Pixel 8a may lack Android 15’s audio-sharing feature

The release of Android 15 is imminent, and it is said to introduce audio-sharing support for Android devices. This feature will utilize Auracast technology, developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group.

The feature will be available on the newest Pixel 8 series. However, it appears that the recently launched Pixel 8a will not support it, at least as stated by Android expert Mishaal Rahman.

Rahman stated that the audio-sharing feature of Android 15 will not be accessible on the Pixel 8a or earlier models. Interestingly, although the Pixel 8a is compatible with Bluetooth LE Audio, Google does not appear to have plans to enable the necessary broadcasting regulations.

Rahman was able to activate LE Audio broadcast support on his Pixel 8 Pro by tweaking the code, but the feature is not currently enabled by default. However, the Pixel 8a is missing the necessary firmware to enable this feature.

Nothing has been lost yet because Android 15 is not in its final version, leaving room for devices to potentially gain support for the feature. The certainty of this is still unknown. In my view, if the hardware is compatible, it should be accessible. It bothers me when manufacturers restrict features even when the hardware can handle them, just to give premium phones an advantage. However, I have doubts that the Pixel 8a will not support it. I believe there is a possibility that support for the feature may be added in the future.