Homepod mini handoff not working

I was able to finally solve this with my HomePod mini and iPhone XS by doing the following: on my phone Settings> WiFi>the network that I am currently connected to and then unchecking Private Address. As soon as I unchecked that the song I was playing popped up that it could be played on the HomePod mini and it seems to have solved the problem. Using the Private address under Wifi prevents tracking but must make it hard for the HomePod to find my phone. Anyway not sure if this has been posted and hope it helps someone.

I had the same issue. I fixed it just by changing the region on my iPhone. (I'm from México). All I did was open the Settings app - General - Language & Region and change the Region from México to United States.

Hope it helps.

I have found that if I toggle airplane mode AND Bluetooth in my iPhone's control center, handoff starts working again.

I made a shortcut that does this for me. Usually if I run this shortcut, handoff starts working again. https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/baef3acefb23407fbdc37cf177574360

Based on my experience and the above fix, it seems to be an issue with the iPhone software and the UI chip not the HomePod mini.

The handoff feature is GREAT when it works, but it's terribly unreliable. Hopefully Apple gets it together before I forget about the feature entirely.

Hello.

I had this same issue, too. But I found the solution. It's by disabling the airplane mode. Because when you turn on airplane mode, it seems like it blocks some function of the chip, not sure if it's a bug or is its design... So, Make sure you have 1) bluetooth on, 2) same wifi, 3)turn off airplane mode. Hope it can solve your problem.

You didn’t mention if you tried what people have said is the “fix“ in the last thread. Go to settings, privacy, motion and fitness, and turn on motion and fitness tracking.

Update HomePod and the iOS device you used to set up HomePod to iOS 14.4. Released today.

I had the same issue with my iPhone 12 and 12 pro. I have the deviecs updated to the newest firmware. I also have Apple Watch paired with my iPhone. I have tried reset setttings but the hand off never works since I got it.

Somehow, I just reset the Home app and restart the HomePod mini today. It started working and no issues so far. It may be worth a try if you had the same issue.

the real reason why homepod mini is not working on your device is that it is mainly for iPhone 11 and up. apparently anything older than the iPhone 11 will have handoff support but with Airplay functionality. Sorry if Apple hasn't explained this in 100% full detail.

Had the same problem with all over my devices incl. HomePod (not mini). What helped was signing out of iCloud everywhere, restart all devices and afterwards signing back into iCloud again. Annoying, but did the job for me. Although some features like the iCloud clipboard seem to need an hour or so to work properly.

Update HomePod and the iOS device you used to set up HomePod to iOS 14.4. Released today, is supposed to have fixed the Handoff bugs

HomePod Software Version 14.4

Software version 14.4 includes bug fixes and the following new features with an Ultra Wideband (U1) equipped iPhone.

• Hand off music with visual, audible, and haptic effects from iPhone to HomePod mini
• Get personalized listening suggestions on iPhone when it is next to HomePod mini
• Media controls automatically appear without having to unlock iPhone when it is close to HomePod mini

About Software Updates for HomePod - Apple Support

OK EVERYONE, SOLUTION PROPOSAL:

I tried this and got it working.

1.) Start a FaceTime Audio call with a family member or friend (normal call should work too, but I used FaceTime Audio, so I wouldn’t know lol) and talk for maybe 30 seconds or so; it shouldn’t matter.

2.) Click the speaker icon and choose your HomePod mini.

3.) Talk for a few seconds on HomePod mini.

4.) Click the speaker icon on your iPhone and switch the audio back to your iPhone’s speaker.

5.) Try using Handoff to transfer the call back to HomePod mini. Don’t click the speaker this time, try holding your phone on top of HomePod mini.

6.) Be patient, your arm might be there for up to 20 seconds.

7.) The call should transfer. Wait a few seconds, talk, and hold iPhone near HomePod mini again to transfer the call back to iPhone.

8.) Tragically separate with your friend forever my ending the call.

9.) Use a media (audio or video, doesn’t matter) app of your choose and do the Handoff motion back and forth a few times, maybe 3 or so.

10.) Handoff should be working smoothly.

11.) I kindly request that you don’t reply with: “Apple needs to fix this”, “this isn’t ok, it shouldn’t be this hard, or “this isn’t very Apple-esque”, because we all feel the same way and there’s already thousands of other people on the Internet who said literally the same thing. Please just relax and know that Apple will fix it as soon as humanly possible just like with every issue before.

12.) Relax, enjoy some music, and have a chocolate vanilla ice cream cone, because what’s not Apple-esque or human is plain vanilla : )

(Just a joke : ) I know people have preferences)

Hope this helps! If it doesn’t, I’m sorry. Please contact Apple’s best-in-class support team over live chat, iMessage, or phone at 1 (800) MY-APPLE, and an agent from Technical Support will do their absolute best to find a solution that’s right for you.

Hello.

I had this same issue, too. But I found the solution. It's by disabling the airplane mode. Because when you turn on airplane mode, it seems like it blocks some function of the chip, not sure if it's a bug or is its design... So, Make sure you have 1) bluetooth on, 2) same wifi, 3)turn off airplane mode. Hope it can solve your problem.

Furthermore, it starts playing U2 music cause when you don't transferring music from your iPhone/MacBook or other support device, then the HomePod mini will search music automatically from your Apple Music library, and It can do this is because you log in your Apple ID in the HomePod mini.

<< UPDATED>>

Hello. 

I had this same issue, too. But I found the solution. It's by disabling the airplane mode. Because when you turn on airplane mode, it seems like it blocks some function of the chip, not sure if it's a bug or is its design... So, Make sure you TURN OFF AIRPLANE MODE. It doesn’t matter if the bluetooth is one or with the same wifi spot.   Hope it can solve your problem. 

My airplay always worked. Turning on fitness tracking made actual HandOff work 100% for me

Had the same problem with iPhone XS. What helped me was the advice to turn on motion detection. Did it here: General - Privacy - Motion & Fitness - Fitness Tracking. Thank you, KhyberNY!