Share Audio on Mac: How to Use It

Updated 4 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Share Audio on Mac lets you play the same sound through two sets of Bluetooth headphones or speakers at once, and it also lets you adjust each device’s volume independently. You use it when you and someone else want to watch a movie, listen to a podcast, or jam to music together without disturbing anyone around you. It works with compatible Beats and Apple headphones, and it’s built into macOS, so there’s no extra app to download.

What Share Audio Actually Does

Share Audio is a feature that streams one audio source to two separate Bluetooth audio devices at the same time. It’s not the same as AirPlay, which sends audio to a speaker or TV, and it’s not the same as multi-room audio, which plays different things in different rooms. With Share Audio, both people hear the exact same thing, in sync, from their own headphones.

The feature was introduced with iOS 13 in 2019 and later came to macOS. On a Mac, you can share audio from apps like Apple TV, Music, QuickTime Player, Safari, and most other apps that play sound. The Mac acts as the transmitter, sending the audio stream to two Bluetooth receivers simultaneously.

Requirements and Compatibility

Before you try to use Share Audio, check that your devices meet the requirements:

Your Mac must be running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later. The feature appears in the Bluetooth menu and in the Control Center’s Sound module.
Both audio devices must be compatible. Apple lists these as supported: AirPods (2nd generation and later), AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation), AirPods Max, Beats Solo Pro, Beats Powerbeats Pro, Beats Fit Pro, and Beats Studio Buds. Some older Beats models may not work.
Both devices must be paired with the same Mac and must be within Bluetooth range (typically about 30 feet or 10 meters).
Your Mac must have Bluetooth enabled, and the devices must be connected or at least paired.

If one of your headphones is not on the supported list, Share Audio won’t appear in the menu. There’s no workaround for this; it’s a hardware and firmware limitation.

How to Share Audio on a Mac: Step-by-Step

Here’s the exact process for current versions of macOS (Ventura and later):

Connect both pairs of headphones to your Mac via Bluetooth. Go to System Settings > Bluetooth and pair each device. Make sure both are listed as connected.
Play audio from any app, such as Apple Music or a YouTube video in Safari.
Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar (the two toggle switches icon).
Click the Sound button (the speaker icon). You’ll see a list of output devices.
Click the blue “Share Audioâ€¦” button near the top of the Sound section. If you don’t see it, your devices aren’t compatible or aren’t connected.
A pop-up appears listing both connected compatible devices. Check the box next to the second device you want to share audio with.
Both devices now play the same audio. You can adjust each device’s volume independently by moving the sliders next to each device name in the Sound section.

On older macOS versions (Catalina through Monterey), the steps are slightly different: open System Preferences > Sound > Output, and you’ll see a “Share Audio” checkbox next to each compatible device. Check the box for the second device.

What to Do If Share Audio Isn’t Working

If you don’t see the Share Audio option or it fails to connect, try these fixes in order:

Check compatibility. Make sure both devices are on the supported list. This is the most common reason the feature is missing.
Re-pair the devices. Forget both headphones in Bluetooth settings, then pair them again. Sometimes the Mac loses track of a device’s capabilities.
Update macOS. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has fixed bugs in this feature over the years, so being current helps.
Reset the Bluetooth module. Turn Bluetooth off and on again in Control Center. If that fails, restart your Mac.
Check for interference. Bluetooth can be flaky with many devices connected. Move closer to the Mac, and turn off other Bluetooth devices you don’t need.
Try a different app. Some apps (especially older ones or those with custom audio engines) may not support sharing. Test with Apple Music or a YouTube video.

If none of these work, the issue is likely hardware or firmware. Contact Apple Support or the headphone manufacturer.

Share Audio vs. Other Ways to Listen Together

Share Audio isn’t the only way to listen to the same thing on a Mac. Here’s how it compares to the alternatives:

Splitter cable: A physical 3.5mm splitter plugs into the headphone jack and gives you two jacks. It works with any headphones, but only if your Mac has a headphone jack (MacBook Air and MacBook Pro still do, but many dongles don’t). It’s wired, so you’re tethered to the Mac.
AirPlay 2: You can send audio to multiple AirPlay 2 speakers (like HomePods) at once, but not to AirPods. AirPlay is for speakers, not headphones.
Bluetooth Multipoint: Some Bluetooth headphones can connect to two devices at once, but that’s for switching between your Mac and phone, not for sharing audio with another person.
Third-party apps: Apps like Audio Hijack or Loopback can route audio to multiple outputs, but they’re paid and more complex. Share Audio is free and built-in.

For most people, Share Audio is the simplest and best option when both people have compatible Apple or Beats headphones.

Limitations and Common Misconceptions

There are a few things Share Audio does not do, and people often get these wrong:

It doesn’t work with non-Apple headphones. You can’t share audio to a pair of Sony or Bose headphones, no matter how new they are. The feature relies on Apple’s proprietary W1 or H1/H2 chip in the headphones.
It doesn’t work with Mac speakers. You can’t share audio from your Mac’s built-in speakers to a pair of AirPods. The Mac’s speakers are not considered a “device” for sharing.
It doesn’t play different audio to each person. Both people hear the same thing. There’s no way to send a different track to each device.
It doesn’t work over a phone call. Share Audio is for media playback, not for phone or FaceTime calls. If you’re on a call, the audio goes to one device only.
It’s not the same as “Audio Sharing” on iPhone. The iPhone feature works the same way, but the Mac version is separate. You can’t share audio from your iPhone to your Mac and then to AirPods.

Another common misconception is that Share Audio works with any Bluetooth speaker. It doesn’t. It’s specifically for headphones and earbuds, not speakers.

Tips for the Best Experience

To get the most out of Share Audio, keep these tips in mind:

Keep both headphones within 10 meters (33 feet) of the Mac. Walls and other objects can reduce range.
Charge both headphones. Low battery can cause audio dropouts or disconnections.
If you’re watching a movie, the audio is automatically synced between the two devices, so you won’t notice a delay. If you do notice a lag, try restarting the Mac or the headphones.
Use the volume sliders in Control Center to balance sound. One person might want it louder than the other.
If you’re sharing with someone who has AirPods, make sure they’re not already connected to their own iPhone. If they are, disconnect them first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why don’t I see the Share Audio option on my Mac?

The most likely reason is that one or both of your headphones are not compatible. Share Audio only works with specific Apple and Beats models that have the W1 or H1/H2 chip. Check the list above. Also make sure both devices are connected to the Mac, not just paired. If they’re connected to your iPhone, they won’t show up.

Can I share audio to two different brands of headphones?

No. Both devices must be Apple or Beats and on the supported list. You can’t mix a pair of AirPods with a pair of Sony headphones. The feature requires the proprietary chip in both devices.

Does Share Audio work with wired headphones?

No. Share Audio is a Bluetooth-only feature. If you want to share with wired headphones, use a physical splitter cable instead.

Can I share audio from my Mac to my iPhone?

No. Share Audio works from a Mac to Bluetooth headphones, not to another device like an iPhone or iPad. The receiving devices must be headphones or earbuds.

Does Share Audio drain the battery faster?

Yes, slightly. The Mac’s Bluetooth radio is sending two streams, and each headphone is receiving audio, so both the Mac and the headphones will use more battery than with a single connection. The exact impact varies, but you can expect a noticeable reduction in listening time.

Can I share audio from a Mac to two pairs of AirPods at the same time?

Yes, that works perfectly, as long as both pairs are compatible (AirPods 2nd gen or later, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max). This is the most common use case.

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