Microsoft has begun rolling out a significant audio feature to Windows 11 users with the KB5089573 update, allowing for the simultaneous streaming of audio to two distinct Bluetooth devices. This functionality, dubbed Shared Audio, mirrors capabilities long present on mobile phones and expands upon a preview version previously made available to a limited set of users.
The Shared Audio feature enables users to cast music and other audio streams to two connected Bluetooth audio devices, such as headphones or earbuds. Previously, Windows PCs lacked this native capability, with only a select few hardware configurations and beta versions of the OS offering multi-device audio streaming.
To utilize Shared Audio, users will need to ensure several conditions are met. First, the PC must be running Windows 11 version 26200.8524 or later. Second, the PC must support Bluetooth LE audio broadcast. Third, both connected audio devices must also support Bluetooth LE Audio. Finally, the "Use LE Audio when available" option must be enabled for both devices within Windows' Bluetooth settings. While Microsoft is gradually rolling out the update, users may need to wait for it to become available on their system.
Once the prerequisites are met, the option to enable Shared Audio should appear in the Quick Settings dropdown menu, accessible from the system tray near the clock. This feature could prove useful for scenarios like watching movies on a laptop with a friend without needing to share a single pair of earbuds or relying on the laptop's built-in speakers. Although the rollout has been gradual and the checklist for activation is somewhat complex, the addition of Shared Audio brings Windows 11 more in line with modern multi-device audio capabilities.