iOS 15 adds head-turning Apple Music feature for some AirPods owners

Apple AirPods Max
Apple’s iOS 15 operating system arrived on Monday and with it comes a long-requested feature for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max owners within Apple Music.

Installing the new operating system update unlocks the dynamic head-tracking feature within Apple Music, which is an extension of the fantastic spatial audio feature that landed this summer.

It’s a nice bonus for AirPods Max and AirPods Pro owners, a little reminder for those who don’t have them, and a disappointment for those who own the standard AirPods. Given those basic AirPods are set for an imminent refresh, the feature may be part of that release.

Apple had previously promised the feature would arrive this autumn, but until now we didn’t know it was going to be part of iOS 15. Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos arrived independently of a major iOS update, for example.

“Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking in Apple Music brings an even more immersive experience to Dolby Atmos music with AirPods Pro and AirPods Max,” Apple said in yesterday’s release notes.

Introducing #SpatialAudio with dynamic head tracking, a new and more natural way of hearing music.Journey inside @olivia_rodrigo's #good4u with a special guide hosted by @zanelowe.