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Many people want to know how to Enable Spatial Audio on Pixel Phone and Buds. Google said in December 2022 that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series will be able to use Spatial Audio with headphones like the Pixel Buds Pro. The company also confirmed the apps that will work with the feature on Pixel phones and Pixel Buds Pro headphones. Apple’s AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have been able to play spatial audio for a long time, and it’s also available on Apple Music. Mac and Windows both have sound systems that are compatible with spatial audio, so they can both use this feature.
Google put out a January update for Pixel phones early this week. Along with the much-anticipated spatial audio feature, the update adds a new security patch. The new feature, however, is only available on the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro. If you have one of these Pixel phones, here’s how to turn on spatial audio and use it. Spatial Audio technology makes it seem like sounds are coming from all around you, like in a theater. When used right, spatial audio can be a great tool. You can get more into a movie when you watch it on your Pixel phone or Pixel Buds Pro with virtual surround sound. Here’s how to Enable Spatial Audio on Pixel Phone and Buds.
What You Need to Use Spatial Audio
- Compatible Device: A device that supports Spatial Audio, such as certain models of headphones or earbuds equipped with this feature.
- Content: Spatial Audio is typically designed to work with specific types of audio content, such as movies, TV shows, or music, which have been encoded with spatial audio information.
- Supported Apps: Make sure you are using apps or platforms that support Spatial Audio. Certain media players or streaming services may provide this feature.
- Operating System: Ensure that your device’s operating system is up-to-date, as Spatial Audio functionality may require specific software versions.
- Settings Access: Familiarize yourself with the settings on your device that control Spatial Audio. This may involve navigating to the appropriate section within your device’s settings menu.
What apps and services work with spatial audio on the Pixel?
You’ll notice that Google is supporting spatial audio in movies rather than music, which might come as a surprise. The confirmed supported apps include:
- YouTube
- Google TV
- Netflix
- HBO Max
- Disney Plus
How to Enable Spatial Audio on Pixel Phone
- Make sure your Pixel phone is running the Mobile latest software.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Sound & vibration.
- Tap Spatial Audio.
- Toggle on Spatial Audio.
How to Enable Spatial Audio on Pixel Buds
You can turn on spatial audio and head tracking on their own from any compatible Google Pixel phone. Before you change the settings for head tracking, you should also connect the Pixel Buds Pro.
- Go to the Settings app on your phone.
- Listen for sounds and feels.
- Choose the section that says Spatial Audio.
- You can turn spatial audio on or off with a switch.
- The head tracking feature can be turned on or off separately from the general settings. To do this, go to Connected Devices > Pixel Buds Pro > Settings and turn the head tracking feature on or off.
The Benefits of Spatial Audio
- Immersive Soundstage: Spatial Audio lets you hear sounds coming from different directions, making the listening experience more natural and immersive. It makes it seem like sounds are coming from different places and puts you in the middle of the sound environment.
- Added realism: Spatial audio adds a new level of realism to audio content by accurately simulating how sound moves in the real world. This is especially helpful for movies, games, and virtual reality experiences, where realistic sound effects help make the experience more interesting and real.
- Better Directionality: Spatial Audio makes it easier to figure out where sounds are coming from, so listeners can pinpoint where sounds are coming from. This is especially helpful when it’s important to know where sounds are coming from, like when playing games or watching movies with lots of action.
- Head Tracking: Some spatial audio systems have technology called “head tracking,” which changes the sound based on where the listener’s head is. So, even when the listener moves, the direction of the sounds they hear stays the same. This makes it feel even more like they are in the sound environment.
- Personalized listening: Spatial Audio can be changed to fit the needs and preferences of each user, making the listening experience more unique. This makes it possible for users to get the most out of the technology based on how well they hear and how their headphones are set up.
Questions and Answers
You’ll need the Pixel Buds Pro if you want to hear audio that moves with your head. These are made to work with the Google Pixel phones’ spatial audio. It works with other headphones as far as sound goes, but if you want the head tracking, you’ll need the Pixel Buds Pro.
Go to Settings, then to Connected devices, then to Pixel Buds Pro, and then to Settings. Track your head, and then turn it on. Make sure the content you are listening to is marked as Dolby Audio or 5.1 to get the full effect of spatial audio. Keep your phone still or put it on a stable surface or stand to make sure the tracking is correct.
With Pixel Buds Pro, the sound is “spatialized” to make it sound like it’s coming from more than one speaker, like a surround sound system. The best examples are movies and TV shows. You can try out this new feature on subscription-based streaming services like HBO Max and Netflix Premium.
Spatial audio only works on the AirPods when they are connected to a device that can handle it. There are iPhones, iPads, and Macs among these. So, you won’t be able to enjoy the dynamic spatial audio experience if you use your AirPods with an Android device or a Windows computer.