OG HomePod 'previewing' random songs in a playlist, by first playing them from the middle, before restarting them again from the beginning.

Question

OG HomePod 'previewing' random songs in a playlist, by first playing them from the middle, before restarting them again from the beginning.

This bug began after updating my original HomePod to OS 17.

I will start playing an album or playlist on my HomePod - as usual - either by asking Siri to play something, or by using the Music app on my iPhone.

Everything will start off fine for the first 4-5 tracks.

Then, a few songs in, the HomePod will decide play the next track from the middle of the song, before starting it again from the beginning after 'previewing' it for about 10-15 seconds.

This track will then play for only about two minutes, before the HomePod randomly skips it, in order to play the next song in the playlist or album.

This bug happens every 5-6 songs.

To try and resolve the issue;

I have restarted the HomePod;

I have removed it and added it again;

I have performed a factory reset on it;

I have even power-cycled the HomePod overnight, just in case.

None of the above work at resolving this playback issue.

Any help or feedback on this bug would be very appreciated :)

Posted on Oct 2, 2023 4:33 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

hyper5onic

Level 1

8 points

Oct 22, 2023 12:58 AM in response to Richard Zabilski

I have this issue with a stereo pair of HomePod Minis. The problem got worse with HomeOS 17. It’s more frequent now and the duration of the “preview” has gone from less than a second to several seconds.

it’s very annoying.

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Answer 2

Oct 22, 2023 11:46 AM in response to hyper5onic

As the original poster of this thread, I thought I might update you all on a decent solution which I have found through trial and error - although it's not ideal if your intent was to have two HomePods for the purposes of listening to music in stereo or Atmos.

For some reason, unpairing the HomePods and setting them in different rooms of the house via the Home app resolves this problem.

Since unpairing them over a week ago, my wife and I have been able to listen to skip-free music on both units without any of the original issues I posted earlier.

One unit is in my study and the other in the bedroom. They can both play completely different songs if we so choose, or the same song (but not in literal stereo), and have so far performed flawlessly.

Although not ideal, as we purchased two units for their stereo sound; having the ability to 'intercom' one another from different ends of the house, and being able to listen to our own selection of music at the same time is actually quite cool.

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Answer 3

T_R_919

Level 1

8 points

Oct 22, 2023 6:30 AM in response to Richard Zabilski

Yep. Exact same thing happening with my Homepod minis. Only started happening a month or so ago after updating to iOS 17. It's really quite infuriating as the one thing you want speakers to do is to play music. And it fails at that.

Starts playing (album or playlist, doesn't matter) and goes through the first 3-5 songs normally. Then, it will randomly jump to the middle of a song, play that for maybe 15 seconds, and then start the song over. And it repeats this behavior every few songs. Very jarring and frustrating.

During this time, the display on the phone (track progress bar and lyrics on Music app) gets out of sync with the music.

Come on, Apple. You already have the dumbest smart speakers out there! I'm not asking for much when it comes to Siri. I just want the speakers to play music without randomly skipping around parts of tracks.

Based on others who have experienced similar behavior, I've tried the following which have not fixed it:

• Turned off lossless audio

• Turned off crossfade

• Unpaired and repaired the homepods

• Reset the homepods

• Turned off "Use in Home" for Apple Music in Home settings under my user name

Incredibly eager to have this fixed.

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Answer 4

Oct 22, 2023 12:56 PM in response to Richard Zabilski

Thanks for sharing that. Unfortunately I can’t avail of that solution, but I like your adaptation.

I’ve stereo pair of HomePod 2s attached to my Apple TV and they’re working great. I’ve an OG in the Kitchen and usually works great, apart from Siri being as thick as bricks. I believe I had experienced this bug on it too prior to AudioOS 17 but don’t recollect it happening lately.

The problem is on the stereo pair of Minis in the bedroom. They’re automated to come on at night and in the morning so it’s particularly jarring when it happens when you are half asleep.

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Answer 5

T_R_919

Level 1

8 points

Oct 23, 2023 1:22 PM in response to hyper5onic

Thanks for the feedback. That's interesting that unpairing worked, but that's a bummer as one of the main reasons I got them was to have the stereo support in our main living area (and I already have a homepod in the other room I'd want it in). But if this keeps happening, I might just go ahead and try unpairing one of them to see if it helps.

[Edited by Moderator]

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Answer 6

Missy5937

Community Specialist

Oct 4, 2023 3:09 PM in response to Richard Zabilski

Hello Richard,

Thanks for posting in the Apple Support Communities.

Given the actions you've already performed, it would be best to connect with Apple Support so they can investigate this issue fully. You can connect with them directly at Get Support.

Best regards.

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Answer 7

mattsea

Level 1

5 points

Nov 20, 2023 2:54 PM in response to Richard Zabilski

Same issue here on a stereo pair of HomePod Minis.

I don't have this issue on my OG HomePod, nor on two other minis that are in different rooms (not stereo paired).

I've done a full factory reset, doesn't resolve the issue.

Very frustrating, and making me wish I'd just gone with Sonos.

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Answer 8

cM4TTm

Level 1

8 points

Dec 2, 2023 8:18 AM in response to Richard Zabilski

Howdy folks. It’s actually comforting to know that others have the same issue as I do.

Anyway, seems like I’m part of the club here. Stereo paired minis, “previews” a song about 3 or 4 songs into a list, then starts it over.

It’s Dec 2 2023 as I write this. Hoping for a fix soon.

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Answer 9

mattsea

Level 1

5 points

Dec 2, 2023 12:50 PM in response to Richard Zabilski

I’m about a month away from selling my paired Minis and buying a Sonos or something.

I haven’t had trouble with other HomePods (have an OG and two other non-paired minis) and I’d rather remain an all-HomePod house, but this problem is driving me crazy

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Answer 10

Oct 16, 2023 5:46 PM in response to Richard Zabilski

Hi Richard, I have the exact same issue. I’m working with a senior advisor at Apple Support to see what’s going on. Engineering is studying the issue. To be continued

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Answer 11

Oct 29, 2023 7:18 PM in response to Richard Zabilski

Apple Support is aware the issue is still occurring in 17.1 and they're telling me they're actively working to solve it. As soon as I have more updates, I'll let you know

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Answer 12

Oct 22, 2023 6:47 AM in response to T_R_919

I experienced it with AudioOS 16 but it only did for half a second. How with 17 it’s much worse.

I’ve factory reset, disabled Atmos, etc to no avail.

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Answer 13

Edwin_69

Level 1

12 points

Oct 27, 2023 1:42 AM in response to Richard Zabilski

Exactly the same problem, complete reset does not help and it is getting more and more frustrating to not be able to just listen to the song you want to hear.

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