ammanca wrote:
Whenever I leave the house with my iphone, whatever is playing on the HomePods stops playing. Turning off "hand-off" doesn't work. I am trying to leave music playing on my HomePods for my dogs when I go out.
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Clearly if you're using the Apple Music app on your iPhone, playing via an AirPlay connection to the HomePods (initiated via Hand-off or otherwise), the play will stop when you disconnect from your WiFi link to the HomePods...
Asking the HomePods to play something, rather than initiating the command from my phone also does not work.
Well, this is the right approach... let's make it work! I gather you've gotten Apple Music setup as the Default Service? Do that.
Next, using the Home app, long-press the HomePod(s) in question and scroll down to bring up the Settings Screen... You'll see a section titled "AUTOMATIONS" with a canned Automation labeled "When I Leave Home, Pause Media" with a switch next to it. If that's switched on, there's the problem. If not... try creating a Scene or Automation that plays the dog's favorite music.