What Is Bluetooth Multipoint, And Why Isn't It More Popular?

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Audio technologyWhat is Bluetooth multipoint?Multitask with multipoint.By Lil Katz•

December 16, 2025

•Originally published on July 29, 2021•0•

We’ve all been there: it’s Friday afternoon, and the minutes are ticking away slowly, so to pass the time faster, you surreptitiously turn on Netflix. Well, with Bluetooth Multipoint, you can use your work laptop to listen to your show while remaining aware of any work notifications that come through your phone, all with a single headset.

Using your favorite headset to connect to multiple devices simultaneously is a small delight that headphone manufacturers have largely neglected. As Multipoint’s presence becomes more salient with the rise of Bluetooth LE Audio and the LC3 codec, more devices are starting to fully support the technology. Let’s break down what Multipoint is and why it isn’t quite a universal feature.

How has this article been updated?

• This article was updated on December 16, 2025, to remove outdated sections and information.
• This article was updated on July 22, 2024, to add more information on using Multipoint and answer additional FAQs.
• This article was published on July, 29, 2021.

What is Bluetooth Multipoint?

Bluetooth Multipoint lets your headset connect to two source devices at once.

Bluetooth Multipoint is a feature that allows a single Bluetooth headset to maintain simultaneous connections to at least two source devices, such as a laptop and smartphone. It was introduced with the release of Bluetooth 4.0 over ten years ago. For it to function, a device must support both A2DP and HFP/HSP connections for audio streaming and talking, respectively.

Some devices may support a phone and computer connection only, while others can support two simultaneous phone connections. It all depends on what Bluetooth profiles are supported. Bluetooth Multipoint was originally intended for professional use. Say you have multiple work phones and use them all to field phone calls. Bluetooth Multipoint would come in handy because you can be on one call without missing notifications from another device.

What are the limitations of Bluetooth Multipoint?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 supports Multipoint connectivity but only via the AAC Bluetooth codec.

Bluetooth Multipoint doesn’t necessarily mean that you can stream media from two devices at a time. Few headsets support this properly, and most are limited to designating one device as a media player and the other strictly for pushing notifications through. Other devices, like the Sony WH-1000XM4, only support Multipoint connectivity over the AAC Bluetooth codec. It’s a mixed bag and something that’s rarely stated in marketing copy.

When supported, Multipoint performance varies across consumer audio products.

Now that I’ve tried it, Multipoint is difficult to do without. The technology lets me stream music and receive notifications from my laptop while keeping an ear on my phone for incoming calls. It automatically prioritizes a connection to the device receiving an incoming call over the one streaming YouTube videos.

How to use Bluetooth Multipoint

Though the exact method for using Multipoint with your Bluetooth headphones varies from product to product, in general, it involves maybe enabling the feature and then simply connecting to new devices. Compared to unpairing and repairing your headphones, you will be able to change connections either automatically or with minor input.

For more, check out our guide on using Bluetooth Multipoint with popular headphone models. Alternatively, you could read the manual that came with your audio products for explicit instructions, or you could download the app that accompanies the product to tell it which devices it should be listening to.

Frequently asked questions

Does this mean true wireless earbuds don't support Multipoint?

Some true wireless earbuds, such as those from Jabra, do support Multipoint. It’s not a universal feature and depends on the specific model.

Is Bluetooth 5.0 Multipoint?

Bluetooth 5.0 itself isn’t Multipoint, but devices with Bluetooth 5.0 can support Multipoint if the manufacturer implements it.

How do I turn on Bluetooth Multipoint?

The process varies by product. Generally, you may need to enable the feature in settings or an accompanying app and then connect to multiple devices. Some headphones automatically support it once paired with multiple devices.

Can you Bluetooth to two devices at the same time?

Yes, with Multipoint-capable devices. However, limitations may apply, such as only being able to stream audio from one device at a time while receiving notifications from both.

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