Sunday, September 22, 2024
Daily Tips

How to set up a HomePod mini stereo pair on a Mac

Apple has released new firmware for the HomePod mini and the HomePod. 

As mentioned in my review of the 16-inch MacBook Pro, I’ve set up two HomePod minis as a stereo pair to use with the laptop. 

You can pair two HomePod minis in the same room to create left and right channels for an immersive soundstage. You can create a stereo pair when you set up HomePod in the same room as another one, or later in the Home app. 

Note that when two HomePod speakers are set up as a stereo pair, only one responds to Siri requests, plays alarms, and acts as a speakerphone.

To create a stereo pair, both HomePod speakers need to be assigned to the same room.

  1. In the Home app on your iOS or iPadOS device, touch and hold a HomePod.
  2. Scroll down, then tap System Preferences.
  3. Tap Create Stereo Pair and follow the onscreen instructions.

View details about each paired speaker

  1. In the Home app on your iOS or iPadOS device, touch and hold the HomePod pair.
  2. Scroll down, then tap System Preferences .
  3. Tap Speakers, then touch and hold a speaker.

Switch left and right channel assignments

  1. In the Home app on your iOS or iPadOS device, touch and hold the HomePod pair.
  2. Scroll down, then tap System Preferences.
  3. Tap Audio Settings, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Once you’ve set up the stereo pair on your iPhone or iPad, go on your Mac, click the sound icon in the menu bar, and select your paired HomePods. (My paired speakers are dubbed “Office” as in the graphic).

Or you can launch System Preferences, click the Sound pane, and select your HomePods in the ‌AirPlay‌ section of the devices list.

Unlink a stereo pair:

  1. In the Home app on your iOS or iPadOS device, touch and hold the HomePod pair.
  2. Scroll down, then tap System Preferences.
  3. Tap Ungroup Accessories.
Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.

1 Comment

  • One more point to make. Each time you restart the Mac you’ll need to reselect your HomePod Mini(s) as your output device. The OS shifts back to the internal speakers on a restart.

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