Confirm the supported combination
Identify the AirPods model, Apple device, system version and application before following a control path. Apple’s current guide is scoped to its version 27 systems and says Spatial Audio is not available for every app or item. Ordinary Bluetooth audio connecting successfully does not establish the availability of every spatial feature in the intended viewing application.
Read the two modes separately
The guide describes Fixed as Spatial Audio without head tracking, while Head Tracked enables both. Off disables them. On supported iPhone or iPad configurations, the documented route is Control Center, a held volume control and the Spatial Audio option. Use the applicable section for Mac or Apple TV rather than copying a mobile touch instruction to a television remote.
Test the intended perceptual behaviour
Use supported authorised content and compare the same short passage with the modes deliberately selected. Note whether the sound’s perceived position changes with head movement. Keep other sound adjustments fixed during the comparison. A preference for one presentation is not evidence that the source file changed or that the internet connection became faster.
Check per-app persistence
Apple states that these settings can be saved and applied again for the same supported app. If another app behaves differently, inspect its actual supported controls instead of assuming a system-wide choice was ignored. Apple TV also has a documented all-app head-tracking control. This guide explains those published distinctions; it reports no AirPods device test or UK IPTV Spatial Audio compatibility.