Can You Use Two Bluetooth Headphones Simultaneously? (Solved)
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If you are like me, then you love music and podcasts. I use Bluetooth headphones to listen to my favorite tunes while working out or doing chores around the house. One of the most common questions that people ask is if they can use two Bluetooth headphones simultaneously.
It is possible to use two Bluetooth headphones at the same time, but it depends on the device you are pairing the headphones with. Some smartphones allow multiple Bluetooth connections at the same time. With Samsung phones, you can use headphones from different brands, with iPhone you need headphones with Apple’s W1 or H1 chip.
Read through as I discuss this topic in detail and discover how to use two Bluetooth headphones simultaneously.
Can You Connect Two Bluetooth Headphones Simultaneously?
As I have mentioned above, there are some devices that can make this possible. For instance, some newer smartphones have the new built-in dual support, which allows them to connect with two devices at the same time.
While some devices may not have this feature, there are workarounds. For example, you can use a Bluetooth splitter to connect two headphones to one device. This will allow both people to listen to the same thing simultaneously.
Another workaround is to use a Bluetooth audio transmitter. This will let you connect two headphones wirelessly to your TV or stereo. My favorite Bluetooth transmitter is the Avantree Orbit. You can read my review here Avantree Orbit Bluetooth TV Audio Transmitter | Review.
Can You Connect Two Bluetooth Headphones by Sharing the Same Connection?
This is not possible, so you will have to either use a wireless audio transmitter or find another workaround. For example, some people report that they can connect two headphones using one headphone jack but only if both devices support mono sound input/output.
You can try this workaround to see if it works. If not, you will have to invest in another pair of headphones or use a Bluetooth splitter.
How to Connect Two Bluetooth Headphones to Different Devices
How to Connect Two Bluetooth Headphones at the Same Time to PC
You can easily connect two Bluetooth headphones to your PC by using a Bluetooth audio transmitter. This lets you connect multiple headphones to one device and switch between each headset whenever needed.
The transmitter takes the audio signal from your PC and sends it wirelessly to the headphones. This is a great way to share music with friends or family members.
You, however, need to make sure the transmitter allows multiple connections, as some are designed to work with only one device at a time.
READ MORE! How To Make Your Computer Bluetooth Capable (Solved)
How to Connect Two Bluetooth Headphones at the Same Time to Mobile Phone or Tablet
Connecting multiple Bluetooth headphones using your mobile phone is easy if it supports dual connections. This will let you connect two wireless headsets simultaneously, which makes sharing music easy in this way. If the phone does not support dual connections, there are some workarounds.
For instance, you can use a Bluetooth splitter to connect two headsets at the same time while using one headphone jack for both devices. This is not ideal, but it will work in a pinch. Another workaround is to get another pair of headphones that has an audio input/output port so you can plug each set into its own device.
How to Connect Two Bluetooth Headphones at the Same Time to Windows 10
Windows has an awesome built-in feature that allows you to connect two Bluetooth headphones simultaneously. This is a great way to share music with someone else or listen privately while working out, running errands, etc.
However, you may still need a Bluetooth transmitter to connect two devices simultaneously. The only exception is if you have a newer Windows laptop or desktop that supports dual connections, allowing both headsets to use the same connection simultaneously.
READ MORE! How to Connect/Pair a Bluetooth Device on Windows 11 PC
How to Connect Two Bluetooth Headphones at the Same Time to TV or Stereo
If you want to connect two Bluetooth headphones to your TV or stereo, then you will need a Bluetooth audio transmitter. This is a small device that plugs into the headphone jack on your TV/stereo and lets you wirelessly connect two headphones at the same time.
The transmitter will take the audio signal from your TV/stereo and send it wirelessly to the headphones. This is a great way to share music with someone else or just listen privately. Make sure to check what type of input/output ports your TV or stereo has before purchasing. Again, you have to ensure the transmitter supports multiple connections.
READ MORE! What is the Best Bluetooth TV Transmitter In 2022?
How to Connect Two Bluetooth Headphones at the Same Time to iPhone
Apple removed the headphone jack in their newer iPhones and iPads, which means you can no longer connect two devices to one jack.
They, however, introduced a new feature that allows sharing audio output. While this feature is awesome, it only works with iPhones with the Apple W1 or H1 chip. So if you have an older iPhone, you may still need a Bluetooth transmitter. Check the table below to see what devices are compatible with this feature.
To use the new feature, launch “Bluetooth Settings” and go to connect two devices. Once connected, go to “share audio” so you can connect your two Bluetooth headphones.
This will allow you to share the audio output from your iPhone with someone else. Keep in mind that this only works with Apple headphones with the W1-series or H1-series chip. If you are using a pair of third-party headphones, they will not work with this feature. Plus, it only works with Airpods or Bluetooth devices from Beats.
How to Connect Two Bluetooth Headphones at the Same Time to Macbook
If you have a Mac OS, then you are the luckiest. To connect two Bluetooth headphones, access the MIDI setup from the utility folder. Allow multiple audio output devices. You will need to click on the “+” sign to add another device.
Connect the Bluetooth devices and ensure that the master and slave devices are on the same settings.
To confirm that both Bluetooth headphones are connected to your laptop, access the settings from System Preferences. You will then see a list of devices you can add under “Bluetooth”. Double-clicking on any one device should show all available services and information. Right-click each headset and select “connect” so they automatically connect when turned on.
Connecting to an Audio Mixing Software
Often, it is easy to connect two Bluetooth headphones to a desktop or laptop computer. However, if you are trying to connect them to an audio mixing software like Adobe Audition or Pro Tools, then you may run into some problems.
This is because most audio mixing software only allows one input and output device at a time. So to use both Bluetooth headphones, you will need to use an external audio interface. It can either be a USB or Firewire device that will let you connect two Bluetooth headphones at the same time.
The one benefit of using this method is that it allows any type of headphone on both devices – which means you don’t have to worry about incompatibilities. The only downside is that the interface may cost more than just using a Bluetooth transmitter.
Benefits of Connecting Two Bluetooth Devices at the Same Time
Being able two use two Bluetooth devices simultaneously comes with a raft of benefits. They include the following, among others:
Sharing Music Is Easier
Using two Bluetooth headphones allows you to share music with someone else simultaneously. It is great for sharing your workout playlist or audiobook with another person. You can also use it to watch a movie together on one TV, which makes things easier if there are only two of you watching.
Convenience
Connecting more than one device means you can go running with only one earpiece. This is perfect for people who don’t like the feeling of things pressing into their ears. Instead, they can keep both headphones in while listening to music or podcasts on a treadmill.
If you are using two Bluetooth devices at once, it means that there’s no need to carry an extra pair of wired headphones. This is especially true if you are traveling and need to use a Bluetooth headset for work or video calls while still enjoying music in your downtime.
It Offers More Choices
Using two Bluetooth headphones means you have more choices. You can connect them to your laptop or desktop computer, then switch back and forth between devices whenever you want. This is great for people who are always on the go or who need both a work and personal device at the same time.
Compatibility
Since most Bluetooth headphones are compatible with each other, you can use this feature to your advantage. For example, if one person has a pair of Beats headphones and the other has AirPods, then they can both still connect and share audio. This is great for people who want the best sound quality without any annoying lag or interference.
Which Devices Support Dual Audio Support?
Most manufacturers’ newer smartphones have a built-in capability for dual audio output. However, not all of them will work with all headphones. Take a look below the table to learn what headphones work with different brands.
Here are all the devices and models that support dual audio. This list is dynamic and will update as new devices and models are released or if I become aware of devices not on the list.
Brand | Model | Category |
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Samsung Galaxy (Android)
Samsung is one of the companies that allow you to use two headphones at the same time without restricting the headphones to their own brand. They have this feature built-in, so it’s simple to set it up. An audio file can only be played on a maximum of two devices at the same time.
Samsung has consolidated all dual audio-related settings under the Media panel, starting with UI 2.0 on Android 10 and continuing with the One UI 3.0 update on Android 11. Note that only Android phones with Bluetooth 5.0 or later can simultaneously play music on several Bluetooth devices (check out the table above).
Apple iPhone and iPad
With Apple’s iPhone and iPad, you have been able to listen with two Bluetooth headphones at the same time for several years already through AirPlay. However, you have to use specific headphones for this feature to work.
First of all, you need a device that supports dual audio. As you can see from the table above, all iPhones made after iPhone 8 have support for dual audio. So the next step is to have compatible wireless headphones.
To connect two headphones to an iPhone, they need to use Apple’s own W1- or H1-chip.
The first generation AirPods featured Apple’s W1 chips, which were replaced with the H1 chip in the second-generation AirPods. The new chip added more capabilities and improved performance like faster pairing and lower latency. However, the H1 was not only for AirPods; it’s also utilized in a variety of other products as well.
The table below shows all compatible headphone models you can use with Apple’s dual audio:
Brand | Name | Chip |
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Final Thoughts
In a world where technology is constantly advancing, it’s no wonder that people are starting to use two Bluetooth headphones at the same time. This handy feature has various benefits that can make life easier and more convenient.
So if you’re looking for a way to share audio with someone else or want the convenience of using only one earpiece, then it’s definitely worth considering.
Espen
Espen is the Director of ProPairing and has written extensively about Bluetooth devices for years. He is a consumer product expert and has personally tested Bluetooth devices for the last decade.