Disney+ has released an app update that enables Dolby Atmos through Apple TV 4K's spatial audio system with AirPods as well as HomePods. Meanwhile, the latest update breaks Atmos on Android TVs.

Apple's spatial audio system on Apple TV 4K (1st Gen and 2nd Gen) can take a 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos source and create a dynamic and immersive sound field in AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and AirPods 3 headphones.

Until now, Disney+ passed 5.1 to Apple's spatial audio system despite its support for Dolby Atmos on other devices. The limitation was most likely related to Disney's custom-made video player on Apple TV 4K.

The latest app update (version 2.9.5) unlocks Dolby Atmos so it can be used through Apple TV 4K's spatial audio system with compatible AirPods, as highlighted on Reddit.

 Disney+ Atmos with AirPods
 Disney+ Atmos with HomePods
In addition, Disney+ now passes the Dolby Atmos soundtrack to the original HomePods when set as default Apple TV 4K speakers.

 Also read: Spatial audio on Apple TV 4K: What it is, how it works & supported apps/games

FlatpanelsHD has confirmed that it works with Apple TV's video console. See the two photos to the right (16 channels = Dolby Atmos soundtrack).


Atmos broken on Android TVs
Disney+ has also released an app update (version 2.9.1) for Android TV and Google TV devices that seems to break Dolby Atmos, according to Reddit and 9to5Google.

Dolby Atmos is reportedly not working on Sony TVs, Nvidia Shield, Chromecast, TCL Android TVs, Hisense Android TVs, and possibly other Android TV and Google TV devices.

Dolby Atmos works as intended on version 2.8.0 of the Disney+ app and it is possible to sideload this version, if you experience the issue. Today and yesterday, a few users have started reporting that it works again – seemingly as a result of a server-side fix.