How to Enable LDAC on Android (and Why It's Off by Default)

Quick answer: Pair LDAC-capable headphones, then go to Settings > Connected devices, tap the gear next to your headphones, and toggle on HD audio: LDAC (or pick LDAC under Developer options > Bluetooth audio codec). Android leaves LDAC off by default because it uses more bandwidth and battery than SBC or AAC, and it only works when both phone and headphones support it. For stable everyday listening, the adaptive/Best Effort quality setting is usually the right choice.

LDAC is Sony's high-bitrate Bluetooth codec, capable of streaming up to 990 kbps — roughly three times what SBC manages. Most modern Android phones (Android 8.0 and later) ship with LDAC built in, but the system won't use it automatically in every case, and the highest-quality mode is never the default. Here's how to turn it on, choose the right quality tier, and make sure your headphones are actually holding up their end of the deal.

Step 1: Confirm both sides support LDAC

A codec is a handshake — the phone and the headphones must both speak LDAC or the connection silently falls back to SBC or AAC.

  1. Check your headphones' spec sheet for "LDAC" under supported codecs. Budget true wireless earbuds often support only SBC/AAC, so verify before assuming. Our TWS earbuds collection lists supported codecs on each product page, and over-ears like the Edifier W820NB-Plus support LDAC out of the box.
  2. Check your phone: nearly all Android phones on 8.0+ include LDAC, since it's part of the Android Open Source Project. iPhones do not — more on that below.

Step 2: Enable LDAC in Bluetooth device settings

  1. Pair and connect your headphones normally.
  2. Open Settings > Connected devices (naming varies slightly by manufacturer).
  3. Tap the gear icon next to your headphones.
  4. Look for a toggle labeled HD audio or LDAC and switch it on. On many phones this toggle only appears when the connected device supports LDAC.

On some devices (notably Sony headphones with their companion app, or certain phone brands) LDAC may already be active here without touching Developer options at all.

Step 3: Use Developer options to verify or force the codec

  1. Go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times to unlock Developer options.
  2. Open Settings > System > Developer options.
  3. With your headphones connected and playing audio, scroll to Bluetooth audio codec. The currently active codec is shown — if it says SBC or AAC while your headphones support LDAC, select LDAC manually.
  4. Just below, Bluetooth audio LDAC codec: playback quality lets you pick the quality tier (see next section).

Note that Developer options settings can reset when the headphones reconnect — the toggle in Step 2 is the persistent switch; Developer options is best used to verify what's actually running.

Step 4: Choose the right LDAC quality tier

LDAC has three fixed bitrates plus an adaptive mode:

  1. 990 kbps (Quality priority): maximum fidelity, but the most fragile connection. Best for quiet rooms with the phone nearby.
  2. 660 kbps (Standard): a solid middle ground for most listening.
  3. 330 kbps (Connection priority): most robust; roughly comparable to other mid-bitrate codecs.
  4. Best Effort (Adaptive): the default — the phone adjusts bitrate on the fly based on connection quality. For commuting, offices, or anywhere with Wi-Fi congestion, leave it here.

Why LDAC is off by default

Google and phone makers default to SBC/AAC for practical reasons: LDAC at high bitrates demands a clean 2.4 GHz radio environment, so in crowded RF spaces it can stutter where SBC would not. It also draws more power on both the phone and the headphones, shortening battery life. And since not every accessory supports it, defaulting to a universal codec avoids failed handshakes. None of this makes LDAC a gimmick — it just means Android leaves the trade-off to you.

Common pitfalls

  1. The codec silently falls back. If the connection degrades, Android may drop to SBC without telling you. Re-check Developer options if things suddenly sound flat.
  2. Multipoint blocks LDAC. Many headphones disable LDAC when connected to two devices at once. Turn off multipoint in the companion app to restore it.
  3. 990 kbps stutters in public. That's expected behavior, not a defect — drop to 660 kbps or adaptive.
  4. Streaming source matters. LDAC can't add detail that isn't in the file. A 128 kbps stream over LDAC is still a 128 kbps stream.

No LDAC on iPhone: your alternatives

Apple has never licensed LDAC; iPhones use AAC over Bluetooth, full stop. If you're on iOS, your realistic options are: (1) rely on AAC, which iPhones implement well and which most LDAC headphones also support; (2) go wired with a USB-C or Lightning DAC/dongle for true lossless playback; or (3) use AirPlay to compatible speakers on Wi-Fi. Buying LDAC headphones is still not wasted on iOS — you keep the option open for Android devices, and the headphones themselves matter far more than the codec. For a plain-English breakdown of codec terms, see our audio glossary.

FAQ

Does LDAC actually sound better than AAC or SBC?

At 990 kbps in a stable connection, LDAC carries meaningfully more data and can sound cleaner with lossless or hi-res sources. In noisy environments or with compressed streams, the difference is often subtle. Good drivers and tuning matter more than the codec.

Why does my LDAC setting keep reverting to SBC?

Developer options codec selections often reset on reconnect, and some headphones renegotiate the codec after multipoint or call handoffs. Use the HD audio toggle in the device's Bluetooth settings as your persistent switch, and disable multipoint if your headphones drop LDAC when paired to two devices.

Is LDAC lossless?

No. Even at 990 kbps, LDAC is lossy compression — it's just a much higher bitrate than typical Bluetooth codecs. For true lossless you need a wired connection or a USB DAC.

Ready to hear what LDAC can do? Every TonePier order ships with free US shipping and 45-day returns, so you can test your setup at home, risk-free.

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