Home Can't get two Minis to operate separately

[srbNYC]

Just got a second HomePod Mini for the kitchen. They are not paired for stereo -- but I can't seem to get them to play one at a time via the Home app on the iPhone. I tap one in the app, and they both go off; tap it again, and they both go on. Driving me crazy, and just can't figure it out.

I've succeeded in creating one automation that plays in the kitchen without the bedroom, but for any scene I set up, it's both or neither; can't do just one. (E.g., ambient sound in the bedroom for bedtime, but there it is, playing in the kitchen.)

Any suggestions? Is this a bug or a feature? Thanks in advance?

 

[dotme]

Not intended behavior. I suppose there's no chance that one HP is set to airplay to the other one?

 

[srbNYC]

Thanks, but I don't think so. How would I check for that. (Thanks so much in advance. I'm going crazy.)

 

[dotme]

Easiest way is once they're both playing, go to control center and tap the player widget. On the next screen scroll to the bottom and tap "Control other speakers and TVs"

Find the actively playing device there, tap it, and below should be a list of all airplay-capable speakers. If any are selected, you should be able to deselect them there.

If this isn't the issue, I don't know what to suggest other than removing the new one from the home, waiting 10 mins, then adding it back. Are you seeing both as separate options when you create and edit scenes?

 

[srbNYC]

Thanks again. I can select them one at a time in the control center, and that works. However, when I try to create a Scene, tapping either HomePod sets them both on or off. Cannot set just one or the other.

 

[dotme]

Thanks again. I can select them one at a time in the control center, and that works. However, when I try to create a Scene, tapping either HomePod sets them both on or off. Cannot set just one or the other.

I think that would be normal behavior in the instance where both HomePods are included in the scene. But when creating (or editing) a scene it should be possible to only include the HomePod(s) that you want to be part of that scene.

Try editing the existing scene and, if both HomePods show up there, scroll down to "Add or Remove Accessories"

Are both HomePods also selected on the next screen? If so, you should be able to de-select the one you don't want to be playing in your scene. That should leave you with only the one HomePod in the scene, then save changes.

Are both HomePods in different HomeKit Rooms?

 

[srbNYC]

Thank you!! The magic seems to have been in going back into Add or Remove Accessories. My new Mini was automatically included where I had never added it myself. Unticked the item and seems good now.