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The Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) is a Bluetooth profile that sets out how devices interoperate to send audio for playback. It is commonly used when a phone or computer streams music to Bluetooth headphones or a speaker. A2DP is a profile—not a codec, a product, or a guarantee of a particular sound quality.
What does A2DP mean?
A2DP stands for Advanced Audio Distribution Profile. The Bluetooth SIG defines it as the profile specifying requirements, services, features, and procedures that Bluetooth devices need to support audio distribution and interoperate in that use case. In practical terms, it describes Bluetooth audio playback from a source device to an audio output device. Bluetooth SIG’s A2DP specification listing provides the official profile description.
What is A2DP used for?
A common example is a phone or computer sending music to Bluetooth headphones or a speaker. Android describes A2DP as defining how high-quality audio can be streamed from one device to another over Bluetooth. Android Developers’ Bluetooth profiles documentation also documents Android’s BluetoothA2dp service proxy.
Apple describes A2DP as a “stereo, output-only profile intended for higher bandwidth audio use cases, such as music playback.” That is Apple’s platform description; the way audio is routed can depend on platform implementation and configuration. Apple notes that app audio-session categories and options affect whether audio routes to a paired A2DP device. Apple Developer Documentation explains this option.
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Does A2DP handle Bluetooth calls and microphone audio?
A2DP is associated with stereo audio output, such as music playback; do not treat it as synonymous with a Bluetooth headset’s call function. Calls and microphone input can involve other Bluetooth profiles and platform routing behavior. The Android and Apple documentation cited here does not establish a comprehensive comparison of call profiles or routing across operating systems.
Does A2DP tell you which Bluetooth audio codec is being used?
No. A2DP support identifies the audio-distribution profile, not the specific codec active between two devices. The Bluetooth SIG profile listing and the platform documentation cited here do not establish a complete codec-support or negotiation matrix. Codec availability and use must be checked for the particular devices and platform; A2DP support by itself does not establish codec, bitrate, latency, or sound-quality claims.
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Which A2DP version is current?
As of the Bluetooth SIG catalogue check on October 7, 2026, A2DP 1.4.1 is listed as adopted. The catalogue also lists versions 1.4 and 1.3.2 as adopted. Version 1.2 is listed as adopted, with deprecation scheduled for February 1, 2028, and withdrawal scheduled for February 1, 2030; it is not listed as already withdrawn. These are lifecycle statuses and dates in the live Bluetooth SIG specifications catalogue.
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The Bluetooth SIG describes the related Generic A/V Distribution Profile (GAVDP) as covering setup of streaming channels used for audio/video distribution. It provides context for the profile family, but GAVDP and A2DP are not interchangeable. Bluetooth SIG’s GAVDP listing describes that related profile.
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