Surface Earbuds now let you turn aptX on and off

Surface Earbuds Hero Box (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

The Surface Earbuds have a new firmware update.
The update brings the ability to turn the aptX codec on or off.
When the aptX codec is off, the Surface Earbuds use the SBC codec.

Microsoft's support page for the Surface Earbuds outlines the change, which can also be found below.

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Firmware version	Update info
3.0.0.6	Enables an option within the Surface Audio app that allows the ability to turn on or off using the aptX codec. When turned off, Surface Earbuds will use the SBC codec.

If you turn the aptX codec off on the Surface Earbuds, the buds will use the SBC codec instead.

The update for the Surface Earbuds should be available now.

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Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.