Apple’s new HomePod mini 2 is already facing complaints from buyers who say its advertised Mac speaker feature fails to work reliably, with some customers returning their devices just days after launch. The $149 smart speaker, released on October 30, promises a persistent wireless connection that lets users set one HomePod or a stereo pair as their Mac’s default audio output.
However, several owners have reported connection failures, audio dropouts, and unexpected switching to built-in speakers, despite using compatible Macs and the latest software.
HomePod Mini 2 Owners Report Persistent Connection Failures
According to MacRumors, at least five users have reported similar problems on its forums, while at least two have confirmed plans to return their speakers.
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One user, DanJoeWhitaker, purchased a stereo pair specifically for use with an M6 Mac mini but found that the connection repeatedly reverted to the Studio Display speakers.
The user explained in a forum discussion:
I purchased a pair of HomePod mini 2’s to use with my M6 Mac mini as the primary output. I can connect no problem via AirPlay, but the persistent connection just refuses to work.
Other owners reported similar failures after waking their Macs from sleep or restarting them, while some could not find the persistent audio option in System Settings.
The Verge also encountered the issue while testing a Mac mini M4, where the speakers continued behaving like ordinary AirPlay devices despite meeting Apple’s requirements.
Apple’s New Mac Speaker Feature Isn’t Working as Expected
Apple introduced persistent Mac audio support with HomePod Software 27.2 and macOS 27.2, allowing compatible Macs with Wi-Fi 6E or newer to maintain a responsive wireless connection.
According to Apple’s official documentation, the feature supports both the HomePod mini 2 and second-generation HomePod, either individually or as a stereo pair.
One Reddit user reportedly traced the connection failure to a 6GHz Wi-Fi network, with audio falling back to standard AirPlay and experiencing approximately 500 milliseconds of latency. Switching to a 5GHz-only network resolved the issue in that particular setup, although the workaround remains unverified for other users.
Apple has yet to publicly identify the cause or announce a fix. For now, customers experiencing problems can check their software versions, restart their devices, and contact Apple Support, although these steps have not consistently resolved the reported failures.
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