[2026 Guide] How to Get Dolby Atmos on Disney Plus?

Struggling to get Disney Plus Dolby Atmos to work on your home theater system? You aren't alone. Seeing a generic "5.1" icon instead of the Atmos badge is a common frustration for thousands of subscribers of Disney Plus.

Whether you are troubleshooting why Dolby Atmos is not working on your Samsung TV or wondering which subscription plan actually supports immersive audio, this guide covers it all. I have broken down the exact requirements—from the new Premium plan restrictions to the specific HDMI settings—to help you unlock the 3D sound experience you paid for.

Does Disney Plus Have Dolby Atmos?

Yes, Disney Plus supports Dolby Atmos, but it's no longer available to everyone. It is now strictly locked behind the Disney+ Premium (No Ads) subscription plan.

If you are currently on the Basic (With Ads) or Standard plan, the Disney+ app will cap your audio output at 5.1 surround sound, even if your TV and soundbar are fully capable of Atmos.

To get the full immersive experience, you need three things to align perfectly:

1. The Content: A movie or show explicitly labeled with the "Dolby Atmos" badge.
2. The Plan: A valid Premium subscription.
3. The Gear: A compatible streaming device and audio system connected via HDMI eARC.

The 3 "Must-Haves" for Atmos on Disney+

Getting that immersive 3D sound isn't as simple as hitting "play." If even one link in your setup—your subscription, your cable, or your TV settings—is weak, Disney+ will automatically downgrade you to standard 5.1 audio.

Before you start messing with complex TV menus, check these three non-negotiable requirements.

The Right Subscription Plan

I cannot stress the rules changed in 2024 enough. Previously, Dolby Atmos was available to all subscribers. Now, Disney has followed Netflix's lead. You must have the Disney+ Premium (No Ads) plan to stream in Dolby Atmos.

• Basic / Standard Plans: Capped at 5.1 Surround Sound.
• Premium Plan: Unlocks 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos.

If you are trying to save a few bucks on the ad-supported tier, your fancy Sonos Arc or Samsung Q990C soundbar will sadly never reach its full potential on this app.

Compatible Hardware Chain

To enjoy Disney Plus Dolby Atmos is definitely not just about having "Atmos-capable" devices. It's about how you connect them.

1. The Display (TV/Projector): The TV needs to support Dolby Atmos passthrough via HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) if you are using the internal Disney+ app. Most modern 4K TVs from Samsung, LG (OLED series), and Sony support this.

2. The Source (Streaming Device): If you aren't using the TV's built-in app, you need a certified streaming stick. Top picks are Apple TV 4K (Gen 2 or later), Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and Nvidia Shield TV Pro.

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Console Note: Xbox Series X/S supports Atmos, but PS5 support is finicky and often requires specific beta settings.

3. The Sound System: Obviously, you need a soundbar or AV receiver that can decode the Atmos signal.

4. The Cables: Ensure you are using High-Speed HDMI 2.1 cables. Old HDMI cables often lack the bandwidth to carry 4K video and Atmos audio simultaneously.

Internet Speed Requirements

Dolby Atmos data rides on top of the 4K video stream. If your internet dips, Disney+ prioritizes keeping the video playing, often by cutting the audio quality first.

Disney recommends 25 Mbps for 4K UHD content. It's the minimum requirement.

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If possible, use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi for your TV or Apple TV. Stable speed prevents the dreaded buffer wheel and audio dropouts.

Disney Plus Dolby Atmos Supported Devices List

Read this section to check if your streaming device and the Disney plus app actually support the Atmos format. Yes, not all Disney+ apps are created equal.

Below is the current compatibility list (updated on December 12, 2025). I've categorized them to help you quickly find your gear.

Disney+ on PC browsers does not support Dolby Atmos. Many users think it's a hardware fault, but it's a platform restriction in fact. If you want Atmos on your PC rig, you have two options:

1. Connect a supported device (like an Apple TV or Shield TV) to your PC monitor.
2. Download the content using a specialized tool to bypass browser limitations (more on this in the "Offline" section below).

Step-by-Step: How to Enable Dolby Atmos on Disney Plus?

Ok, now, all the necessary items are prepared: the plan, the gear, and the cable. Now we can finally set up our device to let it send a 3D audio signal instead of crushing the signal down to stereo. To turn on the "Dolby Atmos" button, follow these steps on different devices:

On Android TV or Google TV

The Disney+ app on Android TV (Sony Bravia, Nvidia Shield, Hisense) has a manual override switch:

1. Open Disney+ App > Profile Icon > App Settings.
2. Look for "Audio Playback" or "Data Usage".
3. Ensure Data Usage is set to "Automatic" or "High".

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On some Android builds, look for a toggle specifically named "Dolby Atmos" and turn it ON.

On Apple TV 4K

Apple TV is notorious for trying to decode audio itself (PCM) rather than letting your soundbar do the work. But we can set and force it to behave.

1. Go to tvOS Settings > Video and Audio > Audio Format.
2. Set Change Format to OFF. (If you set this to "On", it forces Dolby Digital 5.1 and disables Atmos).
3. Ensure "Dolby Atmos" shows as ON.

On Other TV and Soundbar

If your Soundbar displays "PCM" or "Multi Ch In" instead of "Dolby Atmos," your TV is likely doing the processing. Follow these steps to stop that:

On Samsung TVs:       

1. Go to Settings > Sound > Expert Settings.
2. Set HDMI eARC Mode to Auto.
3. Set Digital Output Audio Format to Pass-Through (if available) or Auto. Do not choose PCM.

LG TVs (WebOS):

1. Go to Settings > Sound > Sound Out.
2. Set Digital Sound Out to Pass Through. (Avoid "Auto" on older LGs, as it can cause sync delays).

Amazon Fire TV Stick:

1. Go to Settings > Display & Sounds > Audio > Surround Sound.
2. Select "Best Available".

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When setting up, if you see "DD+", you might be on the wrong subscription plan or using an optical cable (which doesn't support Atmos).

If you prefer watching someone navigate these menus in real-time, this video covers the specific settings for the LG soundbar. More similar tutorial videos can be found on the official channel of Dolby.

Troubleshooting: Why is Dolby Atmos Not Working on Disney Plus?

If all of these settings are done, but the badge still isn't showing up, is there method other than factory resetting TVs? I collected 4 fixes from the community and revised them based on my tests. Run through this 4-point diagnostic checklist to troubleshoot:

It's basic, but it can always catch everyone off guard: Check your account status. Did your annual subscription renew recently? Did you switch bundles? If your plan downgrades to Disney+ Basic or Standard, you lose Atmos access immediately.

2. The HDMI Issue

Sometimes, your TV and soundbar just stop talking to each other. This is called a "handshake" failure. To quickly fix the problem, unplug your TV and Soundbar from the wall (not just the remote) for 60 seconds. Plug them back in to force a fresh HDMI handshake.

3. The "Spatial Audio" Conflict

If you are using a Sony Bravia TV or Apple TV, "fake" 3D audio features can sometimes block the real Dolby Atmos signal.

For Sony TV Users: Go to Settings > Audio Output. Turn OFF "3D Surround Upscaling" or any "Sound Mode" that isn't Standard/Dolby.

For Apple TV Users: Ensure "Spatial Audio" is configured correctly in the Control Center. Sometimes, toggling "Head Tracking" off helps stabilize the signal to a soundbar.

4. Fire TV Stick Diagnostic Menu

Amazon Fire TV devices have a hidden tool to check what audio is actually coming through. On your Fire Remote, hold Center + Down for 5 seconds, then press Menu (Hamburger button). Turn on "System X-Ray". It will show you real-time audio stats overlay. If it says "EAC3" without Atmos metadata, it's usually an app or plan limitation.

How to Watch Disney Plus in Dolby Atmos Offline?

You've invested in the Premium plan and a high-end sound system. But let's be honest: streaming isn't perfect. Wi-Fi drops, buffering wheels ruin the climax, and titles rotate out of the library unexpectedly.

Do you want to archive these Dolby Atmos masterpieces and build a personal movie library that belongs to you?

No ads interrupting the flow, no bitrate drops causing pixelation, just one blockbuster after another in pristine quality. KeepStreams for Disney Plus is the tool that makes this possible. It can save original video files in 1080p or 4K, all while preserving the original Dolby Atmos audio track.

KeepStreams for Disney Plus

Download Disney Plus videos in original 1080p or 4K high quality, along with Dolby Atmos, EAC3 5.1 and AAC 2.0 audio.

• Work on Windows PC and Mac
• Save videos in FHD 1080p and even 4K
• Save Dolby Atmos, EAC3 5.1, and AAC 2.0 audio
• Use H264 and H265 video codec
• Convert videos into MP4/MKV format
• Remove ads from downloaded videos
• Extract subtitles into SRT files
• Schedule downloads and save new episodes automatically
• Select the languages of subs and audio
• Download multiple episodes together
• 30-day free trial to save up to 3 full-length videos

 Free Trial  Free Trial

Learn More

Unlike screen recorders that degrade quality, KeepStreams allows you to download Disney+ content directly into compatible MP4/MKV video files. It's the collector's method to break free from buffering and ads forever. It's very use to use KeepStreams:

Open KeepStreams and select Disney+ from the VIP Services. Log in to your own Disney+ account.

Select and play a video that supports Dolby Atmos. KeepStreams will automatically detect and download the video source. And a download setting window will pop up, where you can choose the video quality, audio, and subtitles.

Click on "Download Now" or "Add to Queue" to start the download. You can choose to add an entire season of Andor or the Avengers saga to your queue and download them all at once.

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KeepStreams can only save videos that you can access. So please make sure that you've subscribed to the ad-free Disney+ plan before downloading Dolby Atmos audio.

Best Dolby Atmos Movies on Disney Plus to Test Your System

Once you get that "Dolby Atmos" badge to light up, you need the right content to show it off. Not all Atmos mixes are created equal. Some are subtle, but others will shake your floorboards. Check my personal Disney+ Dolby Atmos movies list:

The reference standard. The underwater scenes use height channels brilliantly to make you feel submerged. Listen for the creaks of the submarine hulls above you.

Star Wars: Andor (TV Series)

Unlike the loud explosions of the movies, Andor uses Atmos for atmosphere—rain on roofs, distant TIE fighters, and bustling city crowds. Great for testing clarity.

Hamilton

Perfect for testing center channel vocals. With Atmos, the audience applause feels like it's coming from behind you, while the singing remains razor-sharp in the front.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

A bass test. The spell-casting effects swirl around the room, giving your subwoofer and rear speakers a serious workout.

Pixar's Elemental

Animated films often have the cleanest audio mixes. The separation between water splashes and fire crackles is incredibly precise here.

For more recommendations, check the selected list of our editors: The Best Shows on Disney Plus Now and Ever.

Conclusion

Getting that little "Dolby Atmos" light to turn on might feel like solving a puzzle, but the reward is worth it. Hearing the tie fighters scream over your head in Star Wars changes the entire experience. Always remember the golden rule: Premium Plan + eARC Port + Certified Device.

If you have checked all those boxes and still have issues—or if you are stuck on a PC—don't be afraid to try the offline route. Your home theater deserves better than flat stereo sound.