How to customize audio quality and playback on HomePod

You can customize how Apple Music sounds on your HomePod with high-quality audio formats like Lossless Audio and Dolby Atmos, and with smooth song transitions like AutoMix or Crossfade.

Lossless Audio preserves all the original audio data for CD-quality sound, while Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos makes music feel like it’s coming from all around you. AutoMix dynamically transitions between songs, and Crossfade gradually moves from one song to the next for a set duration. Only the Home owner can turn these on for anyone using HomePod, though.

Note: These features require an Apple Music subscription and compatible content. Apple Music isn’t available in all countries or regions.

Turn on Lossless Audio

By preserving all the original audio data, lossless audio delivers CD-quality sound, with richer detail and clarity than compressed audio formats.

If you subscribe to Apple Music, you can play available lossless audio tracks on HomePod.

Note: Only the Home owner is able to turn on Lossless Audio for anyone using HomePod.

1. Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the More button, then tap Home Settings.
3. In the People section, tap your name.
4. Tap Apple Music and turn on Lossless Audio.

Play music in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos

You get an immersive, three-dimensional sound experience with Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, and music feels like it’s coming from all around you.

If you subscribe to Apple Music, you can play available tracks in Dolby Atmos on HomePod. (Not supported on HomePod mini.)

Note: For anyone using HomePod, it’s the Home owner who can turn on Dolby Atmos.

1. Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the More button, then tap Home Settings.
3. In the People section, tap your name.
4. Tap Apple Music and then turn on Dolby Atmos.

Choose AutoMix or Crossfade transitions

AutoMix and Crossfade change how one song transitions into the next. If you subscribe to Apple Music, you can choose AutoMix, which transitions dynamically between Apple Music subscription content, or Crossfade, which gradually goes from one song to the next for a set duration.

Note: The Home owner alone can turn on AutoMix and Crossfade for anyone using HomePod.

1. Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the More button, then tap Home Settings.
3. In the People section, tap your name.
4. Tap Apple Music, tap Song Transitions, and then choose AutoMix or Crossfade.

This guide is for HomePod software version 27 or later.

See also

• Play audio on HomePod using iPhone or iPad
• Let other people play audio on HomePod using iPhone or iPad