How to stream audio from your PC to your phone via Wi-Fi: A complete guide with instructions

Transferring audio from a computer to a smartphone via Wi-Fi — a convenient solution for listening to music, podcasts, or game audio wirelessly. This method is especially useful when you want to use your phone as a portable speaker, listen to audio on headphones away from your PC, or mirror audio to multiple devices simultaneously.

However, not everyone knows that wireless audio transmission is possible not only via Bluetooth (which is often limited in range and quality), but also via a local network. In this article, we'll look at 5 working methods — from built-in Windows functions to specialized applications. You will learn how to set up audio transmission on Android And iPhone, which programs are best to use for minimal latency, and how to troubleshoot common connection problems.

Important: The methods vary in complexity, stability, and supported formats. For example, DLNA It's good for music, but it won't handle sound from games, and PulseAudio This will require command line skills. We'll describe each option in detail so you can choose the best one.

Method 1: Using DLNA/UPnP (for music and video)

Technology DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) allows you to stream media files between devices on the same network. It's a standard protocol supported by most modern TVs, smartphones, and PCs. To stream audio from your computer to your phone, you'll need:

• 📱 On the phone: media server application (for example, BubbleUPnP for Android or VLC for iOS).
• 💻 On PC: enabled DLNA server (it is built-in in Windows 10/11).
• 🌐 General: Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

DLNA works best with pre-saved audio files (MP3, FLAC, WAV), but is not suitable for transmitting system audio (for example, from a browser or game). If you need to broadcast sound from YouTube or Spotify, proceed to the next methods.

Enable DLNA in Windows settings|Install BubbleUPnP on your phone|Connect to the server in the app|Select an audio file to play-->

How to enable DLNA on Windows:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Sharing options.
2. In the section Media streaming click Enable media streaming.
3. Allow access for your local network (click Allow all devices).

⚠️ Attention: DLNA doesn't encrypt traffic. If your Wi-Fi network isn't password-protected, audio can be intercepted by other devices within range of the router.

2. Method: Remote audio applications (SoundWire, AudioRelay)

Specialized programs such as SoundWire or AudioRelay transmit all system sound PC-to-phone audio with minimal latency (from 50 ms). This is ideal for listening to music, podcasts, or game audio. Let's look at an example setup. AudioRelay (cross-platform solution for Windows/macOS and Android/iOS).

Advantages:

• 🎵 Support for all audio sources (browser, games, players).
• 🔊 Quality settings (from 96 kbps to 320 kbps).
• 📱 Works on iPhone (unlike many similar apps).

Instructions:

1. Download AudioRelay With official website (free version with time limit).
2. Install the server part on your PC and the client application on your phone.
3. Run the server on your computer and select Wi-Fi as a connection method.
4. On your phone, connect to the server using the IP address (displayed in the program on your PC).

⚠️ Attention: When using such programs, audio may lag by 50–300 ms. This is critical for watching videos; manual synchronization will be required (in the app settings).

Method 3: PulseAudio (for Linux and Windows with WSL)

If you use Linux or Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), you can set up audio transmission through PulseAudio — a sound server with network streaming support. This method requires command-line operation, but provides minimal latency and high stability.

Requirements:

• 🐧 Linux on PC (or WSL2 on Windows 10/11).
• 📱 Android smartphone with the app PulseAudio (For example, PulseAudio Volume Control).
• 🔧 Knowledge of basic commands terminal.

Step-by-step setup:

1. Install PulseAudio on PC:

   sudo apt install pulseaudio pulseaudio-utils

2. Edit the config to allow network access:

   sudo nano /etc/pulse/default.pa

   Add the line:

   load-module module-native-protocol-tcp auth-ip-acl=127.0.0.1;192.168.0.0/16

   (replace 192.168.0.0/16 to the subnet of your local network).

3. Restart PulseAudio:

   pulseaudio -k && pulseaudio --start

4. On your phone, connect to the server using your PC's IP address (port 4713).

PulseAudio supports multi-streaming audio, allowing you to listen to different sources on multiple devices simultaneously (for example, music on your phone and game audio on your speaker).

How to find a PC's IP address in Linux?

Open the terminal and enter the command hostname -IThe first address in the output is your computer's local IP.

4. Method: Voicemeeter + VBAN (for professional audio)

For musicians, streamers, or anyone who needs to transmit audio with minimal loss of quality, this combination is suitable. Voicemeeter (virtual mixer) and protocol VBANThis method allows you to:

• 🎤 Transmit audio from a microphone and system sources.
• 🎛️ Adjust the equalizer and effects in real time.
• 📡 Use multiple receiving devices.

Required software:

• 💻 Voicemeeter Banana (Windows) + VBAN Receiver (Android).
• 📱 VBAN (iOS app).

Setting:

1. Install Voicemeeter Banana and configure virtual devices in Audio System → Playback Devices.
2. IN Voicemeeter select Hardware Output → VBAN and enter the phone's IP address.
3. Launch it on your phone VBAN Receiver and connect to the PC.

⚠️ Attention: Voicemeeter creates virtual audio devices that may conflict with other programs (e.g. Discord or OBS Studio). Before setting up, close all audio applications.

5. Method: Chrome Remote Desktop (for remote control)

If you need to not only transmit sound, but also control your PC from your phone, this is suitable Chrome Remote DesktopThis method broadcasts the entire desktop, including sound, but requires a stable internet connection (minimum 10 Mbps).

Pros:

• 🖥️ Full control over your PC from your phone.
• 🔊 Audio transmission without additional settings.
• 🌍 Works via the Internet (you don’t have to be on the same network).

Cons:

• ⚠️ Sound delay up to 500 ms.
• 📶 Requires high internet speed.

How to set up:

1. Install the extension Chrome Remote Desktop in a browser on a PC.
2. Generate an access code in the section Remote support.
3. Open the app on your phone Chrome Remote Desktop and enter the code.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on your goals:

For most users, the optimal solution will be AudioRelay (versatility + low latency) or DLNA (simplicity for music). If you work with audio professionally, pay attention to Voicemeeter + VBAN.

Troubleshooting: Sound is interrupted or not transmitted

If the sound is intermittent or absent, check the following:

• 📶 Wi-Fi Quality: Reconnect both devices to the 5 GHz network (it is less crowded than 2.4 GHz).
• 🔌 Firewall: Disable Windows Firewall or add an exception for the software you are using (for example, AudioRelay.exe).
• 🔊 Default device: In Windows sound settings (Control Panel → Sound) check that the correct output device is selected.
• 📱 Energy saving: On Android, disable battery optimization for the receiver app (in your phone settings).

If the sound is delayed, try:

• Reduce the bitrate in the program settings (for example, in AudioRelay set 128 kbps instead of 320 kbps).
• Use a wired connection from your PC to the router (via Ethernet).
• Close background programs that consume traffic (torrents, cloud synchronizations).

⚠️ Attention: On iPhone, due to iOS limitations, many methods (such as SoundWire) do not work. Use AudioRelay or Chrome Remote Desktop.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to stream audio from a PC to a phone via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi simultaneously?

Technically yes, but this will create a conflict between audio routes. Most operating systems (Windows, Android, iOS) do not support simultaneous audio streaming to multiple wireless devices. If you need to duplicate audio, use Voicemeeter with multiple VBAN streams or configure PulseAudio for multi-channel broadcasting.

Why is sound transmitted with noise or distortion?

This is related to:

• Poor Wi-Fi signal quality (switch to 5 GHz or reduce the bitrate).
• Overloading the processor on your PC or phone (close unnecessary programs).
• Incompatible audio codec (select in the application settings) PCM instead of AAC).

For diagnostics, check the CPU load in Task Manager (Windows) or Developer settings (Android).

How to transfer audio from Mac to iPhone?

On macOS it's easiest to use AirPlay:

1. Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On Mac, open System Preferences → Sound → Output.
3. From the list of devices, select your iPhone (it should appear automatically).

To transfer system audio (not just from iTunes), use AudioRelay or Rogue Amoeba Airfoil (paid).

Is it possible to transfer audio from a PC to a phone via mobile Internet (4G/5G)?

Yes, but with some reservations:

• Methods like Chrome Remote Desktop or TeamViewer work via the Internet, but the sound delay will be higher (from 500 ms).
• For AudioRelay or PulseAudio you will need to set up port forwarding on your router or use a VPN (for example, ZeroTier).
• Operators may block some ports (for example, 4713 for PulseAudio), which will make connection impossible.

How to sync audio with video when streaming over Wi-Fi?

Audio lag is a common problem when streaming video. Solutions:

• IN AudioRelay or SoundWire use manual synchronization (slider) Audio Delay).
• In players (VLC, Kodi), adjust the audio delay manually (Tools → Effects & Filters → Sync).
• For streaming (OBS, XSplit) use Voicemeeter with setting Compensation Delay.

The optimal latency for video is 0–100 ms. If the difference is greater, the video will "lead" the audio.