AirPlay 2 Features Removed From iOS 11.3 and tvOS 11.3

[MacRumors]

Early AirPlay 2 functionality, which was present in initial iOS 11.3 and tvOS 11.3 betas, has been removed from the third beta that was provided to developers this morning.

With the first betas of iOS 11.3 and tvOS 11.3, when you installed these updates on an iOS device and two or more fourth or fifth-generation Apple TVs, AirPlay 2 could be used to stream music to multiple devices at the same time.

As an example, with two Apple TVs running tvOS 11.3 set up in different rooms of the house, you could use an iPhone to play the same song on both through AirPlay 2's multi-room audio feature.

Installing tvOS 11.3 also added the Apple TV to your HomeKit setup, with the Apple TV present in the Home app.

As noted by iDownloadBlog, all of these features are now missing in iOS 11.3 and tvOS 11.3 beta 3. There are no options to play audio to multiple sources and the Apple TV has been removed from the Home app.

The AirPlay 2 feature was buggy and not fully functional, which may be why it's been removed. It is not clear at this time if Apple plans to re-introduce the AirPlay 2 functionality in later iOS 11.3 and tvOS 11.3 betas.

AirPlay 2 was first announced as part of iOS 11 in June, but it did not show up in the launch version of the new operating system. When officially released, AirPlay 2 will allow HomePod, Apple TV, and supported third-party speakers to work together.

Once AirPlay 2-compatible products are widely available, you will be able to use AirPlay 2 to control all of the different speakers and devices throughout your home, for a full multi-room audio experience.

This kind of multi-room audio support was a main feature advertised for the HomePod, but Apple opted to ship the speaker without it.

Article Link: AirPlay 2 Features Removed From iOS 11.3 and tvOS 11.3

 

[scottlitch]

I'm anxiously awaiting AirPlay 2. I want them to get it right, but I'm hoping its not going to take much longer.

 

[PastaPrimav]

Good chance this is now pushed to iOS 12. What a shame.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

As a Sonos user I want this...

 

[Ted13]

I really hope when they do release AirPlay 2 it is also compatible with multiple AirPort Express device, which the current AirPlay is from the Mac, and it would be very useful from iOS devices as well.

 

[Narcaz]

Maybe they iclude Bluetooth 5 features like Dual Audio in a future update. To be able to connect two speakers or headphones would be a big reason to upgrade some of my devices.

 

[macfacts]

I guess being in control of both the hardware and software adds no benefit if Apple is having so many delays and problems with these new features.

 

[scottlitch]

As a Sonos user I want this...

As a Bose Lifestyle and SoundTouch owner I want this.

 

[bbeagle]

Good chance this is now pushed to iOS 12. What a shame.

I don't think so.

It was just really buggy, so instead of constantly getting thousands of unnecessary bug reports and questions about it, Apple simply removed it temporarily. They'll put it back when it's more stable and meaningful for developers.

 

[PlutoPrime]

Apple is starting to buckle under the pressure of meeting software quality objectives.

This is turning them into another company that paper-launches products or launches them with great delay that when they're finally done/released there is no excitement left for the achievement.

 

[b11051973]

I bought a HomePod for my office. I will buy at least one more once Airplay 2 gets released.

 

[sidewinder3000]

C’mon AirPlay 2, you can do it! I believe in you.

 

[happygodavid]

I'm more hopeful that Airplay 2 improve its streaming quality from iOS/macOS to ATV than for multi-room audio (not that that's not a great feature). Airplay to ATV has alway been sketchy for me (I've got everything hard wired).

 

[LogicalVue]

Considering they had already said AirPlay 2 was "later this year" in the HomePod announcements, I doubt it was ever intended to ship with iOS 11.3. It was added there for testing purposes and now that iOS 11.3 is probably getting close to releasing (March is just around the corner), it was removed. I bet it will be back in iOS 11.4 if they continue down that path or it will now wait for the iOS 12 beta that should be expected in June.

 

[thadoggfather]

Remove the AirPlay 2 clutter.

NO NEW FUNCTIONALITY FOR YOU

 

[Slix]

At this point, I kind of just hope iOS 11 and High Sierra last another year, instead of leaving bugs behind and features behind that were announced almost a year ago.

One can wish.

 

[eoblaed]

Considering they haven't released firmware for the HomePod or AppleTV to support AirPlay 2 yet, this makes sense. They were probably getting inundated with calls/emails from people confused as to why their HomePods weren't going into stereo mode since the phone made it look like you could do it.

 

[Mike MA]

I hope with the introduction of AirPlay 2 the poor volume of a HomePod connected to an Apple TV will improve. Yet I have my doubts.

 

[bgro]

As a Sonos owner I want Spotify. And I shall have it once I cancel my AM subscription. Just tired of waiting on Apple. Always waiting for something. Used to be worth the wait. Not anymore, not even close.

 

[Mr. Donahue]

Air play doesn’t even work with my Apple 4K TV. Apples products promise all these features and they don’t deliver. I’m still waiting for Continuity to actually work consistently for once.

 

[mookc1]

As a Sonos user I want this...

Me too! But I'm getting used to the delay....

 

[Solver]

Can’t wait for iOS 11.4!
/s

 

[Mlrollin91]

Can’t wait for iOS 11.4!

There wont be an 11.4.

 

[PaulRustad007]

I guess everything now is always just one update away.......

 

[Raymon18]

I'm more hopeful that Airplay 2 improve its streaming quality from iOS/macOS to ATV than for multi-room audio (not that that's not a great feature). Airplay to ATV has alway been sketchy for me (I've got everything hard wired).

I've also hard wired the Apple TV to the network and experienced lag. After disabling Bluetooth, everything was working fine and the lag was gone. Seems like Apple is preferring bluetooth connections for AirPlay, which I completely don't understand. AirPlay should always use the local network when it's available.