Apple Music Spatial Audio does not support speakers on older iPhones and iPads

Apple Music Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos support was added to the music streaming service in June and since its release, there has been confusion regarding which Apple devices support immersive audio streaming. In a new update of the Apple support page, the company has removed older iPhone and iPad models from the list of devices that are compatible with the Apple Music Spatial Audio feature.

Apple Music subscribers can listen to select songs in spatial audio with Dolby Atmos to enjoy a multi-dimensional, immersive experience that makes users feel like they are inside the song. To enjoy that surround sound audio, users have to use compatible headphones and the built-in speakers on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, with Apple TV 4K, and Android device.

Earlier, the support page listed that built-in speakers of iPhone XR, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad (6th generation), and iPad mini (5th generation) can play spatial audio. But now the company has removed these devices. The updated support page lists the following devices:

• The built-in speakers on an iPhone XS or later (except iPhone SE), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later), iPad Pro 11-inch, or iPad Air (4th generation)

Other Apple devices that support Apple Music Spatial Audio

• AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with spatial audio turned on. Go to Control Center, touch and hold the volume button, then tap Spatial Audio.
• AirPods
• BeatsX, Beats Solo3 Wireless, Beats Studio3, Powerbeats3 Wireless, Beats Flex, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Solo Pro, or Beats Studio Buds
• The built-in speakers on a MacBook Pro (2018 model or later), MacBook Air (2018 model or later), or iMac (2021 model)
• HomePod and HomePod mini connected to Apple TV 4K

Recently, Apple Music rolled out spatial audio support on Android, and the company says that Android users have to update the Apple Music app to the latest version and check their device’s compatibility with Dolby Atoms to play tracks in spatial audio. The complete release notes from the Google Play Store update:

In this update, Apple Music adds a spatial listening experience on compatible devices, with thousands of tracks in Dolby Atmos available at launch.

Other updates include:
• Lossless Audio, a new way to experience uncompromised sound, with bit-for-bit accuracy.
• Automatic Crossfade, a new way to listen that blends each song into the next for a seamless experience.
• Search enhancements to library, which allow you to more easily find your favorite music with in-line search.