Netflix is not testing spatial audio for AirPods after all

Along with the AirPods Pro, Apple welcomed a new feature called “spatial audio”. It gives a “theater-like experience” when listening to supported content from an iPhone or iPad. But third-party support from apps like Netflix isn’t an option right now. And it may not be anytime soon, either.

If you’ll recall, there was a rumor that cropped up back in January that suggested Netflix was testing support for spatial audio. At the time, it was suggested that the feature would only be supported with a limited number of titles from Netflix’s library. Netflix wouldn’t be the first third-party company to support the feature, but it would be a huge gain.

And while it was exciting to hear that Netflix might support one of the best features for the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro, it may not come to pass after all. Netflix provided a statement to MacRumors regarding the subject, and the news isn’t good. According to the streamer, it is not testing spatial audio for supported AirPods.

Netflix Logo

Interestingly, Netflix was testing something, though. The statement says that the company was testing multi-channel support for built-in speakers.

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.

At the time of publication, HBO Max and Disney+ both support spatial audio when streaming from an iPhone or iPad. And of course Apple TV+ does, too.

We’ll have to wait and see when, or even if, Netflix will support spatial audio in the future.