Use HDMI ARC or eARC with your Apple TV 4K

With HDMI ARC or eARC turned on, your Apple TV 4K (2nd generation and later) can receive high-quality audio from a supported TV, then play that audio through your HomePod or HomePod mini speakers.

What you need

• Apple TV 4K (2nd generation or later)

• HomePod or HomePod mini speakers

• A TV that supports HDMI ARC or eARC

Turn on HDMI ARC or eARC

1. Set up your single or stereo pair of HomePod or HomePod mini speakers as the default speaker(s) for Apple TV.

2. Go to the Home screen on Apple TV and select Settings > Video and Audio > Audio Output.

3. Under Default Audio Output, make sure the room with HomePod or HomePod mini is selected.

   

4. Under Audio Return Channel, select Play Television Audio. You'll know ARC or eARC has been turned on when it says On (ARC) or On (eARC).

If HDMI ARC or eARC isn't working as expected

• If you can’t set up HomePod or HomePod mini as the default speaker for Apple TV, make sure your HomePod or HomePod mini and Apple TV are added to the same room in the Home app. Then try to set up your HomePod or HomePod mini as the default speaker for your Apple TV

• Make sure your TV supports ARC or eARC. You can check by seeing if there's an ARC label next to your HDMI port, or you can contact your TV manufacturer.

• You may have to turn on ARC, eARC or HDMI-CEC in the settings of your TV. Check with your TV manufacturer for details.

• Unplug the HDMI cables from your TV and Apple TV. Then plug in the cables again and try to use ARC or eARC.