AirPort Express Speaker Name keeps reverting after being changed.

Question

AirPort Express Speaker Name keeps reverting after being changed.

I want to change my AirPlay Speaker Name on my AirPort Express.

I change it using macOS AirPort Utility by going to AirPlay > AirPlay Speaker Name.

I click on Update, the device updates and restarts. The AirPlay speaker name has successfully updated. My other devices list the new name when choosing an AirPlay destination. If I go back into AirPort Utility, the new name is listed.

BUT… a few days later I notice it has reverted to the previous AirPlay speaker name! I go back to AirPort Utility and yes, it's back. I change it again. Same result, a few days later it has reverted. I've done it four times now, always the same.

I'm running the latest firmware (7.8.1) so it's using AirPlay 2 here. I've had various AirPorts for years and know what I'm doing with them.

This looks like a bug?

Posted on Jan 10, 2022 9:46 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Russell Quinn Author

Level 1

22 points

Jan 14, 2022 11:49 AM in response to Russell Quinn

I found the solution to this. HomeKit overwrites the speaker name with what you have it named in there. So, run the Home app, tap the speaker, tap the Settings cog at bottom right, then edit the name.

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Answer 2

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

Jan 10, 2022 11:51 AM in response to Russell Quinn

If I remember correctly, the AirPlay Speaker Name is by default the same name as the AirPort Express Base Station name.

Try renaming the AirPort Express Base Station to the name that you want to use for the AirPlay Speaker Name. Then, the name that you want to use for the AirPlay Speaker Name should appear by default and not need to be changed.

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Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

Jan 10, 2022 10:14 AM in response to Russell Quinn

This looks like a bug?

One of a number, but Apple has not issued any firmware updates for the Express in about two and a half years.

Please open AirPort Utility and click on the AirPort Express to display a smaller window with information about the AirPort Express. If you see "Unknown" next to the Connection, that might be a clue to why the name changes to a previous name after a time.

If you have the time......and as an experiment......try rolling back the firmware to something like version 7.6.9 to see if there is any difference in the AirPlay Speaker Name behavior. Unfortunately, the earlier firmware versions will not support AirPlay2 though.

And the Connection will likely still appear as "Unknown".

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Answer 4

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

Jan 10, 2022 11:00 AM in response to Russell Quinn

A guess would be that the IP Address assigned to the AirPort Express changes when the DHCP Lease expires and a new IP Address is issued to the Express from the main router..

Assigning a Static IP Address to the Express......so that it always receives the same IP Address from the main router.......may or may not help with the naming issue. I don't have an Express handy here to test, but when I was having problems with the WiFi printer disconnecting every few days, assigning a Static IP Address to the printer really helped with connection stability to the network. Ultimately, I decided to connect the printer using Ethernet to the router and set it up that way. No problems for many months using the wired Ethernet cable connection.

All things considered , if the Express remains connected to the network reliably, and you don't have to restart the Express every few days and you are not having audio drop out issues, you are way ahead in the game.

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Answer 5

Jan 10, 2022 11:04 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Good idea about the static IP address. I'll try that. It's a weird bug!

I have many AirPort Expresses that I use as wireless clients, solely for running AirPlay 2 speakers. I haven't touched them in years and, in general, they are rock solid (with their limited task), until this seemingly simple administrative task!

Thanks again for your thoughts.

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Answer 6

Jan 10, 2022 11:55 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Yep, both Base Station and AirPlay Speaker Name were the same before. When I updated, I changed both Base Station and Airplay Speaker names to be the new name. Base Station Name sticks; Airplay Speaker Name reverts.

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Answer 7

Jan 10, 2022 10:21 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Connection is, indeed, "unknown."

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Answer 8

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

Jan 14, 2022 11:55 AM in response to Russell Quinn

Nice work. Goofy that the name that you assign to the device is overwritten by another app, but there you go.

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AirPort Express Speaker Name keeps reverting after being changed.

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