Not able to connect nRF5340 LE Audio to Android

[Paveletu]

Hi support team! I hope you're well.

I'm trying to connect nRF5340 Audio DK (gateway) to my Pixel 6a. The problem is there's no `NRF5340_AUDIO` detected via Bluetooth when I flash the sample in CIS mode and in BIS mode it's detected but cannot be connect (please find a screenshot from nRF Connect application attached).

Is there any way to make nRF5340 connectable to a phone?

Also, does my phone require to have a "LE Audio" supported chipset (like the once listed here: www.qualcomm.com/.../bluetooth-le-audio) on it to even be connected? Will Bluetooth 5.2 and OS support (Android 13 has support for LE Audio profile) not be enough?

As a side note my question is very similar to this one: https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/91856/nrf5340-audio-dk-connection-to-phone

Many thanks,
Warm Regards,
Pavel

[Paveletu]

Hi Nordic team,

I've just received Pixel 7 with LE Audio support and I still cannot connect to any of NRF5340 Audio configurations (headset/gateway, CIS/BIS). Is it possible? Here's the screenshot from NRF Connect application:



Thank you,
Warm regards,
Pavel

[dejans]

Hi Pavel,

You cannot see the gateway in CIS mode because gateway scans for headsets, does not advertise. However, in BIS mode gateway advertises to other headsets and they should be able to find it and connect to it. 

It is phone that should act as a gateway. Why do you want to use nRF5340 audio DK as a gateway when connecting to the phone? 

Best regards,
Dejan

[Paveletu]

Hi Dejan,

Can you please provide a little bit more information? Is there restrictions on nRF5340 end? Just want to understand a bit more

Thank you,
Warm regards,
Pavel

[dejans]

Hi Pavel,

Restriction is most probably not on nRF5340 audio side as there is a way to support bidirectional communication using CONFIG_STREAM_BIDIRECTIONAL. The restriction might be on the way how Android handles this on their side.

Best regards,
Dejan

[xmoex]

We also tried the bidirectional mode to send audio data back to the Pixel 7 but to no success so far... We tried 2.2.0 of nRF Connect SDK. Would you recommend another android device for testing?

Edit:

Our Pixel 7 Build number is TQ1A.230105.001.A2

[dejans]

Hi,

Currently, we do not have recommendation for Android device which you could use for testing.

Best regards,
Dejan

[uzer123]

Has anyone tested if Pixel 7 (which i understand is the only mobile that -experimentally at least- supports BLE audio), with NRF5340 audio dk in BIS mode?

I am interested in a scenario where nrf5340 audio dk works as gateway (audio source), streaming PC audio, and a mobile can connect without any need for prior configuration (ideally, i can pre-program once the nrf5340 audio dk as gateway in BIS mode, and many pixel 7 phones can connect without any modification).

[dejans]

Hi,

I am not sure about Pixel 7 capabilities, but it is not common for Android phone to be broadcast receiver. Usually, this role is dedicated to earbuds and headsets.

Best regards,
Dejan