About spatial audio with Dolby Atmos in Apple Music

If you subscribe to Apple Music, you can listen to select songs in spatial audio with Dolby Atmos. Get a multidimensional experience that goes beyond just listening to music and makes you feel like you’re inside of it. And listen on any headphones, the built-in speakers on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, with Apple TV 4K, and Android device.

Choose how to listen to Dolby Atmos on your iPhone or iPad

1. Update your iPhone or iPad to iOS or iPadOS 14.6 or later.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Tap Music.
4. Under Audio, tap Dolby Atmos.
5. Choose Automatic, Always On, or turn Dolby Atmos off.

If you choose Automatic, here’s what you need

Supported songs automatically play in Dolby Atmos when you’re listening with:

• AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with spatial audio turned on. Go to Control Center, touch and hold the volume button, then tap Spatial Audio.
• AirPods
• BeatsX, Beats Solo3 Wireless, Beats Studio3, Powerbeats3 Wireless, Beats Flex, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Solo Pro, or Beats Studio Buds
• The built-in speakers on an iPhone XS or later (except iPhone SE), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later), iPad Pro 11-inch, or iPad Air (4th generation)

If you choose Always On, here’s what you need

If you want to use other headphones that don’t support automatic playback, choose Always On.

Choose how to listen to Dolby Atmos on your Mac

1. Update your Mac to macOS 11.4 or later.
2. Open the Apple Music app.
3. In the menu bar, choose Music > Preferences.
4. Click the Playback tab.
5. Choose Automatic, Always On, or turn Dolby Atmos off.

If you choose Automatic, here’s what you need

Supported songs automatically play in Dolby Atmos when you’re listening with:

• AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max
• BeatsX, Beats Solo3 Wireless, Beats Studio3, Powerbeats3 Wireless, Beats Flex, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Solo Pro, or Beats Studio Buds
• The built-in speakers on a MacBook Pro (2018 model or later), MacBook Air (2018 model or later), or iMac (2021 model)

If you choose Always On, here’s what you need

If you want to use other headphones that don’t support automatic playback, choose Always On.

How to listen to Dolby Atmos on your Apple TV 4K

Update your Apple TV 4K to tvOS 14.6 or later. Then make sure that you have one of the following connections:

• HomePod speakers set up as the default speakers
• A Dolby Atmos compatible sound bar, Dolby Atmos enabled AV Receiver, or television that supports Dolby Atmos audio
• AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max
• BeatsX, Beats Solo3 Wireless, Beats Studio3, Powerbeats3 Wireless, Beats Flex, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Solo Pro, or Beats Studio Buds

Turn Dolby Atmos on or off

1. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Apps.
2. Select Music.
3. Select Dolby Atmos to change it to Automatic or Off.

How to listen to Dolby Atmos on your Android device

• You need an Android device that supports Dolby Atmos. To see if your Android device is supported, check with your device’s manufacturer.
• Update the Apple Music app to the latest version.

Turn Dolby Atmos on or off

1. Open the Apple Music app.
2. Tap the More button  .
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Dolby Atmos to turn it on or off.

Frequently asked questions

If I turn up the volume of Dolby Atmos tracks, I notice that stereo tracks

play much louder. What should I do?

Turn on Sound Check. Here’s how:

• On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Music, and turn on Sound Check.
• On your Mac, open the Apple Music app. In the menu bar, choose Music > Preferences. Click the Playback tab, then select Sound Check to turn it on.
• On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Apps > Music, and turn on Sound Check.

Is spatial audio with dynamic head tracking available for music?

We are excited to announce that spatial audio with dynamic head tracking is coming to Apple Music in the fall. Dynamic head tracking creates an even more immersive experience for spatial audio. It brings music to life by delivering sound that dynamically adjusts as you turn your head. And you can experience spatial audio with dynamic head tracking on AirPods Pro and AirPods Max with a compatible iPhone or iPad.

Can I listen to music from Apple Music in Dolby Atmos on HomePod speakers?

Currently HomePod speakers must be connected to your Apple TV 4K to play music in Dolby Atmos.

How can I see if a song is available in Dolby Atmos?

Play the song, then check for the Dolby Atmos badge in Now Playing. If every song on an album is available in Dolby Atmos, you’ll see the Dolby Atmos badge on the album’s detail page. Some songs are available in Dolby Atmos only on a particular version of an album.

Whatʼs the best way to find music in Dolby Atmos?

You can find music available in Dolby Atmos on Apple Musicʼs editorial playlists.

How can I get a Dolby Atmos version of a song that I already downloaded to

my library?

To get a Dolby Atmos version of a song that you already downloaded from Apple Music, just delete the song and redownload it from the Apple Music catalog.

Make sure that you turn on “Download in Dolby Atmos” in Settings on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Android device. Here’s how:

• On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Music, and turn on Download in Dolby Atmos.
• On your Mac, open the Apple Music app. In the menu bar, choose Music > Preferences. Click the General tab, then select Download in Dolby Atmos.
• On your Android device, open the Apple Music app. Tap the More button  , tap Settings, then turn on Download Dolby Atmos.

How can I listen to the stereo version of a song that’s downloaded in

Dolby Atmos?

When you download a Dolby Atmos version of a song, a stereo version of the song is downloaded too. To listen to the stereo version of a song, just turn off Dolby Atmos in Settings, then play the song.

Apple Music availability might vary by country or region. Learn what’s available in your country or region.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date: July 22, 2021

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