The TL;DR
- The latest Windows 11 Update KB5094126 introduces native Shared Audio, which allows your PC to stream the same, synchronized system audio to two pairs of wireless headphones or earbuds at the same time.
- The feature uses Bluetooth LE Audio’s advanced streaming properties.
- To enable this feature, both your wireless PC card and connected earbuds or headphones must support Bluetooth LE Audio with Bluetooth 5.3 or newer.
One of the best features of the Bluetooth 5.3 (now old) release was Bluetooth LE Audio, which fundamentally changed the way we handle multi-device audio streaming. It has opened the way for many listeners to stream well-synchronized audio from a single source to their pair of wireless earbuds or headphones. While recent flagship phones like the Google Pixel and the Samsung Galaxy S series have supported native Audio Sharing for a while, doing the same on a laptop has historically been a nightmare, forcing users to rely on flimsy third-party software to split the signal. Thankfully, Microsoft has finally caught up, with native audio sharing now moving forward in Windows 11.
With the latest Windows 11 stable update KB5094126 rolling out as part of the June 2026 Patch Tuesday cycle, Microsoft officially introduced the native shared audio feature to all Windows PC users and compatible laptops (h/t Latest Windows).
This new system allows your PC to stream the same, synchronized system audio to two separate pairs of connected Bluetooth headphones, speakers, or hearing aids at the same time. For audiophiles, the real deal is the slow, steady victory of Bluetooth LE Audio.
Classic Bluetooth relies on a strong, point-to-point connection. It is not designed to communicate with multiple independent receivers simultaneously without severe latency penalties or significant bandwidth degradation. Windows finally overcomes these limitations by improving the LE Audio streaming architecture.
Once you’ve received the update, activating the feature is straightforward:
- Open the Quick Settings panel from your Windows taskbar.
- Click on new “Shared audio” change.
- Choose two connected, supported wireless audio accessories.
- Tap “Start sharing.”
Of course, this brings us to the inevitable hardware bottleneck. To use Shared Audio, your audio gear cannot be born in the past. If you are using older headphones with Bluetooth 5.0 or 5.2 Classic, this option will not appear. Your wireless earbuds or over-ears must support Bluetooth LE Audio with Bluetooth 5.3 or newer.
Your PC/laptop’s wireless card must also support Bluetooth 5.3 or newer. You can verify that Bluetooth LE is natively supported on your PC by going to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Devices (click on one of the paired headsets), and there you will find a toggle called “Use LE Audio if available.”
The good news is that the hardware ecosystem is finally mature. The new TWS earbuds and wireless headphones already feature Bluetooth LE Audio compatibility out of the box. With Windows 11 adding native, stable support, your favorite LE Audio buds just got more flexible for sharing audio with friends.
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