Audio sync problem with multiple HomePod after update to IOS18

Why do all my Homepods play the same music at different times after updating to IOS18? It doesn't happen in IOS17! There are more than 5 Homepods in my place. After I started to play for a while, maybe 3-5 songs, the audio does not sync anymore! It does like the delay time is a mess with the system!

HomePod, 18

Posted on Sep 20, 2024 1:21 AM

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Posted on Nov 6, 2024 11:16 AM

still getting the sync issue on 18.1 anyone else ?

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Dec 14, 2024 5:34 AM in response to segawm

Still happening to me with 18.2. But the problem is just with Apple Music. I’m testing with Spotify and youtube and no problem at all. I have 2 HP 1st gen in stereo, 1 HP 1st, 2 mini in stereo and other 2 mini singles and all of them have the same problem when put together playing.

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Dec 15, 2024 11:45 AM in response to Chadlien

I’ve been doing several tests. I reset all the HomePods, but it didn’t solve the issue. I disabled Atmos and Lossless, but the same errors persisted. What I noticed is that it seems to be related to the iPhone. On the iPhone, the issue only affects Apple Music when trying to stream to multiple HomePods. When I stream via the Music app on my MacBook, this error doesn’t occur. I haven’t tried performing a factory reset on the iPhone yet.

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Dec 15, 2024 1:12 PM in response to Chadlien

I’ve done all the suggestions on here and the problem persists. Today I had them starting to play a song 15/20 seconds in, then stopping and starting the same song again from the beginning. Not had that for a while. Then a bit later I had them completely out of sync and even the lyrics on my phone weren’t in sync. I stopped everything and restarted but then only one speaker played. Everything is updated. I use Apple Music. Don’t know what else to do. I restart them, unpair, re pair, reset, play music directly using Siri, stream from my phone etc etc. Doesn’t matter what I do they won’t work as they should

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Dec 15, 2024 1:22 PM in response to Maicon.lucca

Interesting. I've been using Apple Music directly, so that volume and speakers can be controlled by different devices in my home (three people, one of whom is very sound sensitive). I just set up different automations, disabled them, and use Test this automation to play that particular playlist. If I play from my desktop, that is the only device I can use to change volume, or add/remove speakers. Same with playing through Music on my iPhone.

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Dec 31, 2024 9:41 AM in response to krez56

Okay, it just started happening again. Without any improvement in the syncing issues. So now I have to frequently re-sync and deal with the abrupt song ending/starting partway into next song.


I tried restarting every HomePod and mini, but no help. No updates, and no changes to my system. Why is this happening again?

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Jan 10, 2025 8:23 AM in response to Maicon.lucca

USA, and Verizon Fios - the latest router.


I switched over to playing from my Mac, which at least stopped the sync issues. Still dealing with abrupt endings and false starts.


If these issues aren't fixed by then, I'm dropping my Apple Music subscription once the free trial ends next month. If I have to play from my Mac, and don't have the ability to control volume and speakers from any device, there is no point in paying the subscription price.

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Feb 28, 2025 4:10 AM in response to Chadlien

I have the same problem. I have 4 large HomePods (gen 1) and three small ones (2 gen 1 and 2 gen 2) scattered throughout the house. Only the older, small HomePods go out of sync. It is very annoying since I like to throw parties and constantly having to stop and start the music to fix the issue is not feasible or pleasant.

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Audio sync problem with multiple HomePod after update to IOS18

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