With the right configuration, you can even enjoy Dolby Atmos support through the speakers. Let’s walk you through how to pair a HomePod to Apple TV.
Why Should You Pair a HomePod to Apple TV?
While you could pair your Apple TV with other detached speakers, such as Bluetooth, there is a distinct advantage to using a HomePod instead. Other speakers may support AirPlay 2 for latency-free audio, but Apple TV will only offer a true home theater sound experience using HomePod speakers. When you set your HomePod as the default audio output, this also allows all the sounds from your Apple TV, whether they’re navigation clicks or audio from games, to go straight to your HomePod speakers. No more navigating menus to change the audio output.
Setting Your HomePod as Default Audio on Apple TV
If you have a single HomePod or HomePod mini you want to use for your Apple TV audio, the process is simple.
Assign Your Devices to the Same Room
First, make sure your HomePod and Apple TV are assigned to the same room in the Home app. To do this:
Pair Your HomePod to an Apple TV
Once you’ve made sure all devices are assigned to the same room, you can pair your HomePod to your Apple TV. If you reboot Apple TV, it may offer to pair the smart speaker for you. If not, don’t worry. There’s a manual way to do it:
Using Your iPhone or iPad to Pair a HomePod to an Apple TV
If you want to use your iPhone or iPad to pair your HomePod to an Apple TV: This will get a single HomePod or HomePod mini configured as your speaker for Apple TV. If you have two smart speakers, there’s even more you can do.
Create a Stereo Pair for Surround Sound
Two HomePod or HomePod mini speakers can pair together for even richer, more immersive sound. In fact, if you have a pair of the original, larger HomePod speakers, you’ll even get Dolby Atmos support. HomePod mini, unfortunately, doesn’t support Dolby Atmos. First, you’ll create the stereo pair: Now you can set the Stereo Pair as your default audio in Apple TV, as shown above.
Using HomePod with ARC TVs
If your television supports Audio Return Channel, also known as ARC or eARC, you can configure your HomePod speakers to play all audio from the TV and its inputs through them. That’s all there is to it. As long as you’ve used an HDMI port and cable that supports the ARC standard, all of your television’s audio will route to the HomePod speaker or speakers.
Make the Most of Your Home Entertainment Devices
There’s plenty more you can do with HomePod speakers and your Apple TV. Whether it’s controlling the power and volume of your TV or pairing a Bluetooth keyboard for easier typing, you’ll find the latest Apple TV very capable. Don’t forget to check out our other tips and tricks for using the Apple TV, either. Comment Name * Email *
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