Can you set a HomePod mini stereo pair as the default speaker’s for a Apple TV HD?

Try it using the Remote after you have paired your minis. As I posted in another thread, for the AppleTV-HD there is no longer an Audio Output setting in tvOS 14.2 under Video & Audio to connect HomePod(s) as speaker(s). One has to use the Control Center on the Remote by pressing and holding the TV button until the Control Center appears on screen and selecting the AirPlay icon and then your HomePod(s). See <https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202809#appletv>.

Good luck!

Hey,

Ive bought a pair of HomePod minis for use with my Apple TV but I’m having the same issue. If i understand it correctly i can not set the homepods as a default stereo pair for all Apple TV Audio, I have to manually select them for each program we watch? This seems crazy?

Mark

Because I’m considering buying some HomePod minis, I just want to be clear:

It sounds like it is possible to set up two HomePod minis as a stereo pair and the Apple TV can use the pair for audio output.

But the only issue is that neither the Apple TV HD nor the Apple TV 4K can set that HomePod mini stereo pair as the default audio output.

Is that right?

Are there any other issues? And more importantly—how does it sound?

Thank you!

I am using two HomePod Minis as a stereo pair for an Apple TV 4K. I can't set them as the default, but they do work.

Because they aren't the default, there are oddities. You have no interface sound when navigating the UI. At the end of a Netflix show, when the credits start to roll, and the interface pops up offering to play the next episode, the sound still streams but the sound level cannot be changed.

On the positive side, Siri works nicely, and you can handoff music from your phone, and doing so doesn't force you to reconnect to the Apple TV afterwards.

As for the sound quality, I am happy, and I'd wager that most people would be, but an audiophile likely wouldn't be satisfied with the weak bass. There is only so much small speakers can do.

Overall, I'm pleased, but Apple really needs to allow for the default sound option.

Thanks to much @getzen for that. Very helpful.

It’s so strange how Apple’s smart speaker strategy seems to be such a work in progress —I’m eagerly awaiting Spotify support (if it ever comes) — and running in slow motion too, really.

I grabbed a pair of the mini’s and could not connect them to Apple TV. Spent 90 minutes with Apple Support, no luck they are to talk with engineering and get back to me. I found the issue. My Apple TV was hard wired to the internet. It was not on the same WiFi network are the home pods. Un plugged the Ethernet, connected to WiFi. Bingo works great.

So bottom line Apple TV must be on WiFi not hardwired.

Hey, did you managed to get your HomePod minis to be the default speakers for your Apple TV or do you need to repair every time? Mine are on the same WiFi network but can find the option to default pair, any advice?

Yes once I put the Apple TV to WiFi, it uses the mini as speakers for most apps. I have had one or two go back to the tv speaker. But once I went back to the YouTube tv it used the mini’s as the speaker. Very happy

totally agree. I've just bought one to see how it is and works great on my Apple 4K TV, but, Apple glaringly removed the default option to set the HomePod Mini as the default output speaker. So it works where it's important, but, Apple definitely needs to bring this to HomePod Mini and soon as it adds to the users experience. Hopefully soon Apple will realize the importance of this experience and flow of enjoyment.

Apple, Please add in the default audio output for HomePod Mini !!!! Let's make it greater than it currently is !!!!!

Thanks in advance

Agreed, I have an AppleTV HD and one HomePod mini. It’s really aggravating that I can’t set the mini as a default speaker. The TV sound is really tinny, hence the HomePod mini purchase.

Sometimes the mini gets used automatically, sometimes I have to select it manually and then sometimes I can’t control the sound level on the mini with the TV remote.

What point are Apple trying to make with this restriction?

No you can't! You used to be able to and Apple limited the default audio device to only HomePods in the latest update, can't select the mini anymore. So people would have to buy the more expensive model to use this function. Very disappointing since many people ordered their HomePod minis before the change and now have to use the inferior and buggy AirPlay method. I will be returning my mini since it is no longer fit for purpose.

Thats right. Found out the hard way. Printing the return labels for both of the ones I just got now. Also to integrate it in theater mode (use them as rear speakers etc) you have to buy the 300$ ones, they disabled that on the minis. A real shame, these would be PERFECT for setting up an expensive surround sound system.

Oh Well. Cheap to buy bluetooth speakers off label of apple, and pair through your TV, and get the same thing for less.

Note that big HomePods work differently than Minis with Apple TV 4K. The big HomePod can be set as the permanent audio output for "Home Theater", but the Mini still just connects via AirPlay 2 and may disconnect when used for other things.

This feature was mentioned during the Apple keynote as something you could only do with the big HomePod.

I have same problem since 14.2. And the most apps do not work with this solution, you have to use TV speakers!!! This is the most terrible user experience in my life with Apple. It seems HomePod mini sucks!

Current TV and HomePod OS version: 14.4