How to set up your HomePod or HomePod mini with your Apple TV

By Lory Gil, Christopher Close
published

HomePod Apple TV Audio selection
HomePod Apple TV Audio selection (Image credit: iMore)
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The HomePod and HomePod mini are fantastic ways to elevate your binge-watching or movie night experiences when combined with the Apple TV. Whether using a single HomePod for all of your audio, pairing two HomePods together for bigger sound, or using a HomePod mini as a replacement for your TV speakers, setting it all up only takes a few clicks on the Siri Remote. Here's how to set up HomePod with Apple TV.

What you need

HomePod or HomePod mini must be set up with a compatible iPhone or iPad. Currently, you can't connect one directly to your Apple TV, so you'll first need to set up HomePod on your iPhone or iPad.

You'll also need a compatible Apple TV, the fourth-generation Apple TV, or the Apple TV 4K, and your HomePod or HomePod mini must also be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV.

How to set your HomePod or HomePod mini as your default speaker on Apple TV

If you're running iOS and tvOS 14.2 or later, you can set your HomePod or HomePod mini up as the default speaker for your Apple TV's audio. This method means that you won't have to remember to switch over to it on your next movie night.

  1. Open Settings on your Apple TV.
  2. Click Video and Audio.

How to set your HomePod as your default speaker on Apple TV 4K by showing steps: Open Settings, Click Video and Audio (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Audio Output.
  2. Select your HomePod with a click.

How to set your HomePod as your default speaker on Apple TV 4K by showing steps: Click Default Audio Output, Select your HomePod with a click (Image credit: iMore)

Alternatively, you can set your HomePod as your default speaker through the Home app on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

How to set up HomePod or HomePod mini with Apple TV via AirPlay

If you temporarily want to use your HomePod as an Apple TV speaker, you can do so via AirPlay. With this method, you can link your Apple TV content with multiple AirPlay 2 speakers, not just the HomePod, allowing you to create a makeshift surround system.

  1. Hold down the Home Button on the Siri Remote for around three seconds to bring up Control Center.
  2. Click the AirPlay icon.
  3. Select your HomePod or HomePod mini with a click.

How to set up HomePod or HomePod mini with Apple TV via AirPlay: Hold down the Home button on the Siri remote for 3 seconds, Click the AirPlay icon, Select your HomePod with a click (Image credit: iMore)

How to stop using AirPlay with your HomePod or HomePod mini

  1. Hold down the Home Button on the Siri Remote for around three seconds to bring up Control Center.
  2. Click the AirPlay icon.
  3. De-select your HomePod or HomePod mini with a click, then select your TV.

How to stop HomePod or HomePod mini with Apple TV via AirPlay: Hold down the Home button on the Siri remote for 3 seconds, Click the AirPlay icon, Select your TV speaker with a click (Image credit: iMore)

How to set up two HomePods for stereo sound

How to set your HomePod as your default speaker on Apple TV. Two HomePods with Stereo Pairing surrounding a TV.

How to set your HomePod as your default speaker on Apple TV. Two HomePods with Stereo Pairing surrounding a TV. (Image credit: Lory Gil / iMore)

Since iOS 11.4 for iOS and tvOS added support for AirPlay 2, you can pair two HomePods or HomePod minis to create a stereo experience with your Apple TV. Through Stereo Pairing, audio quality is significantly better than a single HomePod, but it only works with pairs of the same type of HomePod.

If you have a second HomePod and want to create stereo audio, it's just about as simple as plugging in your HomePod and waiting for technology to take its course! For more, check out our guide, how to create a stereo pair with your HomePods and AirPlay 2.

Your HomePod is the best soundbar for your Apple TV

As you can see, setting your HomePod as a speaker for your Apple TV is quite simple. Now with a stereo pair, or by using your HomePod as your Apple TV's default speaker, you can enjoy high fidelity sound without having to shell out for a dedicated home theater.

Updated December 2021: Updated to include HomePod mini stereo pairing and default audio.

Lory Gil
Lory Gil

Lory is a renaissance woman, writing news, reviews, and how-to guides for iMore. She also fancies herself a bit of a rock star in her town and spends too much time reading comic books.  If she's not typing away at her keyboard, you can probably find her at Disneyland or watching Star Wars (or both).

1 Comment
  • For a small room the dual HomePod Mini's are a solid choice. I replaced an older sound bar with them. Except bass the Minis are a better sound profile. Mini do gets high marks for sound to size ratio. However, it has two notable items to consider. If you have a larger TV room, IMHO the Minis just don't provide sufficient volume except if you want nighttime volume level. I haven't used the HomePod big but I suspect they'd fill a larger room much better. Bass is very good for its size but physics are in play. Something this small just can't deliver deep bass. On a wish list for Apple, I'd love if they put out the HomePod "Pro" that could be used as a center channel and provide more bass. Added note, a lot of only "Siri is trash" comments. That's a lie. I use Siri a lot. Siri is very functional. I control lights, TV, music selections and volume, reminders, ask about the weather, local restaurants and places. Works well. Now if you ask it the specs on a 72 Challenger versus Google voice? Google voice is probably going to help better. For the tiny fraction of people asking a VA these questions, Siri won't give as good of answers. For the 99% of the world that asks Siri the basics, it works well, full stop.