Android just flipped the switch on a major Bluetooth upgrade: Auracast, the broadcast feature built on Bluetooth LE Audio, is rolling out to more phones and earbuds at no extra cost. The result is simple but transformative—your phone can share audio to multiple listeners at once, and you can tune into public broadcasts at participating venues using ordinary wireless earbuds.
What changed on Android
Google has broadened native support for Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast across recent Android builds, adding streamlined controls like an Audio Sharing tile and QR-based joining. On the phone side, models such as Google’s Pixel 8 and newer, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 and S24 families, and recent Galaxy Z Fold devices are enabled. Select Xiaomi and Poco models also support LE Audio features, though availability varies by region and carrier certification.
On the headphone side, new and newly updated devices are joining the list. Examples include Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, JBL’s Tour One M3, Sennheiser’s Accentum True Wireless, and Sony’s WF‑1000XM5. Manufacturers continue to push firmware updates that add LE Audio and, in some cases, Auracast reception. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) maintains an Auracast device roster, and more models are being certified each quarter.
Auracast explained in plain English
Auracast lets one device broadcast audio to many receivers at the same time. Instead of pairing with each listener one by one, your phone transmits a single stream that compatible earbuds, headphones, or hearing aids can join. It’s built on Bluetooth LE Audio and the LC3 codec, which is designed for better sound at lower bitrates than SBC, improving efficiency and helping battery life.
Beyond private sharing among friends, Auracast enables public broadcasts. Think TVs at the gym, airport gate announcements, theater audio description tracks, or museum exhibits. You “tune in” using your own earbuds, often by scanning a QR code posted at the venue. Bluetooth SIG has been working with audio and venue partners to standardize signage and the join process.
How to try it right now
First, update your phone to the latest Android version and install any available firmware updates for your earbuds or headphones. Then:
– On supported phones, open Settings > Bluetooth and look for LE Audio or Audio Sharing/Auracast options. Some devices also offer a Quick Settings tile called Audio Sharing.
– Start a broadcast from your phone. Your friends can join by scanning a QR code on your screen or via Fast Pair prompts if they’re nearby with compatible earbuds.
– Each listener controls their own volume on their earbuds. Your phone sends a single broadcast, so you’re not juggling multiple connections or pairing profiles.
Real-world example: two people on a flight can watch the same movie on one phone while each uses their own earbuds. Because it’s a one-to-many broadcast, it’s more power-friendly than maintaining two separate classic Bluetooth streams.
Public broadcasts and accessibility
At participating venues—gyms, airports, museums, theaters—you’ll see Auracast signage or a QR code near a screen or counter. Scan it to join the audio quietly with your own earbuds. This approach is a modern answer to the old “TV ears” or local FM transmitters, without extra hardware.
The accessibility upside is significant. Hearing aids that support LE Audio can join Auracast broadcasts directly, reducing the need for neck loops or venue-specific receivers. The World Health Organization estimates that over a billion people live with some degree of hearing loss, and features like Auracast can make everyday environments more inclusive by delivering clearer, personal audio without raising ambient noise.
Compatibility and caveats
Both sides must support LE Audio: your phone for broadcasting and the earbuds or hearing aids for receiving. If either device lacks Auracast, the feature won’t appear. Look for mentions of “LE Audio,” “LC3,” or “Auracast” in your device specs or release notes, and check for firmware updates from your manufacturer.
Venue adoption will take time. While phone and earbud support is accelerating, public broadcast infrastructure depends on venues upgrading their audio systems. Bluetooth SIG’s market updates note that billions of Bluetooth products ship annually, and LE Audio is a growing share of that ecosystem, but the installed base of older gear means rollouts will be gradual.
Why this upgrade matters
– Battery efficiency: LC3 delivers good sound at lower bitrates, which can reduce power draw on both phones and earbuds compared to classic Bluetooth audio.
– Simpler sharing: One tap to broadcast beats handing around pairing dialogs. It also works across brands, avoiding ecosystem lock-ins.
– Better public audio: Clearer airport announcements or gym TV audio in your own earbuds, without disturbing others.
If your phone and buds are recent, you may already have Auracast without realizing it. Update, look for the Audio Sharing option, and try broadcasting a playlist to a friend. It’s one of those quiet upgrades that instantly feels obvious—and once you use it, you won’t want to go back.