In the Windows 11 update KB5089573 (Build 26200.8524) pushed on May 28, Microsoft included a new feature called “Shared Audio,” which allows two pairs of Bluetooth headphones or earphones to simultaneously receive audio output from the same PC. The entry point is located at the speaker icon in the Quick Settings panel on the taskbar. Windows Latest confirmed with Microsoft that this feature is based on the “Audio Broadcast” mechanism of the Bluetooth LE Audio standard. The audio is transmitted as a standardized broadcast stream, and both paired devices can adjust their respective volumes independently. To end sharing, click “Stop sharing,” which will not disconnect the Bluetooth connection. It should be noted that both the PC and the headphones must support Bluetooth LE Audio and the audio broadcast function; most devices manufactured in 2020 and later already meet this requirement. Currently, the feature is still being gradually rolled out, and some devices may need to wait a few weeks.
Previously, iOS’s “Share Audio” feature supported two pairs of AirPods connecting to an iPhone simultaneously, and macOS can also achieve a similar effect through Audio MIDI setup, but the Windows platform has long lacked this capability. This update also brings a low-latency CPU acceleration mode (Low Latency Profile) and an improvement that allows a camera to be accessed by multiple applications simultaneously.