How to replace your Mac's speakers with a HomePod stereo pair
Compatible HomePods can now handle Mac system sounds through a persistent AirPlay connection designed to reduce delays. Here's how to set one or a pair as your Mac's default speakers, and how well it works. MacBook Air with HomePod mini speakers Mac owners have long streamed music to HomePods, but traditional AirPlay's delay makes it less practical for games, video calls, and other apps. Apple's…
Apple has introduced a new feature that allows Mac users to replace their speakers with a pair of HomePods, offering a responsive, persistent AirPlay connection. This update, available with macOS 27.2 and HomePod software 27.2, aims to make HomePods useful for everyday Mac audio, including system sounds, games, and video calls.
To set up the HomePod as your Mac's default speakers, ensure both your Mac and HomePod support Wi-Fi 6E or newer. The feature is currently available for the original HomePod, first-generation HomePod mini, and compatible Wi-Fi 6E Macs introduced in 2023 or later.
First, configure your HomePod as a stereo pair through the Apple Home app, with both HomePods being the same model. Then, select the HomePod as an audio output device in macOS System Settings. System alerts should play through the HomePod on a supported configuration, although music may still play through the Mac's built-in speakers.
While this feature is a useful alternative to separate desktop speakers, it may not be ideal for privacy-sensitive situations, such as FaceTime calls, as other people can hear your notifications and meeting audio. Wired speakers may offer more consistent audio timing, and traditional AirPlay may still be preferable for music listening.
Written by urgent.news from AppleInsider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
