logo
How to enable Android 16's Audio Sharing feature on your Pixel

How to enable Android 16's Audio Sharing feature on your Pixel

Robert Triggs / Android Authority
TL;DR Android 16 will introduce Auracast support for Pixel devices, but it's hidden in the current beta and requires a developer options toggle to enable.
This Bluetooth LE Audio feature allows broadcasting or listening to nearby audio streams, benefiting hearing aid users and other compatible devices.
Interestingly, this Auracast toggle is also present in the latest Android 15 stable release for capable Pixels, meaning a beta isn't strictly necessary.
The upcoming Android 16 update for Pixel devices may not bring any major UI changes, but it will finally introduce a long-awaited feature: Auracast support. Auracast, the marketing name for broadcast audio, is a feature of the Bluetooth LE Audio standard that allows devices to start or listen to nearby audio streams. Although Google announced that Android 16 will bring Auracast support to its latest Pixel devices, the feature is currently missing if you install the beta. Here's how to enable Auracast on your Pixel device running the Android 16 beta.
To provide some context, Google announced back in March that Pixel 9 owners could stream Auracast broadcasts directly to their hearing aids. This capability requires the Pixel 9 to be running the Android 16 beta and paired with LE Audio compatible hearing aids. Although Google highlighted Auracast's accessibility benefits, the feature extends beyond hearing aids, supporting any audio device compatible with LE Audio broadcasts.
Despite Google's earlier announcement that Auracast would be supported on Pixel 9 devices running the Android 16 beta, the feature isn't actually enabled in the current Android 16 Beta 4 release. After factory resetting and updating my own Pixel 9 to this beta, the 'Audio Sharing' page was nowhere to be found in Settings. While it's unclear why this settings page is hidden by default, I do know how to make it visible.
To activate Audio Sharing on your Pixel device, you need to first enable Developer Options. Then, navigate to Settings > System > Developer options and scroll down until you find 'Enable Bluetooth LE Audio Broadcast UI preview.' Toggle this setting on, and then reboot your phone. Once your phone boots back up, go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences, where you'll find the 'Audio sharing' page.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
Left: The "Enable Bluetooth LE Audio Broadcast UI preview" in Developer Options. Middle: Android 16's connection preferences once "Enable Bluetooth LE Audio Broadcast UI preview" is enabled. Right: The audio sharing page in Android 16.
Now, you can start an audio broadcast by connecting an Auracast-compatible headset and toggling the 'share audio' option from this page or the Bluetooth panel. To prevent unwanted listeners from joining your broadcast, you can set a password for it. If you'd rather listen in on a broadcast, tap the 'find an audio stream' button to scan for nearby streams.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
Left: When an Auracast-enabled headset is connected, the Bluetooth panel shows a "share audio" button. Middle: The audio sharing settings page when "share audio" is enabled. Right: The dialog that appears when you start an audio stream.
If Android doesn't allow you to start or listen to nearby broadcasts even with an Auracast-capable audio product connected, ensure that Bluetooth LE Audio is enabled for that specific device. For many audio products, you might need to manually enable LE Audio through the Bluetooth device details page. Alternatively, you can toggle 'bypass Bluetooth LE Audio Allowlist' in Developer Options to force Android to automatically enable Bluetooth LE Audio for any audio product that supports it.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
The Bluetooth device details page on a Pixel 9 when an Auracast-capable headset is connected.
Lastly, if you don't see the 'Enable Bluetooth LE Audio Broadcast UI preview' toggle in Developer Options, it means your Pixel device doesn't support Auracast. Currently, Auracast is supported on the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. While devices such as the Pixel 7 series, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8a, and Pixel 9a do technically support Bluetooth LE Audio, they don't support Auracast, so this toggle won't appear for them. The Pixel 6 series doesn't support LE Audio at all, meaning it doesn't meet the prerequisites to use Auracast and therefore won't show the toggle either.
Interestingly, the 'Enable Bluetooth LE Audio Broadcast UI preview' toggle is actually present in the latest Android 15 stable release for Auracast-capable Pixel devices. This means you technically don't need to install the Android 16 beta to use the Audio Sharing feature. Given Google's announcement, you might expect Audio Sharing to be enabled out of the box in the Android 16 beta, but perhaps that will be the case with the upcoming Android 16 stable release. We'll have to wait and see, as Google is expected to roll out the stable Android 16 update next month.
Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at
Email our staff at news@androidauthority.com . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Myomo Reveals its $100 Revenue Goal During Investor Day
Myomo Reveals its $100 Revenue Goal During Investor Day

Yahoo

time31 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Myomo Reveals its $100 Revenue Goal During Investor Day

Myomo, Inc. (NYSE:MYO) is one of the . On June 18, the company held an Investor and Analyst Day to assess the company's business model and long-term aspirations. The company cited its Q1 FY2025 performance and mentioned that its lead generation capabilities helped recover the challenges faced earlier in the quarter. Myomo's management highlighted that prospective MyoPro patients are an untapped market, and the company is yet to reach saturation with its advertising. Kutlayev Dmitry/ The company also presented its goal of $100 million in annual revenue by 2028. Of this, $15 million of revenue is to come from international customers and $20 million from its O&P channel. Myomo, Inc. (NYSE:MYO) is a wearable robotics company that offers functionality to patients suffering from neurological disorders and upper limb paralysis. While we acknowledge the potential of MYO as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio

Avantor (AVTR) Q1 2025 Results Reflects Focus on Cost Management
Avantor (AVTR) Q1 2025 Results Reflects Focus on Cost Management

Yahoo

time36 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Avantor (AVTR) Q1 2025 Results Reflects Focus on Cost Management

Avantor, Inc. (NYSE:AVTR) is one of the The company's Q1 2025 results exhibited disciplined execution as well as a continued focus on cost management amidst the dynamic macro environment. Even though the company's earnings and margin performance remained in line with its plan, the Lab Solutions revenue was impacted by lower demand, mainly in its Education and Government end market, after the policy changes. Furthermore, Avantor, Inc. (NYSE:AVTR) has expanded its cost transformation initiative and expects to deliver $400 million in gross run-rate savings exiting 2027. A team of scientists working together to develop a new lab product or process. While Avantor, Inc. (NYSE:AVTR)'s cost transformation continues to drive conversion and margins, its Bioscience production segment offers mission-critical materials and solutions. With respect to the Lab business, the company continues to make immediate and significant changes to fuel growth. The company's delivery excellence initiative remains focused on ensuring greater supply chain efficiency and resilience. Next, Avantor, Inc. (NYSE:AVTR) has been accelerating digital enhancements to its platform, which includes the rollout of a new AI-enabled e-commerce platform, in order to further streamline customer experience. Another step is to strategically optimize the approach to pricing by leveraging the integration of digital technologies. Broyhill Asset Management, an investment advisor, released its Q1 2025 investor letter. Here is what the fund said: 'Shares of Avantor, Inc. (NYSE:AVTR) declined 23% in the first quarter, as policy uncertainty around budget cuts for academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies weighed on the life sciences sector. With shares trading at valuations not previously seen in its history as a public company, we believe this is a dramatic overreaction as the market is essentially discounting a halting or meaningful slowdown in scientific progress at these levels. It is rare for companies benefiting from such strong secular growth trends to be valued at trough multiples on trough earnings, but that's exactly how we view AVTR today, and exactly why we've capitalized on recent weakness to continue building our position.' While we acknowledge the potential of AVTR as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 13 Cheap AI Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 11 Unstoppable Growth Stocks to Invest in Now Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

I'm a tech expert and these are the best Amazon Prime Day deals I've found, starting at just $10
I'm a tech expert and these are the best Amazon Prime Day deals I've found, starting at just $10

Yahoo

time36 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

I'm a tech expert and these are the best Amazon Prime Day deals I've found, starting at just $10

Welcome to Amazon Prime Day, or as I like to call it: Gadget Christmas. This annual event is packed with all kinds of bargains, but I'm most excited about the tech stuff: tablets, TVs, earbuds, smartwatches and so on. Sure, Amazon discounts these things all year round, but this Prime Day 2025 has produced some historic-low pricing on some of my favorite gear. Seriously. Apple AirPods Pro are $149, the lowest they've ever been. The DJI Neo selfie drone (which I freaking love) has never been discounted before; it's now $40 off. (Update: It's currently sold out, but I'm hoping it'll return before Prime Day ends.) One of my favorite open-ear headphones, the Soundcore AeroFit 2, is down to $74, a record-low price. So, yeah, I'm pretty jazzed about Gadget Christmas. See below for more of my top tech picks. And if you want deals from other departments, be sure to visit Yahoo's Prime Day hub, which will steer you to the latest and greatest. Note: Some discounts require an Amazon Prime subscription. And while we continually monitor pricing and availability, prices often change without warning and products sometimes sell out.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store