HomePod HomePod mini supports Dolby Atmos with iOS 18 (confirmed, NOT a bug)

[wmy5]

I just updated my iPhone to iOS 18. My HomePod mini is also updated to software 18.0. It appears that not only HomePod mini supports Dolby Atmos, but it can also support Dolby Atmos via AirPlay 2. See the screenshots below. Note the Dolby Atmos logo below the slider. As a comparison, when selecting a non-Apple device such as Sonos Roam 2, the Dolby Atmos logo disappears.

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One may question whether this is merely a logo bug or HomePod mini actually plays music in Dolby Atmos format. I found a way to confirm that Dolby Atmos is indeed supported now.

Dolby Labs has some demo tracks available on Apple Music. For example,

One interesting feature of these tracks is that the base non-Atmos version contains different content from the Atmos version. You can try playing the track No. 5 in this album, "Object based Channel ID" with Atmos disabled. In the non-Atmos version there is a female voice saying "to get a full Dolby Atmos experience, please make sure your device is enabled Dolby Atmos". The actual content only plays when the device supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Atmos is enabled.

With iOS 18.0 and HomePod software 18.0, I confirmed that when playing these demo track on HomePod mini, either directly or via AirPlay, Dolby Atmos is indeed supported, and the Dolby Atmos content is playing.

 

[C0re0]

Hi,

according to the Apple website, Homepod mini does not support 3D audio/spatial audio and therefore no Dolby Atmos.
How would that be possible with only 1 full-range driver and 2 passive radiators?

Set up home theater audio with HomePod or HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K​

Use a HomePod, HomePod mini, or a stereo pair with your Apple TV 4K to create a theater experience with Dolby Atmos or surround sound right in your home.

Here's what you need​

• Apple TV 4K running the latest software.
• One HomePod or HomePod mini running the latest software. You can also use a stereo pair of two HomePod or two HomePod mini speakers. Other AirPlay-compatible speakers are not supported with home theater audio.

HomePod mini doesn't support Dolby Atmos 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound.

HomePod mini

HomePod mini. A smart speaker with room-filling sound. An intelligent assistant that helps you control your smart home. 100% private and secure.

www.apple.com

With IOS 18, you can now Airplay 3D audio to Homepods yes, but I think the Homepod mini cannot handle it and still outputs stereo. But maybe I m wrong...

Kind regards

 

[wmy5]

HomePod mini does not support 3D audio/spatial audio and therefore no Dolby Atmos.
How would that be possible with only 1 full-range driver and 2 passive radiators?

I believe Dolby Atmos support is a software feature. The number of drivers is irrelevant. The built-in speakers in iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and iMac all support Dolby Atmos playback.

 

[perezr10]

It could be a bug in 18. Maybe it shouldn’t be displaying atmos but it does erroneously.

 

[wmy5]

It could be a bug in 18. Maybe it shouldn’t be displaying atmos but it does erroneously.

It is not a bug. I confirmed that HomePod mini is indeed playing in Dolby Atmos format. See my updated post.

 

[AustinIllini]

I believe Dolby Atmos support is a software feature. The number of drivers is irrelevant. The built-in speakers in iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and iMac all support Dolby Atmos playback.

Yeah, but it's not really anything close to Atmos. You can't simulate the channels on a HomePod

 

[alucard8679]

The HomePod Mini does not support Dolby Atmos; what appears as Dolby Atmos in Apple Music is actually stereo sound mixed down after being processed on ur phone. Any USB sound card can output Dolby Atmos music though. To test if the HomePod Mini supports Dolby Atmos, connect it to an Apple TV 4K with EARC mode, select the Dolby Atmos output, and the ATV4K will clearly indicate, "HomePod Mini does not support Dolby Atmos." (untill TVOS18)This option is only available in HomePod mode and is quite straightforward.