Whether it’s on a busy flight or in a crowded cafe, there are often times when you’ll want to share your headphones with a friend to listen to a song.
But awkwardly craning your neck is finally a thing of the past, thanks to a little-known Apple trick.
The tech giant recently introduced a feature called Audio Sharing, which allows you to connect two pairs of Bluetooth earphones to one device.
Best of all, the two users can maintain their own separate volume controls, so your eardrums won’t be blown out if your friend likes it loud!
Apple recently introduced a feature called Audio Sharing, which allows you to connect two pairs of Bluetooth earphones to one device
The Audio Sharing feature was quietly released last year, but isn’t widely known.
Apple explained: ‘With the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, you and a friend can both listen with AirPods or Beats wireless headphones to audio from your iPhone or iPad.’
To make use of it, you’ll need an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, and AirPods, AirPods Max, AirPods Pro, or Beats headphones.
Start by connecting your earphones to your Apple device, before tapping the AirPlay icon in the Control Centre, the Lock Screen or in the app you’d like to listen to. Next, tap ‘Share Audio’.
If your friend has AirPods or AirPods Pro, hold them close to your device with the AirPods inside the case and the lid open, while if they’re using AirPods Max, simply hold them close to your device.
You should see your friend’s headphones appear on the screen – then tap Share Audio to get sharing.
Apple added: ‘You can change the volume and play, pause, and stop your audio with the controls that are on the Lock Screen or in Control Center on your iPhone or iPad.
‘Drag the volume slider for either set of headphones, or drag the volume slider at the bottom to control the volume of both headphones.’
Once you’ve had enough, simply tap the AirPlay icon again, and tap the checkmark next to the headphones you want to stop sharing with.
Best of all, the two users can maintain their own separate volume controls, so your eardrums won’t be blown out if your friend likes it loud
If you’re lucky enough to have an Apple TV 4K, you can also send audio from the device to up to two pairs of Apple headphones.
To do so, press and hold the Home button on the Siri Remote to open the Control Centre, before selecting Audio Controls.
Swipe down to headphones, then select the headphones you’d like to use. Select Share Audio, then follow the on-screen instructions to pair the second pair of headphones.
While Apple didn’t make a huge deal of the feature launch, several fans have taken to Twitter to celebrate it.
One user said: ‘Idk y more people aren’t talking about iOS 13’s audio sharing capabilities, basically you can connect more than one pair of AirPods or beat headphones to one device. That’s so useful!!!!! Twitter get on it! Apple well done people!’
Another added: ‘Audio sharing with two Airpods. Finally!’
And one joked: ‘Silent disco anyone?’
THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE
The company’s journey to the summit of the technology industry has been a rocky one, having seen Jobs (pictured right in 1976) leave the firm in the mid-1980s after his pet project, the first Macintosh computer, struggled and he attempted to oust then chief executive John Sculley. Wozniak is pictured left
1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1 1976 as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.
The first product was the Apple I.
1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market.
1981: Jobs became chairman.
1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.
1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.
1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.
2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.
The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.
Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation’s new Macintosh February 6, 1984 in California.
The then Chief Executive Officer of Apple, Steve Jobs, with the iPhone
2007: Apple unveils the iPhone.
2010: The first iPad was unveiled.
2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Job died in October from pancreatic cancer.
2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones – the 6 and 6 Plus.
2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs speaks at an Apple event at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.
2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.
2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner’s face.
2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers.
2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.
2020: In March, Apple closes all its bricks and mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus.
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This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
