After weeks of speculation surrounding a new Apple Music app for PlayStation 5, the streaming service has finally landed on Sony’s newest home console, allowing subscribers to enjoy their favorite playlists while they game.
However, the app is missing one of its most impressive features. Users have discovered that spatial audio with Dolby Atmos is not available for Apple Music tracks on PlayStation 5.
Apple Music hits PlayStation 5
You can enjoy Apple Music on PS5 by downloading the new app, which made its official debut on Wednesday. It comes with some nice features, including the ability to watch music videos in 4K, and support for background streaming.
That means you can start playing a song, album, or playlist in Apple Music and then jump into a game and you’ll still hear your music while you play. This makes it a great alternative to Spotify, the only other music streaming app on PS5.
Now Playing: Apple Music comes to PS5 today
Listen to your favorite albums, playlists, music videos and more in the background while you play. Details: https://t.co/7vdaLUVueq pic.twitter.com/sMkCVcJfK6
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) October 27, 2021
But there is one big feature that’s missing. Apple Music users have quickly discovered that the PS5 version of the app does not support spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, which means you won’t hear your music in surround sound.
This is likely because PS5 itself doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, though it will output Atmos audio from Blu-ray discs. It instead relies on Sony’s proprietary Tempest 3D Audio engine for surround sound.
Headphones could play a part
The PS5’s lack of Bluetooth headphone support could also be a factor, since it doesn’t natively work with AirPods, Beats, and other wireless buds that are required to enjoy spatial audio in all its glory.
Given these hurdles, it seems unlikely spatial audio will come to Apple Music on PS5 at all. But you never know — there may be workarounds to these problems that Apple and Sony are working on behind the scenes.
