Temporary audio output

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Temporary audio output

I have my Apple TV 4K set up to use my HomePod mini as the default audio output. The HomePod is set up in a different room from the Apple TV. I also have a Bluetooth stereo in the same room as the Apple TV, however I cannot set that up as the default audio output. The best I can do is set it in the Temporary Audio Output section, but that seems to be very temporary. Like a minute or two only. After that, the Apple TV switches right back to the HomePod.

What I have found though is that if I set the default audio output to TV speakers, then the Temporary Audio Output to the Bluetooth stereo seems to stick around longer.

I’ve searched around but really can’t find much information on exactly what Temporary Audio Output actually does, and I can’t tell whether the behavior I’m seeing is expected behavior. If it is, then I guess the best I can do is switch the default audio output between the HomePod when I want that for a long period, and then switch back to TV speakers + Temporary Audio Output to the Bluetooth stereo when I want that. I guess that’s not too bad.

Does the HomePod mini just continue to hijack the audio when it’s the default audio output, essentially rendering Temporary Audio Output to the Bluetooth useless?

Posted on Jan 8, 2022 2:50 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Brian_P7

Community Specialist

Jan 9, 2022 4:43 PM in response to pumpichank

Hey there, pumpichank.

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities! Thanks for posting your question about audio adjustments you've made to your setup in relation to your Apple TV 4K. We's be glad to see how we can help.

If you have HomePod selected in Video and Audio > Audio Output, that'll be the main audio connection. Though there is a note that "This setting routes all sound, including navigation clicks, from Apple TV to your HomePod. Only HomePod speakers can be selected for default audio output and home theater sound. If you temporarily select other speaker options (such as HomePod mini or other wireless speakers), home theater sound and navigation clicks are not supported and your speaker selection resets after Apple TV is put to sleep.", so what you're mentioning does appear to be a bit abnormal, as the changing back of the speakers should only occur once the Apple TV is put to sleep. More info on that in Use Apple TV to play audio throughout your home.

This could mean that the Bluetooth speaker system is losing connection periodically with the Apple TV, so it might be a good idea to look over Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference just in case this might be an issue of some sort. If you can determine that there is nothing interfering with the connection, Get Support directly from Apple here for more assistance.

Take care.

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Answer 2

pumpichank Author

Level 1

27 points

Jan 10, 2022 10:26 PM in response to Brian_P7

Thanks for your response. It does sound like a weird unexpected problem. However it does seem like a good workaround to set the default audio to TV speakers and then use bluetooth from there. Oh, and HomePod mini seems to work as default audio in that setting now too.

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Temporary audio output

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