Microsoft’s newest Windows 11 preview update adds a feature many users have been waiting for: audio sharing between two Bluetooth devices from a single PC. Called shared audio, the feature arrives in the KB5089573 preview update, though there is a limitation for now; it only works on Copilot+ PCs that support Bluetooth LE Audio.
Microsoft explained in a blog post that shared audio lets your PC play sound through two Bluetooth LE devices at once. It works with a range of accessories, including headphones, earbuds, speakers, and even assistive devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants.
To use the feature, users first need to pair and connect two Bluetooth LE audio devices to a Windows 11 PC running the latest update. Users can then open “Quick Settings” from the taskbar speaker icon, tap “Shared audio,” pick the two output devices, and hit “Share.”
Once enabled, shared audio continues to work with Windows’ regular volume controls, though changes to the main volume affect both connected devices at once. Microsoft says users who want separate adjustments can use individual volume sliders in the shared audio menu or within each device’s settings. A taskbar icon appears during playback and includes a quick “Stop Sharing” shortcut. The session also ends when the PC powers down, meaning users need to reconnect their devices after restarting.
On a technical level, any PC that supports Bluetooth LE Audio broadcasting can run the feature, meaning developers and hardware makers don’t need to update apps or accessories for compatibility. In reality, though, shared audio depends on newer Bluetooth LE standards and up-to-date drivers, limiting support to a small group of recent Copilot+ laptops using Qualcomm Snapdragon or Intel Core Ultra 200-series chips. For most Windows users, access will have to wait.
According to Microsoft, the drivers needed for shared audio will be distributed gradually through Windows Update to support more devices over time. The feature is currently rolling out in preview updates for Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1.
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