Set HomePod as default audio / Stream Directly to HomePod?

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Level 1

6 points

Set HomePod as default audio / Stream Directly to HomePod?

Is there a way to make a HomePod the "default" audio setting for an iPad 2 mini on the current iOS (12.0)?

Specifically, I'm using the current iHeart Radio app to stream radio, and I turn off the HomePod either by the HomePod's "power' touch switch or by stopping (not exiting) the app on the iPad. Every time I want to resume streaming, the audio defaults back to the iPad's internal speaker, and I have to manually reselect the HomePod as the audio output.

Alternatively, I've also used a Sonos One smart speaker, and I was able to stream iHeart directly to it with no iOS or other "source" device involved. I believe this was accomplished via settings in the "Sonos" iOS app and which functionality obviously supported by Sonos and probably iHeart as well. I've quickly checked Apple Support but haven't seen any indication that the HomePad can "stream directly" (or that Apple & iHeart allow this), but I easily could have missed related documentation.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

HomePod, iOS 12

Posted on Sep 28, 2018 7:54 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,137 points

Oct 8, 2018 2:42 PM in response to bshawcos

Use Feedback - HomePod - Apple to suggest to Apple that they allow a stream to be paused, whether from the HomePod or the sending device, without losing the connection to the HomePod for when the stream is resumed.

tt2

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Answer 2

bshawcos Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 8, 2018 2:45 PM in response to Michael Paine

Thanks - this confirms what I knew I should have researched before purchasing. I knew there were frustrations, but I didn't bother and just hoped Apple would have addressed such basic functionality now. Live and learn. I also agree about making the suggestion to Apple and will do so, but I won't be holding my breath...

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Answer 3

YatBob

Level 1

9 points

Oct 8, 2018 8:01 AM in response to bshawcos

I don't know the answer but sure wish someone did, I also have the same situation and can't believe that there is no way to make the HomePod the default audio play choice

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Answer 4

Oct 8, 2018 2:42 PM in response to bshawcos

This has been an issue since the Homepod was released. The only configuration that seems to keep (stereo) Homepods as default audio is iTunes running on a Mac. My AppleTV almost always needs to have the audio output settings changed back to the Homepods each time I wake it (it defaults to the HMDI output even though that device is turned off). And my iOS devices don't remember that they last played to the

Homepods.

i suppose there might be an iOS app that gives better control of the default audio output but I have not come across any.

I agree with the suggestion to give feedback to Apple.

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Set HomePod as default audio / Stream Directly to HomePod?

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