We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
Apple just launched the Dolby Atmos (or Spatial Audio) feature for Apple Music and you are now able to enjoy a number of Dolby Atmos tracks already up on the music platform.
What is Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos on Apple Music?
To put it in simple terms, by utilizing modern digital technologies, mastering engineers are now able to create a virtual soundstage where different instruments, reverbs, and voicings are positioned more accurately within the stereo spectrum. Essentially, Spatial Audio “tricks” your brain to feel like the band is right around you, with different sounds pinpointed in exact locations on the soundstage. That’s why the effect works best when you are wearing headphones.
To have Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio available, tracks need do be specifically mastered for the new technology. That's why not all songs in Apple Music support it. In fact, currently, the selection is a bit limited. This is the same problem that Sony's 360 Reality Audio is facing, but considering how popular Apple devices are, this might quickly change.
Which headphones support Dolby Atmos in Apple Music?
Basically, any AirPods you have (even the non-Pros) or a select assortment of Beats headphones.
Apple has conveniently compiled a number of playlists dedicated to Spatial Audio. Just go into your Apple Music app, choose the “Browse” tab and see “Playlists Made for Spatial Audio”. That’s pretty much it.
Now, of course, it’s possible to just encounter a Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio song in your regular favorites playlist.
How do I know if a song in Apple Music is mastered for Spatial Audio?
Simple — if you look at the song playback page, you should see a Dolby Atmos logo, right underneath the song timebar. If there’s no logo present, the song hasn’t been mastered for the new Spatial Audio standard.
Alternatively, if you tap and hold on the volume bar in your Control Center, there will be an Apple Music icon there, letting you know if Dolby Atmos is available (only iOS 15+).
Similarly, if you see this logo on an album’s page, this means all the songs on that album have Spatial Audio enabled.
How to disable Dolby Atmos (Spatial Audio) in Apple Music
Maybe you want to listen to an original master, maybe you want to compare, or maybe you just don’t like how Spatial Audio sounds coming from your device’s speakers (it’s a bit echo-ey if you don’t have headphones on). Well, you can easily disable it.
First, go to Settings -> Music -> Dolby Atmos
You will notice there are 3 options here. “Always On” will always try to push Dolby Atmos to your headphones, regardless of their type — you may get mixed results here. “Automatic” will only enable Dolby Atmos if you are listening through a recognized device that supports Dolby Atmos (read: AirPods or Beats).
And, of course, “off” is off. Who would’ve guessed?
OK, so one way to turn Dolby Atmos off and on is to just do it through settings. Another way is — this one works for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max — go into the Control Center, tap and hold on the volume bar, and turn Spatial Audio off and on as you will.
This will allow you to A/B test the effect and decide if you like it for yourself.
Create a free account and join our vibrant community
Register to enjoy the full PhoneArena experience. Here’s what you get with your PhoneArena account:
Preslav, a member of the PhoneArena team since 2014, is a mobile technology enthusiast with a penchant for integrating tech into his hobbies and work. Whether it's writing articles on an iPad Pro, recording band rehearsals with multiple phones, or exploring the potential of mobile gaming through services like GeForce Now and Steam Link, Preslav's approach is hands-on and innovative. His balanced perspective allows him to appreciate both Android and iOS ecosystems, focusing on performance, camera quality, and user experience over brand loyalty.
Recommended Stories
Loading Comments...
COMMENT
All comments need to comply with our
Community Guidelines
Phonearena comments rules
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
![T-Mobile users can get iPhone 16 for the price of a budget phone (no new line) [UPDATED]](https://m-cdn.phonearena.com/images/article/167601-wide-two_350/T-Mobile-users-can-get-iPhone-16-for-the-price-of-a-budget-phone-no-new-line-UPDATED.jpg)
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: