Android 16 QPR1 Beta: Auracast Audio Sharing Is Officially Back

Android 16 QPR1 brings back Auracast Audio Sharing, allowing users to broadcast audio to multiple compatible Bluetooth headphones. This feature, previously teased and then removed, now appears in beta settings. While some Samsung devices support it, broader compatibility, including with Pixel Buds, is still being refined. This update promises a more connected audio experience.

During the first day of the Google I/O 2025 event, the Mountain View giant made a cool move: it rolled out the Android 16 QPR1 beta for all eligible Pixel devices. The update allowed many users to get an early look at the design changes and new features coming later in the stable firmware. One of the best new features in Android 16 is Audio Sharing.

If you’ve been following Android developments, you might remember “Audio Sharing.” This option popped out earlier in Android 15 builds. It also briefly appeared in the first Android 16 Developer Preview release before disappearing again. It’s been a bit of a tease, right? But now, with the first beta for Android 16 QPR1 rolling out, the feature is back.

So, what exactly is Auracast, and why should you care? It’s a new Bluetooth technology that allows you to broadcast audio from your phone to multiple supported LE Audio headphones simultaneously. Imagine being able to easily share your music, a podcast, or even the audio from a video with friends or family, all listening at the same time.

If you have an eligible Google Pixel running Android 16 QPR1 beta, you can enable the option. You can find the “Audio Sharing” setting tucked away under “Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences.” From there, you’ll see options to connect to supported headphones and even discover “Nearby audio streams” from other users broadcasting via Auracast.

While the technology is exciting, widespread support is still growing. Some Samsung Galaxy devices already support Auracast, but it’s not yet common on iPhones. Interestingly, even though the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are designed to support Auracast, making them work with a Pixel phone running this QPR1 beta seems to require a bit more work. It appears Google still has some fine-tuning to do before it’s seamless across all its own devices.