Spatial sound lives in different places depending on what device you're using

Spatial sound — sometimes called surround sound, 3D audio, or immersive audio — creates the illusion that sound is coming from different directions around you. Where you find the settings depends entirely on whether you're using Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android. The steps are short once you know where to look, but the menu names don't match across devices.

This guide walks you through the exact path on each major platform. You'll need to know which operating system your device runs, but you don't need any special hardware — spatial sound works through regular headphones or speakers, though some setups sound noticeably better than others.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 11 spatial audio settings are in Settings > System > Sound, under the "Advanced" section near the bottom of the page.
  • Mac users find spatial audio in System Settings > Sound, then select your output device and check the "Spatial Audio" checkbox.
  • iPhone and iPad spatial audio is in Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual, toggled on under "Spatial Audio".
  • Android spatial audio location varies by manufacturer — Samsung calls it "Surround Sound" in Settings > Sounds and Vibration, while Google Pixel uses Settings > Sound and Vibration > Spatial Audio.
  • Not all apps and content support spatial sound, so turning it on won't affect everything you listen to.

Windows 11: Finding spatial audio in the Sound menu

Open Settings and go to System > Sound. Scroll down past the volume and output device controls until you see a section labeled "Advanced." Spatial audio options appear here, usually under a heading like "Spatial audio" or "Dolby Atmos for Headphones."

Windows 11 offers a few spatial audio formats depending on your hardware. You might see options for Dolby Atmos, Windows Sonic, or DTS:X. Each one processes sound differently — Dolby Atmos is the most common, but Windows Sonic is built into Windows and doesn't require extra software. Click the dropdown menu to switch between them, or turn spatial audio off entirely by selecting "Off."

If you don't see spatial audio options at all, your audio driver may need an update. Right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, find "Sound, video and game controllers," and look for your audio device. Right-click it and choose "Update driver."

Mac: Spatial audio in System Settings

On Mac, go to System Settings (not System Preferences — Apple renamed this in recent versions). Click Sound in the sidebar. You'll see a list of output devices — speakers, headphones, AirPods, or whatever you're currently using.

Select the device you want to use spatial audio with. A checkbox for "Spatial Audio" appears below the device name. Check the box to turn it on. If the checkbox is grayed out, that device doesn't support spatial audio — this is common with older Bluetooth speakers or wired headphones.

Mac's spatial audio works best with AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or certain other Apple-compatible headphones. If you're using generic headphones or speakers, the feature may be available but the effect will be subtle.

iPhone and iPad: Spatial audio in Accessibility settings

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings and go to Accessibility. Look for "Audio/Visual" (the exact name varies slightly by iOS version). Tap it, and you'll see a toggle for "Spatial Audio" near the top of the screen.

Turn the toggle on. Below it, you may see options to enable spatial audio for specific apps or content types — for example, "Spatial Audio for Movies" or "Spatial Audio for Music." These can be toggled separately, so you can have spatial audio on for video but off for music if you prefer.

Spatial audio on iPhone and iPad works with AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and some third-party headphones that support the feature. With regular wired headphones or basic Bluetooth speakers, the setting may be available but won't produce a noticeable effect.

Android: Settings vary by phone manufacturer

Android doesn't have a single standard location for spatial audio because different manufacturers implement it differently. The most common names are "Spatial Audio," "Surround Sound," or "3D Audio," but where you find them depends on your phone's brand.

Samsung phones: Go to Settings > Sounds and Vibration. Look for "Surround Sound" or "Spatial Audio" and toggle it on. Some Samsung models also have a "UHQ Upscaler" option nearby that enhances audio quality.

Google Pixel phones: Go to Settings > Sound and Vibration > Spatial Audio. Toggle it on. Pixel's spatial audio works with most Bluetooth headphones and wired headsets.

Other Android phones: Check your phone's Settings app under Sound, Audio, or Sound and Vibration. If you can't find it, search the Settings app for "spatial" or "surround" — most phones have a search function at the top of Settings.

If your phone doesn't have a spatial audio setting, your device may not support the feature. This is more common on older or budget Android phones.

What to do if spatial audio isn't working or sounds wrong

Turning on spatial audio doesn't mean every app or song will use it. Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ support spatial audio, but YouTube, Spotify, and many podcasts don't. If you turn on spatial audio and notice no difference, check whether the content you're listening to actually supports it.

If spatial audio is on but sounds distorted or uncomfortable, try turning it off and back on. Some headphones work better with spatial audio than others — AirPods Pro and high-end gaming headsets tend to sound better than basic earbuds. You can also try switching between different spatial audio formats on Windows (Dolby Atmos vs. Windows Sonic) to see which sounds better to you.

On any device, spatial audio uses more processing power than regular stereo sound. If your device feels slow or your battery drains faster, turning off spatial audio may help. It's not a huge drain, but it's worth knowing about if you're trying to extend battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special headphones for spatial audio to work?

No, spatial audio works through any headphones or speakers. However, the effect is more noticeable with higher-quality headphones. Basic earbuds will still produce spatial audio, but you might not hear much difference compared to regular stereo sound.

Will turning on spatial audio drain my battery faster?

Spatial audio uses slightly more processing power than regular audio, so battery drain may increase a little. The difference is usually small — a few percent per hour — but it's worth turning off if you're trying to maximize battery life on a long day.

Can I use spatial audio with Bluetooth speakers?

Yes, if your speaker supports it. Many modern Bluetooth speakers have spatial audio built in, but older or budget models don't. Check your speaker's manual or the manufacturer's website to see if it lists spatial audio or surround sound as a feature.

Why does spatial audio sound different on my phone than on my computer?

Different devices process spatial audio differently, and the quality depends on your headphones, the app you're using, and the content itself. A movie on your phone might sound more immersive than the same movie on your computer, or vice versa, depending on all these factors.

Is spatial audio the same as surround sound?

They're related but not identical. Surround sound typically refers to a multi-speaker setup in a room (like a home theater). Spatial audio creates a similar effect through headphones or a single speaker by processing the sound to trick your ears into perceiving direction and depth.