Introduction

Are you eager to connect two Bluetooth headphones to your iPhone simultaneously? This article explores the current limitations and solutions, as well as the future prospects of this functionality with the upcoming Bluetooth 6.0.

Current Limitations

As of the current technology, it is not possible to directly connect two Bluetooth headphones to an iPhone for simultaneous audio playback. This limitation stems from the inherent design of the Bluetooth protocol, which supports pairing and streaming audio to a single device at a time.

Workarounds and Solutions

Despite this limitation, there are several workarounds available to enhance your audio experience:

Audio Sharing

Apple's Audio Sharing feature, available on iPhone models running iOS 13 or later, can be utilized to share audio between two sets of compatible Bluetooth headphones. Here's how it works:

Connect the first pair of headphones to your iPhone. Open the Control Center and tap on the audio icon in the upper right corner. Tap on the AirPlay icon and select “Share Audio.” Follow the prompts to connect the second pair of headphones.

This feature requires both pairs of headphones to support the Audio Sharing protocol, which is primarily available on AirPods and compatible Beats headphones.

Third-Party Apps

Several third-party apps exist that allow you to stream audio to multiple devices, though the experience may vary and could involve latency issues. However, these apps are not always guaranteed to work flawlessly and may not provide the best audio quality.

Bluetooth Splitters

Bluetooth splitters can be used to connect multiple headphones to a single iPhone. These devices come in physical forms that connect to the iPhone's headphone jack or Lightning port. They essentially extend the Bluetooth function, allowing you to pair multiple headphones at once.

Future: Bluetooth 6.0 and LE Audio

The eagerly awaited Bluetooth 6.0, also known as Bluetooth LE Audio, is expected to be implemented in the market in 2022. This new protocol promises a multitude of advancements, including:

Simultaneous Connection of Two or More Devices

With Bluetooth 6.0, it will be possible to pair two or more headphones to one Bluetooth transmitter, similar to the Audio Sharing feature on iOS 13 but with broader compatibility.

Enhanced Audio Experience

A key improvement will be the ability to send separate channels to the left and right earbuds of True Wireless In-Ear Monitors (TWS IEMs). This will significantly reduce the burden of syncing and potentially improve the overall audio fidelity.

Auracast Technology

Diverse applications of Auracast, a feature included in LE Audio, include:

Hearing aids Public address systems

In an Auracast-enabled environment, such as an airport or sports bar, users can choose to listen to specific announcements or broadcasts tailored to their needs, enhancing the multi-user audio experience.

Compatibility and Future Prospects

However, it's important to note that existing Bluetooth 4.xx and 5.xx headphones or TWS IEMs will not be compatible with Bluetooth 6.0 and LE Audio standards in the near future. These devices will have to be updated or replaced with LE Audio-compatible models to enjoy the benefits of this new technology.