List of Apps that work with Spatial Audio

[Kylo83]

can't get social audio to work on AirPods max on macOS 11.1 in Apple TV app there's no option or in menu bar

 

[mmendoza27]

can't get social audio to work on AirPods max on macOS 11.1 in Apple TV app there's no option or in menu bar

I believe spatial audio only works on mobile devices, so iPhone and iPad: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211775

 

[bumbo]

It is in macOS 11.1, but seems only for Airpods Max

macOS Big Sur 11.1 now available with App Store privacy labels - 9to5Mac

 

[Boardiesboi]

It is in macOS 11.1, but seems only for Airpods Max

The release log seems to say that macOS 11.1 is compatible with AirPods Max. The rest of the description sounds like it’s describing what APM can do.

I’ve tried the APM on my M1 MBA and spatial audio cannot be turned on. Watched the same show from AppleTV+ on my iPhone and spatial audio is available.

 

[richard371]

There is no spatial audio on 11.1. I think its a typo.

 

[zea]

Although originally designed for Apple TV and home theater use, I was surprised to find my surround sound audio apps for iOS work great out-of-the-gate with Spatial Audio!

Surround Speaker Check - The free Speaker Check 5.1 test demonstrates the surround sound capabilities of Spatial Audio, while the Center Speaker Check track ($0.99) IAP is a great way for viewers to clearly experience Apple's Spatial Audio head tracking feature in action.

Surround Sound Ear Candy - App-album featuring guitar-centric surround soundscapes and instrumental music. Perhaps offering a glimpse at how music might sound if Apple Music offered Spatial Audio? (Please read app description before downloading.)

Vermont Sleep Sounds & Music - Immersive recordings of nature, white noise and relaxing music, featuring Dolby Atmos tracks. Update (v1.1.2) for Spatial Audio support out today! (My newest app - still a work in progress!)

I hope it's okay to share these here. Let me know if otherwise and I'll edit or remove this post. Thanks.

—Jeff P.

You’re the dev for Surround Speaker Check? I’ve been using that app for years on the Apple TV. It’s great. Really comes in handy with testing different configurations.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Is it confirmed or just based on the changelog?
Can Airpods Pro owners confirm that in 11.1 they can’t do Spatial Audio?

No spatial with my AirPods Pro on macOS or AppleTV, only iPhone.

Don't have a Max to test with.

 

[MecPro]

Is it confirmed or just based on the changelog?
Can Airpods Pro owners confirm that in 11.1 they can’t do Spatial Audio?

Checked this morning with Mandolorian on iPhone then BigSur. Bit annoying and I really hope the Max doesn't have exclusivity over spacial audio

 

[ader42]

Can Spatial Audio be heard on APP or APM if airplaying a movie from iPhone11Pro to an airplay 2 capable TV?

 

[giggles]

I just had an idea.
We could mute the TV and play the same movie at the same exact time on the iPhone and AppleTv. And place the iPhone exactly where the TV is.
Infuse and Plex could make this automatic as a software feature.

 

[ader42]

I just had an idea.
We could mute the TV and play the same movie at the same exact time on the iPhone and AppleTv. And place the iPhone exactly where the TV is.
Infuse and Plex could make this automatic as a software feature.

I was thinking of simply putting the iphone or ipad below the tv when airplaying to it. But any options for watching on a tv with spatial audio would be good.

 

[mikemj23]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but watching The Mandalorian with Spatial Audio is an amazing experience.

 

[Beau10]

I was thinking of simply putting the iphone or ipad below the tv when airplaying to it. But any options for watching on a tv with spatial audio would be good.

It doesn't work, it switches to the audio for the device selected. I do wish they gave the option to simply place a spatial audio compliant device under an AP2 compliant device.

 

[marvin_h]

That would be awesome.

It is jsut about the only feature that would get me to buy a new ATV when the next generation comes out.

And I have a little hope, since the new ATV is about adding features for gaming...and spatial audio is a big deal in gaming.

 

[musicpenguy]

It doesn't work, it switches to the audio for the device selected. I do wish they gave the option to simply place a spatial audio compliant device under an AP2 compliant device.

This works if you are wired to the TV with an adapter for HDMI

 

[marvin_h]

This works if you are wired to the TV with an adapter for HDMI

wow. This is fascinating. I assume you mean with official Apple adapter (lightning to hdmi adapter)?

 

[musicpenguy]

wow. This is fascinating. I assume you mean with official Apple adapter (lightning to hdmi adapter)?

That or on the iPad you can use one of many USB-C adapters that output to HDMI - but yea on iPhone the Apple one would be what I’d go with

 

[marvin_h]

That or on the iPad you can use one of many USB-C adapters that output to HDMI - but yea on iPhone the Apple one would be what I’d go with

Sounds like you have tested with the iPad but not the iPhone? Guess I'll have to pick an adapter up And try it. My 5th gen iPad is too old for spatial audio sadly.

 

[marvin_h]

But my iphone XR works well with it and if it's possible to make it work when displaying on a large external screen, that is fantastic!

 

[Beau10]

This works if you are wired to the TV with an adapter for HDMI

Interesting... I had one of those adaptors a couple years back but I think lost it in a move. I guess I'll get another, that would be a very handy holdover until the next gen ATV comes out. Great to hear, thanks!

 

[marvin_h]

And maybe even longer since there is no confirmation that the next ATV will support spatial audio.

 

[diamond.g]

Can anyone else confirm that HBOMax supports spatial audio?

 

[marvin_h]

HBOMax has it on my iPhone XR.

 

[petterihiisila]

Supported Devices:

• ...
• M1 capable Mac with Big Sur installed (can someone test and confirm,?)

Not true for M1 Macs. I've seen several news sites quote 11.1 release notes mentioning Spatial Audio for Big Sur, but that very bullet has been since redacted from the Big Sur download page in the Mac App Store.

Also, there's no such option on my M1 Mac running Big Sur 11.1.

There's every reason to believe the news sites (including MacRumors) quoted Apple accurately at the time, but it must have been a documentation mistake by Apple and they've since removed any mention Spatial Audio in the context of macOS from their download page and support articles.

I remember reading from somewhere that Spatial Audio requires an accelerometer or gyro to work. And maybe that's so, but I'd be quite happy to get just the surround effect with no head tracking. I know well enough to keep the Mac in front of me when watching movie. Already sent feedback to Apple, please do the same. Spatial Audio Lite ™, there's a free marketing term for it.

 

[marvin_h]

I sent my feedback too. I'm not super hopeful but it doesn't hurt.

I just hope they don't close the loop with the hdmi adapter!