Apple TV not playing simultaneously anymore on AV Receiver and Homepod mini

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Level 1

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Apple TV not playing simultaneously anymore on AV Receiver and Homepod mini

Hi,

I installed an Apple TV and a Homepod mini in my new place about 1 month ago. My default audio device for the Apple TV is my AV Receiver, and I sometimes wanna add my Homepod mini via Airplay to listen simultaneously on my living room speakers, and my Homepod in the Kitchen. This worked without issues from the start.

After doing Updates a week ago, this doesn't seem to be possible anymore. The audio always switches to only one of the devices, Apple TV or Homedpod, although I seem to be able to simultaneously play music over my Homepod mini and a Sonos Roam.

Are those issues related to the new updates ? My Homepod mini was on a pretty old firmware before I updated it.

Thx

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 26

Posted on Nov 8, 2025 2:19 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Urquhart1244

Level 10

146,184 points

Nov 8, 2025 3:06 AM in response to qwertz_lux

Audio from sources on the Apple TV box should be able to play on multiple speaker systems in your home. Those additional speakers can be selected in Control Center on the Apple TV box. That will use the home network for AirPlay, or else Bluetooth. Wireless AirPlay speakers require that all devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, using the exact same SSID network name. Please verify the network specs for the devices involved. Bluetooth speakers should be in (close) range per Bluetooth specs.

However if you AirPlay (e.g. from an iPhone, or iPad, or Mac) to an Apple TV box, then only the default speakers get used. Could that be it?

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Answer 2

Dec 6, 2025 11:19 AM in response to Urquhart1244

No, I see the same behaviour. As soon as you add an AirPlay device in the control center as audio output, the audio on the tv will stop and all audio output is to the AirPlay device. The normal behaviour was that if output to tv and AirPlay devices were both selected that both devices would output sound. This no longer works and this is a bug in Apple TV OS.

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Answer 3

Dec 6, 2025 12:07 PM in response to Urquhart1244

No, I see the same behaviour. As soon as you add an AirPlay device in the control center as audio output, the audio on the tv will stop and all audio output is to the AirPlay device. The normal behaviour was that if output to tv and AirPlay devices were both selected that both devices would output sound. However this differs between apps. Flex app seems to work but it no longer works with the Spotify app. The Apple TV is still the device to stream the audio as seen from other devices but there is no longer output to tv (hdmi) even if it is selected next to the airplay device. This can also be a Spotify app issue.

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