The Apple TV 4K (second- and third-generation) is capable of relaying audio from a compatible TV to a HomePod – even when you're not using your ‌Apple TV‌. This allows you to stream audio from a TV-connected game console or other set-top box straight to Apple's smart speakers. Keep reading to learn more and how to set it up.

PS5 AppleTV and HomePod Feature
The second- and third-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K supports two additional connection standards, called ARC and eARC. ARC (Audio Return Channel) is a feature of HDMI 1.4 that enables audio from a device to be sent to a compatible TV and relayed through its HDMI port to a separate audio receiver, speaker, or sound bar. eARC (enhanced ARC) meanwhile adds support for the passthrough of higher bandwidth audio like Dolby Atmos, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound.

For ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, ARC and eARC support effectively allows a ‌HomePod‌ or HomePod mini (or stereo-paired Homepods in a Home Theater Audio setup) to play audio from other TV-connected devices like a cable box, PS5, or Xbox Series X. The following steps show you how to get it set up.

Make sure that your TV supports ARC or eARC. You can check if it does by seeing if there's an ARC label next to your HDMI port, or try contacting the TV manufacturer.

  1. On your ‌Apple TV‌, launch the Settings app.
  2. Select Video and Audio.
  3. Select Default Audio Output. (Under "Default Audio Output," make sure ‌HomePod‌ is selected.)
  4. Under "Audio Return Channel (Beta)," select Play Television Audio. You'll know ARC or eARC is turned on when it says On (ARC) or On (eARC).

tvos14 settings video audio default audio output homepod selected
If ARC or eARC doesn't work for you after following the above steps, check whether you need to turn on ARC, eARC, or HDMI-CEC in the settings of your TV.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod, HomePod mini
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy), HomePod (Neutral), HomePod Mini (Caution)
Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology

Top Rated Comments

hagar Avatar
hagar
44 months ago
Apple made such a horrible mess of their home strategy. They should have kept the HomePod until a successor was ready. Even if it takes some years. Because the current situation is just embarrassing.

They could even have taken action to drive up sales like lowering the price and adding new features such as this one. I’m sure this would convince some users to use dual Homepods for their TV’s. Spatial Audio could have been another boost.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dance1000 Avatar
Dance1000
44 months ago
You know something’s not quite right when Apple keeps releasing new features for discontinued hardware.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dbwie Avatar
dbwie
44 months ago
This is a major new feature that will add value if it works well. Also a head scratcher that they discontinued the HomePod and then created this feature that works with it? It suggests that they will release a successor to the HomePod at some point? Strange, but welcome move.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleFanBoi77 Avatar
AppleFanBoi77
44 months ago
Just got my ATV. Hooked it up to the eARC port of my LG OLED and 2HPs as stereo pair. (My PS5 and Switch is connected to other HDMI ports in the TV)
Played Demon Souls (PS5) and MHRise (Switch) and the audio on HomePod is awesome. No latency observed at all!
I have a sonos beam as well, this setup blows it out of the water compared to the sonos. The low frequency response from the HP works really well!!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nimoy Avatar
Nimoy
44 months ago

Just joined to inform you all that I have this set up working and IT IS FANTASTIC! Works perfect with my PS5.
Yep. And it's a breeze to set up. Works as expected on the Switch as well. What an incredible feature for people with the stereo HomePod set up.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zhenya Avatar
zhenya
44 months ago

If it’s like the current set up with the HomePod playing the audio from Apple TV expect frequent disconnections, the HomePod to instead play random music that was on your iPhone a few weeks ago, randomly switch off the AppleTV music, etc. with fiddling you can always get it to work. Just remember never use the HomePod for anything else or it will take another 5 minutes to get it reconnected. Usually it will only take 3.
Polar opposite of our experience. We connected our Homepods to our ATV the day the software update came out and it has worked 100% flawlessly ever since. Never disconnected once, even after software updates.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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