Netflix Says It's Not Testing Spatial Audio Support for AirPods

Monday February 22, 2021 9:55 am PST by Sami Fathi

Netflix says it's not currently testing spatial audio support for the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, putting to rest an earlier report that claimed support would roll out in the spring.

Image via iPhoneSoft

In a statement to MacRumors, a Netflix spokesperson says that it's not currently testing spatial audio support, and has no plans to make public at this point in time. Netflix instead says it was testing multi-channel support for built-in speakers, as part of its mission to "improve" its service, and evaluate "new experiences" for users.

Netflix and AirPods users have been on edge, waiting for the streaming giant to adopt the feature. The pressure on Netflix isn't made any lighter given the fact that a number of its biggest competitors such as Disney Plus, HBO Max, and of course, Apple TV+, all already include Spatial audio support.

Spatial audio brings three-dimensional sound to your ‌AirPods Pro‌ and ‌AirPods Max‌. Your iOS device will compare its own data from the gyroscope and accelerometer against the data from your ‌AirPods‌, to ensure that your sound field stays anchored to the device even if you move your head.

Tag: Netflix

Top Rated Comments

WiseAJ

7 weeks ago

Why would they? They are anti-any Apple feature.

Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)

bpeeps

7 weeks ago

Spatial audio is a nice gimmick but use cases are severely limited. How often are people watching movies on their headphones and on their iPads, by themselves?

When my partner is asleep in bed and I don't want to disturb them.

Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)

WiseAJ

7 weeks ago

Apps with with Video players should be required to support system features like spatial audio and PiP. It’s crazy that apps like Netflix and YouTube stubbornly refuse to support them.

Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Romeo_Nightfall

7 weeks ago

Always a good message to customers - to not test something! Thx Netflix

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Scorch07

7 weeks ago

Spatial audio is a nice gimmick but use cases are severely limited. How often are people watching movies on their headphones and on their iPads, by themselves?

Almost every day. I’ve gotten so used to spatial audio with Apple TV and Disney+ that Netflix is definitely a noticeable tick down in audio experience now. So I’m very bummed to hear that they aren’t actively working towards.

Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

leepalisoc

7 weeks ago

Spatial audio is a nice gimmick but use cases are severely limited. How often are people watching movies on their headphones and on their iPads, by themselves?

You sound like a boomer. There are hundreds of thousands of students, for example, who procrastinate and watch Netflix on their their iPhone and/or iPad. Lol

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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