If I turn off head tracking on airpods pro/Iphone does it not matter what direction the iphone is facing?
Basically I want to connect the iphone to the new nreal air glasses through a cable while the iphone is on the sofa or in my pocket but still take advantage of the spatial audio.
iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 15
Hello Challe777,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities!
If we understand your post correctly, you want to know if you turn off head tracking on your AirPods does it matter what direction the phone is facing to use spatial audio. We're here to help!
Follow the steps below for help with using spatial audio with your AirPods.
Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking brings theater-like sound from the movie or video you're watching, so that sound seems like it's coming from all around you.
What you need
AirPods Pro (1st or 2nd generation), AirPods Max, AirPods (3rd generation), or Beats Fit Pro
The built-in speakers on an iPhone 7 or later, or on one of these iPad models:
iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation) and later
iPad Pro 11‑inch
iPad Air (3rd generation) and later
iPad (6th generation) and later
iPad mini (5th generation) and later
iOS or iPadOS 15.1 or later
The built-in speakers on a Mac computer with Apple silicon
Apple TV 4K with tvOS 15 or later
Audiovisual content from a supported app
Turn on spatial audio
Learn how to turn on spatial audio on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV.
Turn on spatial audio on your iPhone or iPad
Make sure that you're wearing your AirPods Pro (1st or 2nd generation), AirPods Max, AirPods (3rd generation), or Beats Fit Pro, and that they're connected to your iPhone or iPad.
Open Control Center on your iPhone or on your iPad.
Touch and hold the volume control to turn on spatial audio while you're playing multichannel content or Spatialize Stereo while you're playing two-channel stereo content. This also shows you the status icons.
When you turn on spatial audio with head tracking, audio adjusts based on your head movement. To turn on spatial audio and dynamic head tracking, tap Head Tracked. To turn on spatial audio only, tap Fixed. To turn off spatial audio and dynamic head tracking, tap Off.
Turn on spatial audio on your Mac with Apple silicon
Make sure that you're wearing your AirPods Pro (1st or 2nd generation), AirPods Max, AirPods (3rd generation), or Beats Fit Pro, and that they're connected to your Mac.
Click the AirPods or Beats icon in the menu bar to see Spatial Audio listed while you’re playing multichannel content, or Spatialize Stereo while you’re playing two-channel stereo content.
Click Head Tracked to turn on spatial audio and dynamic head tracking. To turn on spatial audio only, click Fixed. To turn off spatial audio and dynamic head tracking, click Off.
Turn on spatial audio on your Apple TV
Make sure that you're wearing your AirPods Pro (1st or 2nd generation), AirPods Max, AirPods (3rd generation), or Beats Fit Pro, and that they're connected to your Apple TV.
Go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth. Or you can press and hold the Home button on your Siri Remote while you're playing audiovisual content in a supported app.
Choose your AirPods or Beats from the list.
Choose Spatial Audio while you're playing multichannel content, or Spatialize Stereo while you're playing two-channel stereo content. This also shows you the status icons.
Listen with spatial audio for AirPods and Beats
Let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Take care!
spatial audio with iphone faced away?
