In January, Google added support for static spatial audio to Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series phones. The company said that the feature will be available for the Pixel Buds Pro in the coming weeks but didn’t provide a timeline. It was spotted preparing for the rollout last month. After a slight delay, the promised update is finally here. Firmware version 4.30, which started rolling out yesterday, brings spatial audio with head tracking to the Pixel Buds Pro, Google announced in a community post.
Google adds spatial audio support to the Pixel Buds Pro
Spatial audio enables surround sound for compatible content. If your phone and earbuds support the feature, you’ll get an immersive music experience with the sound source automatically adjusting the direction as you move your head around. Your music will sound richer and have added depth, providing a theater-like experience. Most high-end devices boast this feature. Google is catching up to them by adding it to its recent Pixel smartphones and TWS earbuds. Spatial audio isn’t available for Pixel Buds A-Series or Pixel A-Series phones.
If you’re using the Pixel Buds Pro paired with a compatible Android device (Pixel or non-Pixel), you will get an immersive sound experience after the latest update. Your phone should automatically download the update when you use the earbuds. You can also manually check for updates from the Connected devices menu in Settings on a Pixel phone or through the Pixel Buds app on other Android smartphones. Once the update is downloaded, your buds will automatically install it when in the case. The whole process may take more than ten minutes.
After you have updated your Pixel Buds Pro, you will find a new Spatial Audio menu in the settings. It houses separate toggles for spatial audio and head tracking. Turn the toggles on to elevate your music experience. Make sure to enable the feature from the Bluetooth settings on your Pixel smartphone as well. Google says you might get a better experience if you “keep your phone steady or place it on a stable surface or stand” when watching Dolby Audio content (via). Most streaming apps support spatial audio, including Netflix, YouTube, and HBO Max.
This is the first update for the Pixel Buds Pro since October last year. The earbuds picked up firmware version 3.14 back then with a host of new features, including a full 5-band equalizer, controls for the left/right balance, and more. The Pixel Buds app also received an update last month. You can click here to download the latest version of the app from the Google Play Store.