Have you ever been on a plane, sharing your iPad with a friend or loved one, and wished you could both listen to the same movie or music without resorting to a cumbersome wired splitter? Or perhaps you're just at home, chilling with a podcast, and your partner wants to join in without disturbing anyone else? Well, you're in luck! Connecting two Bluetooth headphones to your iPad for simultaneous audio enjoyment is absolutely possible, thanks to Apple's ingenious "Audio Sharing" feature.
This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can easily share your iPad's audio with two sets of headphones. Let's dive in!
Sharing the Sound: Connecting Two Bluetooth Headphones to Your iPad
Apple's Audio Sharing feature, introduced with iOS 13.1 and iPadOS 13.1, is a game-changer for shared listening experiences. It allows you to output audio from your iPad to two compatible sets of Bluetooth headphones simultaneously.
Compatibility Check: Are Your Devices Ready?
Before we begin, it's crucial to confirm that your iPad and headphones are compatible with the Audio Sharing feature.
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iPad Compatibility: You'll need an iPad running iPadOS 13.1 or later. The feature works with a wide range of iPad models, including:
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (2nd generation or later)
- iPad Pro (11-inch)
- iPad Pro (10.5-inch)
- iPad Air (3rd generation or later)
- iPad (5th generation or later)
- iPad mini (5th generation or later)
- And all newer models!
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Headphone Compatibility: This is where the Apple ecosystem plays a role. Audio Sharing is primarily designed to work with Apple's own AirPods and Beats headphones that feature the Apple H1 or W1 chip. This includes models like:
- AirPods (1st generation or later, including AirPods Pro and AirPods Max)
- Powerbeats Pro
- Beats Solo Pro
- Beats Studio Buds
- Beats Fit Pro
- Beats Studio Buds +
- Powerbeats
- Beats Solo3 Wireless
- Beats Studio3 Wireless
- BeatsX
- Beats Flex
If you have non-Apple Bluetooth headphones, this feature will not work directly. In such cases, you might need a third-party Bluetooth audio transmitter that supports dual connections. We'll touch on this briefly later.
Step 1: Ensure Your iPad's Software is Up-to-Date
First things first, let's make sure your iPad is running the necessary software.
- Engage with me! Before you proceed, quickly tell me: What model of iPad do you have, and what iPadOS version is it currently running? You can find this by going to Settings > General > About > Software Version. Once you confirm it's iPadOS 13.1 or later, we can move on!
If your iPad is not on iPadOS 13.1 or newer, here's how to update it:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap Download and Install. Follow the on-screen prompts.
Step 2: Pair Your First Set of Bluetooth Headphones
This is usually a straightforward process.
- Prepare your first headphones: Put your first pair of compatible Bluetooth headphones into pairing mode. The method for doing this varies by headphone model, so consult your headphone's manual if you're unsure. For most AirPods, simply open the charging case lid with the AirPods inside, near your iPad. For Beats headphones, you usually press and hold the power button until the indicator light blinks.
- Enable Bluetooth on your iPad:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Make sure the Bluetooth toggle is switched ON (it will be green).
- Connect the first headphones: Under "MY DEVICES," you should see your headphones appear. Tap on their name to connect. Once connected, they will show "Connected" next to their name.
Step 3: Connect Your Second Set of Bluetooth Headphones Using Audio Sharing
Now for the magic! This is where the Audio Sharing feature comes into play.
- Start playing audio: With your first set of headphones connected, start playing any audio on your iPad. This could be a song, a video, a podcast – anything that produces sound.
- Access Control Center:
- If your iPad has Face ID (no Home button): Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
- If your iPad has a Home button: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the Audio Output Icon: In the Control Center, locate the audio control card (usually in the top-right corner, resembling a triangle with three concentric circles). Tap on it.
- Initiate Share Audio: You'll see the name of your currently connected headphones. Below their name, you'll see a "Share Audio" option. Tap it.
- Bring the second headphones close: Now, bring your second pair of compatible Bluetooth headphones (either AirPods or Beats) close to your iPad.
- If they are AirPods: Open the lid of their charging case with the AirPods inside.
- If they are Beats: Ensure they are powered on and in pairing mode if prompted.
- Follow on-screen prompts: Your iPad should automatically detect the second pair of headphones and a prompt will appear on your screen asking if you want to "Share Audio." Tap Share Audio on the prompt. You might see a "Connecting..." message, followed by confirmation that they are connected.
- Adjust individual volumes: Once both sets of headphones are connected, you'll notice two separate volume sliders in the Audio Output section of the Control Center. This allows you to individually adjust the volume for each pair of headphones, which is incredibly useful for different listening preferences!
And just like that, you're now sharing audio from your iPad with two sets of Bluetooth headphones!
What if I don't have compatible Apple/Beats headphones?
If your headphones are not Apple or Beats models with the H1/W1 chip, the built-in Audio Sharing feature will not work. However, there's a workaround using a third-party Bluetooth audio transmitter/splitter.
- Purchase a compatible transmitter: Look for a Bluetooth audio transmitter that specifically advertises "dual headphone connection" or "simultaneous two-device pairing." Many of these connect via a USB-C port (or Lightning, depending on your iPad model, often with an adapter) or the 3.5mm headphone jack if your iPad has one.
- Connect the transmitter to your iPad: Plug the transmitter into your iPad's audio output port. Your iPad will then treat this transmitter as its primary audio output device.
- Pair your headphones to the transmitter: Follow the instructions for your specific Bluetooth transmitter to pair both of your Bluetooth headphones to it. The iPad is simply sending audio to the transmitter, and the transmitter is then relaying it to both sets of headphones.
Keep in mind: Using a third-party transmitter might introduce a slight audio delay (latency) and the individual volume control feature might not be as seamless as Apple's native Audio Sharing.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Make sure Bluetooth is ON: Seems obvious, but sometimes it gets toggled off!
- Headphones in Pairing Mode: Always ensure the second pair of headphones is discoverable.
- Bring them close: Physical proximity to the iPad is important for the Audio Sharing prompt to appear.
- Restart everything: If you're having trouble, try restarting your iPad and both sets of headphones.
- Forget and Re-pair: Sometimes, "forgetting" the Bluetooth connection for a problematic pair of headphones (in Settings > Bluetooth, tap the "i" next to the device and select "Forget This Device") and then re-pairing can resolve issues.
- Check Battery Levels: Ensure both sets of headphones have sufficient battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about connecting two Bluetooth headphones to an iPad:
How to check if my iPad supports Audio Sharing?
Go to Settings > General > About > Software Version. If your iPad is running iPadOS 13.1 or later, it supports Audio Sharing.
How to know if my headphones are compatible with Audio Sharing?
Audio Sharing works with AirPods (all generations including Pro and Max) and most newer Beats headphones that have the Apple H1 or W1 chip. If your headphones are not from Apple or Beats, they are likely not compatible with this native feature.
How to adjust the volume for each person when sharing audio?
Once two headphones are connected via Audio Sharing, open the Control Center (swipe down from top-right or up from bottom). Tap the audio output icon, and you will see two separate volume sliders, allowing you to adjust each headphone's volume independently.
How to stop sharing audio with a second pair of headphones?
Open the Control Center, tap the audio output icon, and then tap the checkmark next to the name of the headphones you want to disconnect. This will stop sharing audio and disconnect that particular pair.
How to share audio if I have a wired headphone and a Bluetooth headphone?
Apple's Audio Sharing feature only works with two compatible Bluetooth headphones. You cannot natively combine a wired and a Bluetooth headphone for shared listening through this feature. You would need a third-party wired splitter for the wired headphones and then play audio to the Bluetooth headphones separately (but not simultaneously with the wired ones through Apple's feature).
How to share audio on an older iPad that doesn't support iPadOS 13.1?
If your iPad cannot update to iPadOS 13.1 or later, it does not support Apple's native Audio Sharing. You would need to use a third-party Bluetooth audio transmitter/splitter that plugs into your iPad's headphone jack (if it has one) or charging port (with an adapter).
How to troubleshoot if the "Share Audio" option isn't appearing?
Ensure your iPad is running iPadOS 13.1 or later, that the first pair of headphones is actively playing audio, and that the second pair of headphones is compatible (AirPods or W1/H1 Beats) and placed very close to your iPad. Restarting your iPad might also help.
How to use third-party Bluetooth headphones for dual audio on an iPad?
You cannot use Apple's built-in Audio Sharing with non-Apple/Beats headphones. Instead, you'll need a dedicated third-party Bluetooth audio transmitter that plugs into your iPad and is designed to connect to two Bluetooth headphones simultaneously.
How to tell if my Beats headphones have the W1 or H1 chip for Audio Sharing?
Generally, most newer Beats headphones released after 2016 (like BeatsX, Powerbeats3 Wireless, Solo3 Wireless, Studio3 Wireless, Powerbeats Pro, Solo Pro, Beats Flex, Beats Studio Buds, etc.) include these chips. You can usually find this information on the product packaging or the official Beats website for your specific model.
How to share audio with two iPhones/iPads for a group listening experience?
Apple's Audio Sharing allows you to share audio from one iPhone or iPad to two sets of compatible headphones. It does not directly facilitate sharing audio from one iPad to another iPad with headphones connected. For that, you'd typically need a separate app or a multi-room audio system.
