What is the new Shared Audio feature in Windows 11?

The Shared Audio feature allows users to connect two Bluetooth audio devices simultaneously and output sound to both.

Which Windows 11 devices are compatible with the Shared Audio feature?

Currently, compatibility is limited to specific devices, including the latest Snapdragon-powered Surface laptops and tablets, and the Qualcomm-powered Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, with more models to be added later.

What are the hardware requirements for Windows 11's Shared Audio?

Both the Bluetooth audio devices and the Windows hardware must support specific implementations of Bluetooth Low Energy (LE).

Home / Technology / Windows 11 Adds Dual Bluetooth Audio Support

Windows 11 Adds Dual Bluetooth Audio Support

6 Feb

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Summary

New Windows 11 update enables shared audio with two Bluetooth devices.
Requires compatible hardware and Bluetooth LE implementations.
Currently limited to specific Snapdragon-powered devices.

Windows 11 Adds Dual Bluetooth Audio Support

A new "Shared Audio" feature is now accessible in Windows Insider Preview Build 26220.7051, enabling users to connect two Bluetooth audio devices and output sound to both simultaneously. This update addresses a long-standing limitation in Windows, which typically only supported a single audio output.

The functionality requires both the audio devices and the Windows hardware to support specific implementations of Bluetooth Low Energy (LE). While many recent Bluetooth headphones are compatible, the hardware requirements on the Windows side are currently quite restrictive.

Initially, Microsoft has listed only the latest Snapdragon-powered Surface laptops and tablets, alongside the Qualcomm-powered Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, as compatible devices. Future updates are planned to include other Galaxy Book5 models. The slow rollout via Windows Update suggests a need for cutting-edge Bluetooth drivers, with hopes for broader hardware accessibility in future general releases.