Apple Music’s Lossless and Spatial Audio Are Now on Android

Apple launched its Spatial Audio function and lossless streaming assist for Apple Music simply over a month in the past, and as of as we speak, Android customers may also get in on the motion.

A fast refresher: Spatial Audio is Apple’s tackle immersive, digital encompass sound. It’s not fairly the identical factor as Dolby Atmos, which refers to a sort of encompass sound format that simulates a 3D house. However, they’re associated. You can learn a extra in-depth explainer right here, however the gist is your machine wants to have the ability to course of Dolby Atmos content material to get this function. That’s step one, and also you’ll must test together with your machine’s producer.

If your Android machine does assist Atmos, the following step is to ensure you’re on the newest model of Apple Music. Once you’ve finished that it’s fairly easy. All it’s a must to do is open the app, faucet the ellipsis icon (three dots), hit Settings, and toggle Dolby Atmos on or off. For lossless audio, you’ll be able to faucet the Audio Quality choice in Settings and select between 24-bit/48kHz decision or 24-bit/192kHz decision.

Lossless audio is totally different from Spatial Audio. It refers back to the decision of the music file itself. Streaming compresses information to protect bandwidth, and consequently, you lose a number of the richness and element. The increased the decision, the much less element you lose—therefore the time period “lossless.” The caveat right here is since you’re streaming greater information, toggling this setting on will eat up extra knowledge on each mobile and wifi. If you obtain them, they’ll additionally take up more room in your machine. Plus, it doesn’t work with Bluetooth headphones. To take benefit, you’ll have to make use of a wired connection, and presumably a digital-to-analog converter.

Is it a bit messy? Definitely, although the newer your machine, the extra doubtless it’s to assist these options. As all the time, for those who’re uncertain, it’s greatest to test together with your gadget’s producer whereas additionally conserving in thoughts there’s a component of trial and error. For occasion, even Apple’s nonetheless determining which of its personal devices assist these options. It not too long ago removed some older devices that have been beforehand considered appropriate. The predominant units affected are the iPhone XR, fifth-gen iPad mini, the third-gen iPad Air, and late-model iPads (gens six, seven, and eight).