Android 16 will make switching audio devices easier

Android 16 is bringing a small but helpful update that improves how users manage their audio output. Right now, when you’re listening to music or watching a video on your phone, switching the sound to another device, like wireless earbuds or a speaker, can sometimes feel clunky or take too many steps.

To fix this, Google is working on a better media output switcher for Android 16. This new tool will let you easily move audio between different connected devices. For example, if you’re listening to a song on your phone and want to switch the sound to your Bluetooth speaker, you’ll be able to do it quickly through the media controls without needing to go into the settings.

This improved feature was spotted in early Android 16 test builds. It shows a redesigned switcher that groups available audio devices into two clear sections: currently connected devices and other nearby devices. This makes it much easier to pick where you want the sound to go.

This update may seem small, but it’s part of Google’s ongoing work to make Android more user-friendly. It’s especially useful for people who often use wireless earbuds, smart speakers, or cast music to other gadgets. Android 16 is expected to bring more of these handy changes as it moves closer to its final release.