How to Enable Dolby Atmos For Apple Music On iPhone

Apple has premiered the new Apple Music Spatial Audio feature with the help of the Dolby Atmos surround sound technology. To enable Dolby Atmos on iPhone or iPad, you only have to browse for the Settings app on toggle the feature to the ‘Always On’ state in the Music app menu.

Important: Dolby Atmos for Apple Music is currently available only on iPhone, iPad and Mac but Apple has confirmed that Android devices will be supported later this year.

How To Enable Dolby Atmos On iPhone

• Open Settings on your iOS or iPadOS device.
• Scroll for the Music app.
• Tap on Dolby Atmos, available in the Audio section.
• Make sure that this setting is set to Automatic or Always On.

Fact: Be aware, that currently a limited number of tracks are available in spatial audio. Apple plans to make its entire Music library Dolby Atmos compatible by the end of the year!

How To Play Dolby Atmos Music

In Apple Music, you can easily recognize a track that’s supporting spatial audio playback with the help of the Dolby Atmos icon that’s displayed right below the song’s or playlist’s description.

• Open Apple Music on your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
• Tap on Browse.
• Check out the Playlists Made for Spatial Audio section.
  Tip: To discover recent added songs with Dolby Atmos, browse the New Music in Spatial Audio category.

What Is Dolby Atmos?

Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology that is providing the Spatial Audio music listening experience. It practically allows sounds to be recorded in 3D. This audio format is allowing musicians to make their instrument sound like their spread out in multiple places around you.
Apple calls the Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio feature an immersive experience that allows you to experience music playback at a whole new level!

Dolby Atmos Compatible Devices

First up, to be able to use this new spatial audio feature you have to be an active Apple Music subscriber.
Secondly, you have to know that Dolby Atmos only works with compatible speakers and headphones. Some of the supported hardware is:
– the built-in speakers of the iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max as well as recent iPad and Mac models.
– headphones like: AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and Beats headphones that are equipped with the H1 or W1 chip.
Third, to be able to play track in Spatial Audio on the compatible headphones you also need them paired with a Dolby Atmos supported iPhone or iPad. This means that you need to own an iPhone 7 or newer and one of the following iPads: iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd gen) and later; ‌iPad Pro‌ 11‑inch; iPad Air (3rd gen), ‌iPad‌ (6th gen) and later, iPad mini (5th gen).

How To Turn On Spatial Audio On AirPods

• Connect your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with a compatible iPhone or iPad.
• Open Settings and browse for Bluetooth.
• Locate your headset in the My Devices list and tap the blue ‘i’ icon next to it.
• Make sure that Spatial Audio is enabled. If not just toggle the switch next to Spatial Audio to the ON position.

Dolby Atmos Not Available In Apple Music?

Is Apple’s new Spatial Audio feature not available on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Here are some common troubleshooting options:
1. Update to the most recent version of Apple Music on iOS, iPadOS or macOS. (direct link)
2. Force Close Music app: A minor glitch could prevent Apple Music from working as expected. Hard close the app from the App Switcher and open it back to see if Dolby Atmos is now available.
3. Reboot iPhone – sometimes minor glitches can prevent your iOS device from performing normally. A force restart is the most basic troubleshooting steps.

Have you tried out Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos in Apple Music on your iPhone, iPad or Mac? What’s your first impression? Are you noticing the difference. Do you like the 3D sound experience? What song would you recommend? Use the comments section and share your feedback.

Related: Is Apple Music crashing when connecting to CarPlay? Here is how to troubleshoot!