HomePod HomePod - Playing Music While Away

[JWreck]

Finally bought a HomePod this weekend, which replaced my Echo Dot in the main living room.

It would seem that, unless I’m missing something, the HomePod will not play music from my Apple Music subscription natively - it seems to need an iOS device nearby to AirPlay the music?

What am I missing? Is this really the case? I’m returning it if so. Even the crappy $50 (or free, which is what it was to me) Echo Dot will allow me to play music when I’m away (Drowns outside noise out for the dog while we are away).

I must be missing something.
[doublepost=1559090902][/doublepost]To be clear, on my Echo Dot I had scene that when I said “Alexa, I’m leaving” it would turn off the lights and play classical music from Apple Music (now that Apple allows the cross platform connectivity).

It seems nearly impossible to do something so simple with the HomePod.

 

[StumpyBloke]

It most certainly does NOT need an iOS device nearby. You have done something wrong

What happens if you say “hey Siri play .....whatever artist/song”? Your HomePod should answer the call and play. You have set it up haven’t you? You’ve not given us much to go on.

 

[JWreck]

It most certainly does NOT need an iOS device nearby. You have done something wrong

What happens if you say “hey Siri play .....whatever artist/song”? Your HomePod should answer the call and play. You have set it up haven’t you? You’ve not given us much to go on.

Fair question. I don’t believe I have told it to directly play something, only utilizing the shortcut I created, which I’ve included a screenshot of. I just told the HomePod to shuffle my songs and it seemed to play from the HomePod device itself.

So the question is why is the shortcut still requiring the iPhone to airplay it?

 

[StumpyBloke]

Because you’re running it on the phone I guess. But never mind that, back to basics first I would advise, ask it to play and see if it works?

Edit: I don’t think HomePod supports autonomous Siri suggestions.

 

[JWreck]

Because you’re running it on the phone I guess. But never mind that, back to basics first I would advise, ask it to play and see if it works?

Edit: I don’t think HomePod supports autonomous Siri suggestions.

I understand the shortcut runs on whatever device responds. I’ve tested it and the HomePod states she will run my shortcut, the actions commence, but my iPhone is playing the music and streaming it via AirPlay to the HomePod, rather than the HomePod playing it natively like when I ask it to play music directly without a shortcut.

 

[JonLa]

Simple test

Shut down your phone so it's completely off, then say "hey Siri, play me some Beatles (or whatever)". If she starts playing then she's working and accessing Apple Music. Keep trying with different bands, and try "hey Siri, play me some classical music" or "something mellow". If you have different Apple Music playlists try "Hey Siri, play my X playlist"

If all that works then the next step is to look at your scene setup, but that will require greater minds than mine...

 

[StumpyBloke]

Simple test

Shut down your phone so it's completely off, then say "hey Siri, play me some Beatles (or whatever)". If she starts playing then she's working and accessing Apple Music. Keep trying with different bands, and try "hey Siri, play me some classical music" or "something mellow". If you have different Apple Music playlists try "Hey Siri, play my X playlist"

If all that works then the next step is to look at your scene setup, but that will require greater minds than mine...

He’s already confirmed it works locally

 

[JonLa]

Hmm I was answering this question, rather than the wider question about his playlist/Scene:

"It would seem that, unless I’m missing something, the HomePod will not play music from my Apple Music subscription natively - it seems to need an iOS device nearby to AirPlay the music?"

 

[JohnR]

Fair question. I don’t believe I have told it to directly play something, only utilizing the shortcut I created, which I’ve included a screenshot of. I just told the HomePod to shuffle my songs and it seemed to play from the HomePod device itself.

So the question is why is the shortcut still requiring the iPhone to airplay it?

I think it's the Home app that's causing the issue. Mine right now says "Living Room not responding" and under details, nothing. Yet I have music playing through my HomePods. My garage door opener says it's opening...it's not, it's shut. I tried setting up an automation and it doesn't see my HomePods.

We do the same thing (play music for our dogs so they don't bark as much) and when i am ready to leave, I just say "Hey Siri, play _________" usually some genre because if I mention a specific artist, it'll play and stop when it runs out of music. Works just fine for me.

 

[JWreck]

Resurrecting this. I thought I’d read somewhere that iOS 13 enabled native playback through shortcuts on HomePod. I’m still struggling with this very simple request to play music from my Apple Music library directly from the HomePod (not using AirPlay from another iOS device nearby).

It still works by saying “play music” but if using a shortcut, it wants to airplay it.

I am so disappointed.

 

[Itinj24]

Resurrecting this. I thought I’d read somewhere that iOS 13 enabled native playback through shortcuts on HomePod. I’m still struggling with this very simple request to play music from my Apple Music library directly from the HomePod (not using AirPlay from another iOS device nearby).

It still works by saying “play music” but if using a shortcut, it wants to airplay it.

I am so disappointed.

Did you try setting up a scene or automation in the home app and just run the scene when you leave? HomePod now supports audio playback and pause in the Home app using scenes and automations.

 

[MD0600]

I have this question as well. Just purchased 2 HomePods and created a shortcut to turn the lights off, open the garage and play music when I say "Goodbye" it plays music but like the original poster it is playing off the iPhone. I'm assuming when I leave it stops playing. Has anyone been able to get this to work?

(I too leave music on for the dog)

 

[Plett]

I would use automation for this task. Set for when someone leaves, shouldn't rely on the Phone that way.

 

[cynics]

Resurrecting this. I thought I’d read somewhere that iOS 13 enabled native playback through shortcuts on HomePod. I’m still struggling with this very simple request to play music from my Apple Music library directly from the HomePod (not using AirPlay from another iOS device nearby).

It still works by saying “play music” but if using a shortcut, it wants to airplay it.

I am so disappointed.

It works fine, I think your input is incorrect to your output results are unexpected (to you). You need to control the HomePod via the Home app so its native operation.

New shortcut > + > Apps > Home > Control My Home. Tap Scenes and Accessories on new shortcut > HomePod > Next > Play / Media > Play Audio > Choose Audio.

Hope this helps.