I've followed Apple's instructions exactly (multiple times). Performed a hardware reset on both HomePods, tried again (and again). The HomePods appear as a stereo pair in the Home application on my iPhone, but don't operate as a stereo pair (only one outputs sound). Has anyone else experienced a similar issue and, if so, how did you resolve it?
Hi, I thought I’d add my experience because it may help someone. I just got two HomePods and wanted to make a stereo pair. I couldn’t get it to work after trying several times. Then I realized that I have a router that I might need to reboot since I added these two new devices to my network. Immediately after doing that my HomePods showed up and they started working great.
Hope that helps someone. If you have your wifi network set up through a router, try rebooting it.
Try using the Remote control for HomePod, not using AirPlay method to initiate playback. There is a second route to that second screenshot via Control Center, long press on the music control, then choose HomePod, then what to play.
tt2
turingtest2,
I just listened to my first track of music in glorious HomePod Stereo Paired sound by using your suggested "Remote control for HomePod, not using AirPlay" and it worked! "Hey Siri" is also working as well.
Before following your recommendation I reset (again) the HomePods and set them up without using the "Home" app; just by placing my iPhone in proximity with each HomePod.
Thank you very much and enjoy the music!
If your issue is with an iPhone/iPad try the tips above. Otherwise there are other threads dealing with troubleshooting Airplay2 and stereo Homepods.
If you issue is with a Mac the Mac sound system (sound preferences) is not able to output to stereo Homepods. It only works via the latest iTunes (the output icon at top left, next to the volume slider). I expect that If you are using Siri on a Mac it also cannot use stereo Homepods - you need to manually play music from the iTunes app.
One slight benefit is that Siri on the Homepod is able to control iTunes on the Mac with basic commands like “pause” and “next track”.
See Set up and use HomePod - Apple Support. Make sure that you meet all the prerequisites in the Get started section. See Reset HomePod - Apple Support to start the set up from scratch.
tt2
You're welcome. 🙂
tt2
I just set up a stereo pair and it appears as surh on the Home ap but only 1 plays with hey Siri. The other plays an entirely different track if I turn it on manually
Michael,
Thanks for your response. I made sure both HomePods are running the same build of iOS 11.4, have reset them through software and hardware methods, reinstalled the "Home" application, reset my iPhone - and everything appears to go successfully from a setup perspective (in the sense that what I see tracks perfectly with Apple's documentation), but Stereo Pairing simply doesn't work. I wish it were otherwise. If you, or anyone else, have any recommendations I will gladly try them.
turingtest2,
Thanks and nice username. It is nearly always - but not always - the HomePod on the left that outputs sound after pairing. I'm using "Hey Siri" and Apple Music. This one has me stymied, unfortunately. I seem to be an outlier. I've even checked the build level of iOS 11.4 applied to each and they are identical. In addition to using my iPhone for setup I tried my iPad as well. Everything goes the way it's supposed to during setup, and then doesn't work. Right now I'm stymied, unfortunately. If you have any suggestions I'm more than open to them.
Is it always the same one that makes sound? Are you using "Hey Siri" with the HomePods to start playback or something else? Do you have Apple Music?
tt2
Same Problem, Apple hold for 20 minutes then hung up
Update, went on hold for another 20, not sure what the service recommended suggested, but got in going in good ol stereo.
My HomePod is not showing on my phone or home accessory app, I have followed all the set up instructions, no joy. Is my HomePod software not up to date?
The latest High Sierra (just released) is supposed to support Airplay 2 and, I hope, stereo Homepods. It will be a few days before I can try it.
iTunes 12.8 supports stereo pairs properly. They still show as two individual speakers in the Mac audio output control in the new High Sierra update.
tt2
HomePod Stereo Pairing Not Working
