Set HomePod mini as default speaker instead of built-in

Pretty much, yes. macOS doesn’t have the same permanent HomePod default setting that Apple TV does.

You can select the HomePod mini from Control Center > Sound whenever needed, but the Mac may switch back after a restart, sleep, or an AirPlay disconnect. A wired or USB speaker is more reliable if you need a permanent default output.

It depends on which device keeps switching back to its built-in speakers.

With an Apple TV 4K, you can make the HomePod mini permanent: go to Settings > Video and Audio > Audio Output, then select the HomePod mini under Default Audio Output. The Apple TV and HomePod need to be assigned to the same room in the Home app.

On a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, the HomePod mini is selected through AirPlay, but there isn’t a setting that permanently replaces the built-in speaker for all audio.

Which device are you playing the audio from?

You are not out of luck, you just need to re select the HomePod as audio via settings >sound if the Mac forgets them. But if you want to have the output automatically to the HomePod, it seems like that you're out of luck

Default speaker for what? An Apple TV or other device?

It can be set as default audio on an Apple TV 4K Set up home theater audio with HomePod or HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K - Apple Support

Thanks for confirming. That matches the limitation here - HomePods work as an AirPlay output on a Mac, but macOS doesn’t treat them like a permanent default speaker.

He was specific that he is using the minis as the default audio for his Mac.

"You are telling me that once a day, I have to connect the sound back to my Apple HomePod back to my Mac?"

I also use minis as the audio for my Mac Studio. I used them previously for my M1 Mac mini. I experienced the same random disconnects. Things have improved with macOS 27, but they still disconnect when the Mac is restarted or sleeps. This appears to be an issue with Macs and HomePods.

This does not happen with my 3rd Gen TV and my OG HomePods which provide the default audio for the TV.

If you have the Sound displayed in the Menubar, you don't have to spend time opening System Settings to reselect the HomePods.

That's overkill in my experience. I use the Audio dropdown menu in the menubar and rechoose the minis.

I show this in a screenshot in my comment above.

Apple isn’t listening here, you can let them know more directly here ——->Feedback - macOS - Apple

Yes, this is my experience as well, using a stereo pair of HomePod minis as the audio output for my M1 Mac mini.

Not only does it revert to the internal speaker after sleep or a restart, but it also happens randomly even while they are being used. There is no rhyme or reason. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Okay, two-time Microsoft employee here, trying to use a MAC Studio in retirement, for fun. Windows laptop user for years (and DOS before), with an Amazon Echo Studio connected as the default speaker (via Bluetooth) for as long as the Echo has been out. You are telling me that once a day, I have to connect the sound back to my Apple HomePod back to my Mac? This seems like a big disconnect between two top line Apple products?

There is no way to do this? Should I connect the Amazon Echo and sell the HomePod?

Thanks, that was what I thought. Pretty disappointing for two top end Apple products to not work together. My frustration is showing over years of everyone telling me how great MACs are only to find inter-brand integration lacking at a basic level. For real sound I have an audio system in my office, it just would be nice for the occasional video and such to have decent sound. Pretty please Apple, if you are listening here.

Thanks again!

P.S., I also have 3 Apple TV boxes show I know they work great, even with another brand, Sonos.

-John

El Chavo wrote:

That's overkill in my experience. I use the Audio dropdown menu in the menubar and rechoose the minis.

I show this in a screenshot in my comment above.

I use the control center as well.

I was replying to the opening post which didn’t indicate that.

They tend not to stick on a Mac. When I have issues with them I restart them from the Home App on the Mac.