My spouse and I often download a few episodes to view throughout our journey. However, we always have to divide a pair of AirPods so that each of us has one earphone while we watch certain episodes. This may be quite distracting since one ear is enjoying the entertainment while the other is compelled to listen to whatever is going on around the aircraft. However, we can individually use our own pairs of AirPods to watch a program together because of Apple’s Audio Sharing function.

iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 brought Audio Sharing. It enables a single iPhone or iPad to link with two pairs of compatible AirPods or Beats headphones. In order to avoid bothering others around you, you and one other person may lose yourselves in music, movies, or TED Talks.

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To share audio with another pair of AirPods or Beats headphones, follow these steps.

How to share a love of podcasts and music

On an iPhone, the podcast If Books Could Kill is playing while the media player is open. Near the bottom of the screen, the words “Zachary’s AirPods Pod” are highlighted in red.
By touching your own headphone control, you may share your audio with another set of headphones.

1. With your AirPods in your ears and linked to your iPhone or iPad, launch Spotify, Music, Podcasts, or any comparable app.
2. Play a podcast or some music.
3. Swipe down from the upper right corner of your screen to see your Control Center.
4. Navigate to the audio controls page, which is automatically your second Control Center page.
5. Press the AirPods emblem close to the screen’s bottom.
6. Select “Share Audio.”
7. Place the second set of Beats headphones or AirPods in their case next to your gadget. To enter Pairing Mode, you may need to push the button on the back of your AirPods case.
8. When the other AirPods or Beats headphones are detected by your smartphone, tap Share Audio.

An iPhone displaying the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro volume controls.
The linked gadget allows you to adjust the volume on both headphones.

Headphone controls allow each set of headphones to adjust their own volume, or you may use the connected device to adjust the level for each pair. However, you will be able to listen to music or podcasts together without breaking a pair of AirPods or upsetting others around you.

How to use separate headphones to view a film or television program

It’s akin to pairing your smartphone with another pair of headphones to view a movie or TV show. Here’s how.

1. Put on your headphones and launch a streaming app, such as YouTube, Netflix, or Apple TV.
2. Turn on a movie or television program.
3. To access your Control Center, swipe down from the upper right corner of your screen.
4. Navigate to the audio controls page, which is automatically your second Control Center page.
5. Press the AirPods emblem close to the screen’s bottom.
6. Select “Share Audio.”
7. Place the second set of Beats headphones or AirPods in their case next to your gadget. To enter Pairing Mode, you may need to push the button on the back of your AirPods case.
8. When the other AirPods or Beats headphones are detected by your smartphone, tap Share Audio.

The controls for sending the audio of a video to a different pair of headphones.
By selecting Share Audio, you may connect to a second pair of headphones and view or listen to content on the same screen as someone else.
You may now watch a video with someone else without bothering others around you or breaking a pair of AirPods.