Spatial audio is a technology that makes sound feel like it is coming from all around you, not just from the left and right earbuds. When combined with head tracking, the audio field can stay anchored to your device or follow your head movements, creating a more natural listening experience. This guide explains how Apple implements spatial audio and head tracking, what the different modes do, and how a separate Bluetooth technology called LE Audio fits into the wireless audio landscape.
Understanding Apple’s Spatial Audio and head tracking
Apple’s AirPods User Guide describes spatial audio as a feature that works with supported movies, shows, songs, games, and FaceTime calls. When enabled on AirPods 3, AirPods 4, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, it creates what Apple calls an immersive theater-like environment with sound that surrounds you.
Apple provides three distinct listening modes that you can switch between at any time. These modes are available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, and the setting you choose is saved per app. For example, if you set the Music app to Fixed, that same mode will be used automatically the next time you play a song in that app. The three modes, as listed in Apple’s support documentation, are:
- Off: Turns off both spatial audio and head tracking. Audio plays in standard stereo.
- Fixed: Turns on spatial audio without head tracking. The sound field stays in a fixed position regardless of how you move your head.
- Head Tracked: Turns on both spatial audio and head tracking. The audio sounds like it is coming from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV, and the direction of the sound adjusts as you turn your head.
Apple notes that spatial audio is not available for all apps or content. The feature requires compatible hardware and software. On Mac, for instance, spatial audio and head tracking work on computers with Apple silicon running macOS 12.3 or later. On Apple TV 4K, tvOS 15.1 or later is required. If you have AirPods Max 1 (USB-C) or AirPods Max 2, you can also use spatial audio and head tracking when connected with a USB-C cable, provided your device runs iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, or macOS 15.4 or later.
Personalized Spatial Audio
Apple offers a feature called Personalized Spatial Audio that tailors the spatial audio experience to the shape of your ears and head. According to the AirPods User Guide, you can use an iPhone X or later to create a representation of your ear and head shape. This profile syncs across your Apple devices that are signed in to the same Apple Account and running iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, macOS 13, tvOS 16, or later.
To set up Personalized Spatial Audio, you open the case lid with your AirPods inside, hold the case close to your iPhone, and follow the onscreen instructions. Alternatively, you can go to Settings, tap the name of your AirPods, then tap Personalized Spatial Audio and choose Personalize Spatial Audio. If you later want to stop using the personalized profile, you can go to the same settings screen and tap Stop Using Personalized Spatial Audio. On a Mac, you turn it off under System Settings by clicking the name of your AirPods and then clicking Turn Off under Personalized Spatial Audio.
Controlling the settings on different devices
The way you switch between Off, Fixed, and Head Tracked modes depends on the device you are using. Apple’s guide outlines the steps for each platform:
iPhone or iPad: Wear your AirPods and make sure they are connected. Open Control Center, touch and hold the volume control, then tap Spatial Audio at the lower right. From there, select Off, Fixed, or Head Tracked.
Mac: Click the AirPods icon in the menu bar. If the icon is not visible, go to System Settings, click Menu Bar, and enable Sound under Menu Bar Controls. Then, below Spatial Audio, choose one of the three modes.
Apple TV 4K: While watching or listening to content, open Control Center, navigate to the AirPods icon at the top of the screen, then navigate to Spatial Audio and select an option. To disable dynamic head tracking for all apps on Apple TV, go to Settings, select Accessibility, select AirPods, choose your AirPods, and turn off Center Audio on TV.
These instructions are specific to Apple’s ecosystem. If you use headphones from other manufacturers, the steps and available modes will differ. Always refer to the documentation that came with your device.
Spatial audio beyond Apple devices
Apple’s implementation is one of several spatial audio platforms. Other platforms have their own spatial audio features; check your device’s documentation. The underlying principle is similar: using signal processing to create a three-dimensional soundstage. However, the exact controls, compatibility requirements, and head tracking behavior vary. If you are using an Android phone, a Windows PC, or a gaming console, check your device’s support pages to learn how spatial audio works on that platform. The general concepts described here, fixed versus head-tracked modes, personalization options, can help you understand what to look for, but the specifics will be different.
LE Audio: a separate Bluetooth technology
While researching spatial audio, you may come across the term LE Audio. It is important to understand that LE Audio is not a spatial audio format. It is a new Bluetooth audio architecture developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). According to the Bluetooth SIG, LE Audio operates on the Bluetooth Low Energy radio, whereas classic Bluetooth audio uses the Bluetooth Classic radio. This shift brings several enhancements that can benefit all kinds of wireless audio, including content that uses spatial audio.
One of the key components of LE Audio is the Low Complexity Communications Codec, or LC3. The Bluetooth SIG states that LC3 provides high audio quality even at low data rates. Extensive listening checks have shown that LC3 can deliver improvements in audio quality over the SBC codec included with Classic Audio, even at a 50% lower bit rate. This efficiency gives developers flexibility to design products with longer battery life or smaller batteries. For a deeper look at how codecs affect sound, see our article on Bluetooth codecs.
LE Audio also introduces Multi-Stream Audio, which enables the transmission of multiple independent, synchronized audio streams between a source device and one or more earbuds. The Bluetooth SIG explains that this can improve the stereo imaging experience, make voice assistant interactions smoother, and allow for more seamless switching between source devices. Another major addition is Auracast broadcast audio, which lets an audio source broadcast one or more streams to an unlimited number of nearby receivers. This can be used to share audio with others, unmute public televisions, or assist people with hearing loss in venues.
Additionally, LE Audio adds support for Bluetooth hearing aids. The Bluetooth SIG notes that this will bring the benefits of Bluetooth audio to the growing number of people with hearing loss, and that organizations like the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association have contributed to the specifications. LE Audio is not spatial audio itself. To learn about other headphone technologies that work alongside spatial audio, visit our active noise cancellation guide.
Getting started with spatial audio
If you want to try spatial audio, a few practical steps can help you get set up correctly. First, confirm that your headphones support spatial audio. On Apple devices, compatible models include AirPods 3 and later, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Next, make sure the content you are playing is mixed for spatial audio; Apple notes that Spatial Audio is not available for all apps or content. On an iPhone or iPad, open Control Center and check the Spatial Audio setting to see if it is available. Experiment with the Fixed and Head Tracked modes to find what feels most natural. If you have an iPhone X or later, consider setting up Personalized Spatial Audio for a more tailored experience. For non-Apple devices, look for a similar audio settings menu and consult the manufacturer’s guide. Remember that spatial audio is a feature of the playback chain, not a single standard, so the exact steps will vary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Fixed and Head Tracked spatial audio?
Fixed spatial audio creates a three-dimensional sound field that stays in one place, regardless of how you move your head. Head Tracked spatial audio uses sensors in the headphones to track your head movements and adjusts the sound so that it appears to come from the direction of your device. Apple’s guide says that with Head Tracked mode, the audio you are listening to will sound like it is coming from your iPhone or Mac. Fixed mode gives you the immersive effect without the directional changes.
Does spatial audio work with all headphones?
No. Spatial audio requires headphones that have the necessary hardware and software support. Apple lists specific AirPods models that work with its spatial audio feature. Other brands may offer their own spatial audio solutions, but they are not interchangeable. Always check the specifications of your headphones and the content you want to play.
Is LE Audio the same as spatial audio?
No. LE Audio is a Bluetooth audio architecture that defines how audio is transmitted wirelessly. It includes a new codec (LC3), multi-stream support, and broadcast capabilities. Spatial audio is a processing technique that creates a surround-sound effect. The two are separate technologies. For more on how wireless audio works, see our headphone technology explained pillar article.
For more on spatial audio technology, including how it compares to other immersive audio formats, visit our Spatial Audio category page.
