No, iPhones cannot simultaneously play audio on two Bluetooth devices. While an iPhone can be paired with multiple Bluetooth devices (for example, headphones and a car's audio system), it can only actively stream audio to one at a time. Attempting to play audio on a second device will typically disconnect the first. This limitation stems from the fundamental design of Bluetooth audio streaming and how iOS manages these connections.
Why Can't My iPhone Play Music on Two Bluetooth Devices Simultaneously?
This limitation isn't unique to iPhones; it's a common characteristic across most Bluetooth-enabled devices. Bluetooth's audio profile, known as Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), is designed for a single output stream. Think of it like a single water tap—you can only direct the water flow to one place at a time. While you might have multiple taps installed (paired devices), only one can be turned on (actively streaming audio) at a given moment.
How Can I Listen to Music on Multiple Devices?
If you want to share audio with multiple people, there are a few workarounds, though none perfectly replicate simultaneous streaming:
1. Using a Bluetooth Audio Transmitter/Receiver with Multiple Outputs
Some Bluetooth transmitters/receivers have multiple output jacks. You could connect your iPhone to one of these, then connect multiple Bluetooth headphones or speakers to the transmitter. This allows multiple devices to receive the same audio simultaneously. Note that the audio quality might vary slightly across different outputs.
2. Using AirPlay 2 for Multiple Apple Devices
If you have multiple Apple devices (HomePods, Apple TVs, AirPods, etc.), you can use AirPlay 2 to stream audio to multiple devices at the same time. This is a different technology from Bluetooth and is only applicable within the Apple ecosystem.
3. Using a Bluetooth Speaker with Multiple Connection Capabilities
Some Bluetooth speakers allow multiple devices to connect, but they usually queue the input or only play from one device at a time. While you can switch between devices easily, it's not simultaneous playback.
4. Using a Wired Connection in Conjunction with Bluetooth
You could connect one pair of headphones via Bluetooth and another pair of headphones via a 3.5mm wired connection (using a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter, if necessary). This requires both sets of headphones to be compatible with the connection type. It's important to note the audio quality might differ between the wired and Bluetooth connections.
Are there any apps that can help?
There are no legitimate apps that can bypass the inherent limitations of Bluetooth audio streaming to allow simultaneous playback on multiple devices from a single iPhone. Any apps claiming such functionality are likely unreliable and may even pose security risks.
What about using two sets of AirPods?
Even using two sets of AirPods, only one will actively play audio at a time. Switching between them would require disconnecting and reconnecting the chosen set.
In summary, while convenient for pairing many devices, iPhones, like most devices, are limited by Bluetooth's single-stream audio output. Workarounds exist, but they don't offer true simultaneous playback to multiple Bluetooth devices.
