HomePod HomePod priority question about Apple TV and Music.

[anthony13]

So I have a HomePod set as the default output for my Apple TV. That functionality works great and as expected. The HomePod sits on my desk with in arms length, so I often just tap the top to increase/decrease volume and to pause playback of whatever I'm watching. This works most of the time, however, sometimes, the act of touching the top of the HomePod starts Apple Music and pauses the tv. The only way to 'clear' the que of any Apple Music, seems to be to literally unplug the HomePod and plug it back in. Anyone know of an easier way to stop it from playing Apple Music sometimes?

 

[Itinj24]

Use Siri to change the volume. You can also do it using the physical volume buttons on the iPhone when the Remote app is open. Also, on your Lock Screen, while playing content on the AppleTV, there should be a platter with a volume slider. If you have an Apple Watch, that’s another option using the crown while the remote app is open.

 

[malcky77]

@anthony13 I personally do not use any of my HomePods for Apple TV stuff, but that does sound a bit strange.
And seeing as you said your only arms reach away from the HomePod...using Siri, phone or watch would be slower than actually reaching out to touch the volume....so for me, if this is happening every time you're watching TV then I would simply use the actual Apple TV remote control for doing anything related to watching stuff on the Apple TV........unless of course someone actually posts a fix for this issue/bug.

 

[Itinj24]

@anthony13 I personally do not use any of my HomePods for Apple TV stuff, but that does sound a bit strange.
And seeing as you said your only arms reach away from the HomePod...using Siri, phone or watch would be slower than actually reaching out to touch the volume....so for me, if this is happening every time you're watching TV then I would simply use the actual Apple TV remote control for doing anything related to watching stuff on the Apple TV........unless of course someone actually posts a fix for this issue/bug.

I think the OP is hitting the center of the HomePod screen and not the volume buttons which is starting the music. That’s my take on it.

 

[anthony13]

I think the OP is hitting the center of the HomePod screen and not the volume buttons which is starting the music. That’s my take on it.

Nope, I understand how it should work. Further more, typically, hitting the center of the HomePod while Apple TV is playing DOES just pause the program (which is awesome). But again, just like the volume issue, occasionally, touching the middle doesn’t pause the Apple TV, it instead just starts whatever music was being played last on HomePod.

 

[Itinj24]

Nope, I understand how it should work. Further more, typically, hitting the center of the HomePod while Apple TV is playing DOES just pause the program (which is awesome). But again, just like the volume issue, occasionally, touching the middle doesn’t pause the Apple TV, it instead just starts whatever music was being played last on HomePod.

Gotchya. I’ll play around with mine when I get home and report my findings. I have all my HomePods set up as default audio for my ATVs.

 

[Five_Oh]

I have experienced this issue also. Fortunately (or unfortunately?) it hasn't happened enough for me to troubleshoot what exactly is going on. Let me know if you figure it out.

 

[anthony13]

There's multiple ways to get a HomePod to do something. Playing to it directly from a phone. Asking Siri to play something. Making it the default for an Apple TV. it seems that, once you ask siri to play something, a sort of placeholder with that request is put in place. its as though that request remains in the queue until it is finished. so if I ask siri to play a song, and then pause that song and move on with my day, watching Apple TV, the physical controls of the HomePod remain tied to that siri request.

 

[malcky77]

@anthony13 When you say...pause song..is that by tapping the HomePod? Which I guess then makes sense that it would resume later in the day when pressed again? (there is kind of a logic there). lol.

So, I wonder if you asked Siri to "stop music" when you know you're done for the day (instead to tapping).....and then later in the day when you play Apple TV stuff if it still has this "queue/memory" of what was played earlier in the day? (my logic would hope that by telling Siri to "stop music" would clear the queue/memory???? who knows, however if that does fix it......you would just need to train yourself to tell Siri to "stop music" instead of instinctively reaching over to tap the top. lol