Apple's new HomePod mini 2 speakers, intended to serve as default Mac speakers via a persistent AirPlay connection, are experiencing significant functionality issues shortly after launch. Users report that the feature, introduced with HomePod Software 27.2 and requiring macOS 27.2 and Wi-Fi 6E, often fails to enable or drops connection after sleep or restarts.
The problems manifest in two ways: some users find the persistent connection option never appears despite meeting hardware requirements, while others experience the Mac reverting to built-in or monitor speakers shortly after use. The Verge's Jennifer Pattison Tuohy encountered the first issue on a Mac mini M4, describing the feature as "unfinished." On forums, users like DanJoeWhitaker and Nismo73 detail how stereo pairs revert to Studio Display speakers or trigger error messages. At least two forum members have returned their units.
A Redditor's log analysis suggests a potential cause involving 6GHz network interference, with moving speakers to 5GHz restoring functionality for some. However, Apple Support has reportedly offered no fix, characterizing the issue as an early teething bug. With multiple users returning the speakers and no official resolution yet, the viability of the Mac speaker feature remains uncertain.
Source: MacRumors · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing