Have you ever wanted to amplify the music from your iPhone to fill an entire room or outdoor space? Connecting two Bluetooth speakers to a single iPhone may seem difficult, but it’s actually pretty straightforward with the right steps.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the different methods you can use to sync up two or more Bluetooth speakers to your iPhone. From built-in Apple features to third party apps, you’ll learn everything you need to turn your iPhone into a portable surround sound system. Let’s dive in!
Prerequisites
Before connecting multiple Bluetooth speakers to your iPhone, there are a few prerequisites you’ll need:
- iOS Version: You’ll need iOS 13 or later, as older iOS versions don’t support simultaneous Bluetooth connections. To check your version, go to Settings > General > Software Version. [1]
- Bluetooth Version: Your iPhone will need Bluetooth 5.0 or higher. This allows connecting to multiple devices at once. Check in Settings > General > About.
- Speaker Proximity: Keep speakers close to each other, ideally within 5 to 10 feet. This helps maintain a strong connection.
- Battery Charge: Ensure each speaker has at least 50% battery. Low battery can cause connection issues.
Using Built-In iPhone Features
Your iPhone actually has a few built-in features that allow you to connect two speakers directly. Here are the top options:
Share Audio
The Share Audio feature debuted in iOS 13 and makes it easy to share music wirelessly. [2]
How It Works: Share Audio uses Bluetooth to transmit audio from your iPhone to multiple AirPods or Beats headphones. It creates a separate connection without disconnecting your main headphones.
To Use:
- Connect main headphones to your iPhone
- Open case of second AirPods near iPhone
- Swipe up for Control Center and tap Share Audio
- Tap name of second AirPods
- Accept on second AirPods
Pros
- Seamless connection with AirPods
- Don’t have to disconnect main headphones
Cons
- Only works with AirPods/Beats headphones
- Can’t adjust volume separately
Dual Audio
Samsung Galaxy phones have a Dual Audio feature that lets you connect two Bluetooth audio devices. [3]
How It Works: Dual Audio transmits audio to two paired Bluetooth devices at the same time.
To Use:
- Go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth
- Turn on Dual Audio toggle
- Connect iPhone to each speaker
Pros
- Simple to set up
- Works with any Bluetooth speakers
Cons
- Samsung only feature
- Adding 3rd device disconnects first
HomePod Stereo Pair
You can use two Apple HomePod mini speakers in a stereo pair. [4]
How It Works: HomePods in a stereo pair play audio as left and right channels for a simulated surround effect.
To Use:
- In Home app, confirm HomePods are in same room
- Go to HomePod settings
- Choose “Create Stereo Pair”
- Select second HomePod
Pros
- Easy setup with HomePod mini
- Clear audio separation
Cons
- Only works with HomePod speakers
- Need two HomePods
Using Apps
If your iPhone doesn’t have the latest iOS or Bluetooth version, don’t worry! You can still connect multiple speakers using stereo apps like these:
AmpMe
AmpMe is a popular app that lets you sync music across multiple phones or Bluetooth speakers. [5]
How It Works: AmpMe has a DJ mode that wirelessly streams synced audio to any device running the app.
To Use:
- Download and open AmpMe
- Tap “+” icon
- Select music service and playlist
- Tap “Invite” to share as DJ
- Join with other speakers
Pros
- Syncs music across unlimited devices
- Works with any speaker brand
Cons
- Requires app download
- Must select same playlist
Bose Connect App
If you have Bose Bluetooth speakers, the Bose Connect app makes pairing easy. [6]
How It Works: Bose Connect has Party Mode to sync two speakers in left/right stereo or Stereo Mode for separated left/right channels.
To Use:
- Download Bose Connect app
- Enter Party Mode or Stereo Mode
- Press and hold speaker buttons to pair
Pros
- Seamless pairing for Bose speakers
- Party and Stereo modes
Cons
- Only works with Bose brand
- Limited to 2 speakers
Ultimate Ears App
Similarly, if you have Ultimate Ears speakers, you can use the UE BOOM app to connect multiple speakers. [7]
How It Works: The Ultimate Ears app lets you pair speakers into a “Double Up” stereo pair.
To Use:
- Download Ultimate Ears app
- Select speakers
- Choose “Double Up”
- Follow pairing instructions
Pros
- Easy pairing for Ultimate Ears
- Can customize speaker settings
Cons
- Only compatible with UE speakers
- Max of 2 speakers
Using Advanced Bluetooth
Thanks to Bluetooth 5 and improved hardware, you can now pair multiple speakers without any apps. Here’s how:
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0 allows you to connect to two or more audio devices simultaneously. [8]
How It Works: The upgraded bandwidth of Bluetooth 5.0 lets you pair with multiple speakers at once.
Compatible Devices: iPhone 8 or later and any Bluetooth 5.0 speakers.
Pros
- No app or special setup needed
- Supports multiple speaker connections
Cons
- Need Bluetooth 5.0 devices
- Audio can degrade with more speakers
JBL Connect+
JBL’s Connect+ feature lets you wirelessly connect over 100 JBL speakers. [9]
How It Works: JBL speakers with Connect+ sync together through Bluetooth and WiFi to share audio.
To Use:
- Update speakers to latest firmware
- Press Connect+ button to pair
- Repeat with other speakers
Pros
- Pair 100+ JBL speakers
- Auto synchronization
Cons
- JBL speakers only
- Need good WiFi coverage
Bluetooth Splitter
You can use a physical Bluetooth splitter gadget to connect two traditional Bluetooth speakers. [10]
How It Works: The splitter pairs with your iPhone, then uses a wired connection to transmit audio to two speakers.
To Use:
- Pair splitter with iPhone via Bluetooth
- Connect speakers to splitter with audio cables
- Select splitter as audio output
Pros
- Allows any passive speakers
- Dedicated volume controls
Cons
- Requires splitter purchase
- Limited by splitter ports
Connecting Speakers Directly
You can also connect speakers directly using speaker wire. This splits the audio signal into left and right channels.
To do this, connect the positive (+) terminal on your iPhone’s headphone jack to the positive (+) input on the first speaker using speaker wire. Then connect the negative (-) terminal to the negative (-) input on the other speaker.
The downside is this method only allows two speakers, and you lose portability. But it ensures synchronization and is cost effective.
Troubleshooting Tips
Having issues pairing multiple Bluetooth speakers to your iPhone? Try these troubleshooting tips:
- Adjust Volume – Make sure speaker volumes are balanced in Settings > Music > Volume Limit.
- Re-Pair Devices – Forget the pairing and re-pair speakers to reset the connection.
- Check Compatibility – Ensure all speakers support multi-point Bluetooth connections.
- Update Software – Outdated software can cause connectivity issues.
- Move Speakers Closer – Keep speakers within 5-10 feet for stronger connections.
Comparative Analysis
So which method is best for connecting two Bluetooth speakers to your iPhone? Here’s a quick comparison:
- Built-in Features: Convenient but limited compatibility.
- Apps: Offer more flexibility but require downloads.
- Advanced Bluetooth: Simple setup but need latest hardware.
- Wired Connection: Guaranteed syncing but less portable.
There’s no definitively superior option. The best method depends on your speakers, iPhone model, and listening preferences. Evaluate your setup and choose the one that fits your needs.
Conclusion
Pairing two Bluetooth speakers to your iPhone is totally possible with a few easy techniques. Whether you want to blast music at your next party or create a wireless home stereo system, utilizing dual speakers can take your audio experience to the next level.
Hopefully this guide gave you some practical tips to seamlessly sync multiple speakers with your iPhone. Just test different methods until you find the right connectivity option for your speakers and situation. Get creative and soon you’ll be enjoying surround sound anywhere you take your iPhone.