HomePods cannot be stereo-paired

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Level 1

6 points

HomePods cannot be stereo-paired

My Mac and iPhone/iPad run on the latest OS version, HomePods 2nd Gen on 16.4. Music is currently running on the LEFT HomePod.

HomePods cannot be operated in stereo
Home App Mac: Shows BOTH HomePods individually in status "Playing"
Home App iPhone: Shows the HomePods as a stereo pair in "Configure" status (for 4 hours)
Home App iPad: Shows HomePod 1 in "Configure" and HomePod 2 in “stopped" status

In addition, 2 HomePod minis are in use, which cannot be operated as a stereo pair as well. Similar problems in the home apps. The temperature can only be displayed from one HomePod, the other speakers report "not connected".

The problems last over several OS versions (beta and normal). I reset the speakers x-times in all possible ways, deleted and added them again, deleted the home and added the speakers to a test home, changed the names of the speakers, restarted Mac and mobiles - what you can find when googling. Everything was unsuccessful. The WLAN strength is excellent, in use are Aruba-Accesspoints.

Is anyone able to help me?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

HomePod (2nd generation)

Posted on Apr 5, 2023 9:31 AM

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Answer 1

Vancouver22

Level 8

37,830 points

Apr 6, 2023 1:40 AM in response to cfacc

To clarify, you have the HomePods in the same room for stereo pairing?

When you reset them it’s best to use the pressing the top method to clear iCloud data.

Reset HomePod or HomePod mini - Apple Support. Sometimes this isn’t as complete as it should be and might still remain in your list of associated devices in iCloud. To check if you’ve gotten them out of your Apple ID, in your iPhone settings - your name - scroll down the list of your devices to see if the reset homepod is still in there, if it is, tap it to remove. This way you’re really starting from scratch on the set up.

Reboot your wifi before starting with set up.

Then try setting up again but don’t agree to pairing until set up is “ Done”. If configuring is taking a long time as in hours, unplug the homepod for 10 seconds then plug back in.

** the first test play from your Mac so they can get started playing in sync. Use the music app or Apple TV app.

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Answer 2

cfacc Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 7, 2023 4:48 AM in response to Vancouver22

Thank you very much for your long and detailed reply!

To clarify, you have the HomePods in the same room for stereo pairing? -> yes, they are in the same room like my Mac and a WLAN access-point.

When you reset them it’s best to use the pressing the top method to clear iCloud data. -> done

Reset HomePod or HomePod mini - Apple Support. Sometimes this isn’t as complete as it should be and might still remain in your list of associated devices in iCloud. To check if you’ve gotten them out of your Apple ID, in your iPhone settings - your name - scroll down the list of your devices to see if the reset homepod is still in there, if it is, tap it to remove. This way you’re really starting from scratch on the set up. -> done

Reboot your wifi before starting with set up. -> done

Then try setting up again but don’t agree to pairing until set up is “ Done”. If configuring is taking a long time as in hours, unplug the homepod for 10 seconds then plug back in. -> done

** the first test play from your Mac so they can get started playing in sync. Use the music app or Apple TV app.

-> done

Unfortunately without success. Stereo-pairing still not possible, no consistent display in the Home Apps.

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Answer 3

Vancouver22

Level 8

37,830 points

Apr 5, 2023 2:13 PM in response to cfacc

You might need to reset them and set up again. To speed up configuration it might be best to stereo pair after set up

Reset HomePod or HomePod mini - Apple Support

why is it configuring though? Did you just do a software update or reset them?

For other issues you might try Upgrade to the new Home architecture - Apple Support but please read it in full as to not all devices being able to update to the latest software. Those devices will not be able to use the Home App or share with others who can’t update their devices, etc.

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Answer 4

Vancouver22

Level 8

37,830 points

Apr 7, 2023 11:01 AM in response to cfacc

Another option would be to sign out and sign back in again .

You could start by signing out of each HomePod - primary user . I think you say you’ve tried this though.

Additionally you could sign out of iCloud on your iPhone (assuming this is your iPhone - which is now best you use for all device set ups) and try on your Mac in system prefs. Be sure to enable home, keychain and Find My once you’ve signed back in.

Try these sign outs by signing out, restarting the device then signing back in

I’m also having issues - nothing with the Home App but the HomePods keep disconnecting and I’m going to call out my isp to see what can be done. They work flawlessly with my Apple TV. At first I had my wifi disabled from being Dual Bands. They do not like Dual Bands.

I thought the home architecture upgrade might have resolved it but it hasn’t.

I forgot one more thing to try in regards to your phone being the device that set them up and them using your phone’s wifi. Try resetting network settings on your iPhone: In Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Join wifi again after it restarts

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Answer 5

cfacc Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 6, 2023 12:36 AM in response to Vancouver22

THX for replying. I not only made a software update but reset them multiple times in any possible ways. It was configuring because I tried once again to pair the speakers. Pairing was not successful.

This morning, NO MUSIC PLAYING IN REALITY:

my Mac Home App shows HomePod 1 "playing", no 2 "stopped"
my iPhone Home App shows HomePod 1 “not playing", no 2 "stopped"
my iPad Home app shows HomePod 1 “configuring“, now 2 "stopped"
no temperature or humidity readings available

This Home App is FUBAR, an incredible mess. And it is upgraded to the new architecture.

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Answer 6

cfacc Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 7, 2023 4:42 AM in response to bgmeek

Thanks very much - your information was very helpful and showed me the direction to go.

I did what you recommended, switched of the Private Wi-Fi Address, reset the HomePods, deleted them from my Apple ID account, rebooted WLAN, Mac and mobiles, deleted and recreated the home and installed from scratch.

For a couple of minutes I had the HomePods on the same network, I had temperature readings and could add timers and alarms. Then I tried to stereo-pair them and got the paired icon, but music came only from one speaker.

I reset the speakers, removed them from my Apple-ID and set them up again. From that point, I got the message that they were not in the same network anymore, pairing was not possible and one HomePod got stuck in the configuration loop.

I'm convinced now that this is a network issue and think about calling an ARUBA-technician to check my network setting.

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Answer 7

bgmeek

Level 4

1,249 points

Apr 6, 2023 4:47 PM in response to cfacc

I hear about this kind of issue and it's nearly always a network issue on home networks that are optimized for Internet streaming & security but not local peer-to-peer networking that your HomePods and Home devices require. Your reference to 'Aruba-Accesspoints' tells me you may have the sort of mesh configuration that gets confused by the iOS default behavior of using a "Private Wi-Fi Address" on every SSID. I hate that 'feature'.

On all of your iOS/iPadOS devices, for all members of the Home, turn OFF the Private Wi-Fi Address feature for your home network SSID and reboot everything including all of your Aruba-Accesspoints. Then set things up as designed.

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HomePods cannot be stereo-paired

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