Android 17 Quietly Enables LHDC v5 High-Resolution Audio Support on Pixel Phones

Google has quietly added native LHDC v5 high‑resolution Bluetooth audio support to Pixel phones running Android 17. Thanks to this change, Pixel users can now stream hi‑res music over Bluetooth with compatible earbuds and headphones. The option is currently available in Developer Options and appears when users connect LHDC‑capable gear.

Google doesn’t highlight LHDC in its main Android 17 marketing material, but a Reddit user spotted the codec’s introduction to Pixel devices “buried in Developer options.” To enable this option, open the Settings app on your Pixel, scroll down, and tap “About phone.” Scroll to the bottom of that screen and find “Build number,” then tap it seven times in quick succession. Android will ask for your PIN, pattern, or password. After you enter this, a toast message appears on screen saying you are now a developer, which means the hidden menu is active. Go back to the main Settings screen, tap System, then scroll down to find “Developer options,” under which you can select LHDC v5.

LHDC v5 (or Low Latency High‑Definition Audio Codec version 5) offers a higher bitrate and lower latency compared to other common codecs like AAC. It can go up to 96kHz sampling rates and adjusts its bitrate for better sound quality and a stable connection. This makes it useful for hi‑res music listening, gaming, and video, where audio delay needs to stay low to keep lips and sound in sync.

This subtle change is great for music lovers and anyone else who enjoys high-quality audio. Android 17 support for LHDC v5 should also help other brands that don’t already have it. Once they ship phones with Android 17 and keep LHDC enabled, users can pair quite a few newer LHDC earbuds and get better wireless audio out of the box.