Apple Removes HomePod SharePlay Feature From iOS 17.4 and tvOS 17.4 Betas

[MacRumors]

Apple has pulled the Apple Music SharePlay feature that it was testing for the HomePod and Apple TV in the iOS 17.4 and tvOS 17.4 betas, which suggests the option may not be available when the updates are released in March.

The first betas of tvOS 17.4 and iOS 17.4 enabled SharePlay music controls on both the HomePod and the Apple TV, but as of the second beta, the functionality has been removed.

SharePlay is a feature that allows users to watch television, listen to music, use apps, and play games together over FaceTime, but Apple has been expanding the feature. In iOS 17, SharePlay was added to CarPlay, allowing everyone in the car to contribute songs to a shared playlist.

On the HomePod and the Apple TV, the SharePlay feature allowed users to generate a QR code (on the iPhone for HomePod) that could be scanned to give friends and family members the option to play songs on the device. The HomePod or Apple TV owner was required to have an Apple Music subscription, but those contributing content simply needed the Music app without a subscription.

It is not clear if Apple will return the SharePlay feature to the HomePod or Apple TV ahead of the launch of the iOS 17.4 and tvOS 17.4 updates, but so far, SharePlay has been missing from the past two beta releases.

iOS 17.4 and tvOS 17.4 are set to come out in March.

(Thanks, Hidde!)

Article Link: Apple Removes HomePod SharePlay Feature From iOS 17.4 and tvOS 17.4 Betas

 

[scrapesleon]

let me just turn off auto update

 

[TigerNike23]

Am I dreaming or was this promised at last years WWDC?

 

[StuBeck]

I know rolling updates are the future, but maybe Apple stops announcing features they don't plan for release? They have enough events to announce these features when they're 2-3 months from release and not 9+.

 

[StoneJack]

who uses that feature anyway?
they should prioritize their work resources.

 

[kalafalas]

Nooooo I absolutely love this feature!

 

[Jeffrey Blanz]

Interesting, it was useful for bluetooth speakers. It was not only for the HomePod or Apple TV, it worked on my bluetooth JBL as well.

 

[heroinsmoker]

I've been using SharePlay with a close family member recently with some success. But can someone explain why it's so complicated and doesn't work in certain situations? For example, if I am on a FaceTime with this person on my iPad, and they are on their MacBook Air, and I am watching Disney+, it gives me an option to share what I am watching with them. From my iPad, it appears it is working as it says it is sharing Disney+ content with them, no error messages. But they don't see anything. Am I to understand this setup doesn't work? They would need to have a Disney+ Mac app (which doesn't exist) to validate their end? Am I missing something? Why doesn't Apple tell both me and them that this isn't working? Instead it seems to be working from my end. Just terrible user interface, no explanations of why it isn't working. Of course this setup works perfectly fine with AppleTV+. Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[t0rqx]

These devices cannot run the feature. It needs powerful hardware coming to the iPhone 16 and 2nd gen HomePod.

 

[MrGimper]

Apple, the king of “coming soon” features.

 

[lovehateapple]

SharePlay is a badly needed feature for the Vision Pro so families with two or more can watch content together while wearing them.

 

[CrysisDeu]

SharePlay is a badly needed feature for the Vision Pro so families with two or more can watch content together while wearing them.

Wait I assumed at least Apple TV app had it, did it not?
Holy sxxt

 

[CrysisDeu]

At the rate Apple is using QR code across their system, just add QR code support at Apple pay already..

 

[Antoniosmalakia]

SharePlay is a badly needed feature for the Vision Pro so families with two or more can watch content together while wearing them.

Families that have a Vision Pro each can probably just use their home cinema to watch a movie, or perhaps rent the local iMax for the night? You’re expecting way too much from Apple!!!!!

 

[CrysisDeu]

Families that have a Vision Pro each can probably just use their home cinema to watch a movie, or perhaps rent the local iMax for the night? You’re expecting way too much from Apple!!!!!

Isn’t that use case being boasted by Apple tho?
And they had so much marketing material showing using Vision Pro with a family around

 

[Antoniosmalakia]

Isn’t that use case being boasted by Apple tho?
And they had so much marketing material showing using Vision Pro with a family around

Yes. Everyone needs one, obviously. I just forgot to add my /s to my previous post.

 

[ErikGrim]

This was finally a replacement for iTunes DJ that was axed all those years ago

 

[allenvanhellen]

I miss the Jobs days when updates weren't so frequent and we got the features as demoed on stage.

 

[Reeneman]

Families that have a Vision Pro each can probably just use their home cinema to watch a movie, or perhaps rent the local iMax for the night? You’re expecting way too much from Apple!!!!!

And you’re expecting way too much from the Apple stans

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Am I dreaming or was this promised at last years WWDC?

Nope, you’re thinking of SharePlay via CarPlay, which actually did launch back with 17.
This was just discovered in the beta a couple weeks ago…

I know rolling updates are the future, but maybe Apple stops announcing features they don't plan for release? They have enough events to announce these features when they're 2-3 months from release and not 9+.

Apple never formally announced this feature, it just appeared in a beta update, and was removed in the next.

I miss the Jobs days when updates weren't so frequent and we got the features as demoed on stage.

Right, like mobile me.
Or push notifications (delayed an entire year)

 

[ItzJordan]

This would have been a party killer. Apple TV on the alfresco TV in the entertainment area - guests can queue songs and Apple Music Karaoke takes care of the rest with the lyrics on screen. 😩 Please bring it back before release. 😩