharing can not be enabled.

To share with a group in Android, users can start sharing through the Bluetooth Quick Tile or quickly through Google Fast Pair. When sharing audio, compatible headphones like the Sony QF-1000XM6 will appear on the streaming device in a Fast Pair card. Pixel or Samsung devices with LE Audio support can also create private broadcasts to transmit audio to other devices and connected headphones. That can be joined by scanning a generated QR code.