Apple TV: After tvOS 26 audio stream to AirPlay & TV no longer play

[info1]

After updating my AppleTV to tvOS 26 I can no longer send audio to both AirPlay device(s) and the TV. When I select an AirPlay device in the control center the TV audio cuts out. If I turn off the AirPlay device(s) the TV audio resumes.

This only happens with the Pandora app. All of my other apps work fine.

I tried a factory reset. No change.

I find it baffling that this problem could be only happening on one app. I would have thought the tvOS audio output would be independent of the app.

If anyone else has an AppleTV running tvOS 26 and an AirPlay device, can you let me know if you have the same problem?

Moderator Edit: Changing title for clarity

[TannerPandora]

Hi @info1 

Happy Friday!

Thanks for posting your experience with Pandora on Apple TV tvOS 26 with AirPlay. 

Since I don't believe troubleshooting would help to resolve this, I've gone ahead and passed it along to our engineering team for further review and investigation. 

Thanks for letting us know and for your patience in the meantime! 

[info1]

Many thanks!

If it makes any difference, I’ve tried this on two different models of AppleTV and both displayed the same problem.

Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.

John

[wtidmore]

Just to add that this issue started happening for me as well with TVOS 26.1 and the Pandora app.

[ishop415]

It's a recurring issue for years now. I know there are multiple tickets created for this very issue. It's making it impossible to use for the parties or simple ambience. Had to use other Apple Music instead, which is not as good as Pandora. But, what other choice do I have until this issue is permanently resolved. 

[TannerPandora]

Pandora Update: 3/23/26

Hi all!

Thanks again for reporting this issue!

We’re happy to share that a new version of Pandora for Apple TV (2506.2) was released today, which we hope should resolve the AirPlay audio issue you've all described.

Please update the app when you have a chance and test it out. If you’re still experiencing trouble after updating, let us know. 

Appreciate your patience while we worked through this!

[info1]

Hi,

After upgrading the Pandora app on an updated AppleTV, I can switch back and forth between the TV and the HomePod. I think this is a fix. To be honest I can’t exactly remember. But I am still unable to play audio through both the TV and HomePod at the same time.

The most recent Pandora app update did not fix this problem.

John

Moderator Edit: Merged posts

[info1]

The most recent Pandora app update did not fix this problem.

[TannerPandora]

Hi @info1 

Thanks for giving that a try and for following up, I’m sorry to hear it’s still happening.

Since you’re already on the latest version, could you tell me if you're having the same exact experience, or has it changed:

• Are you still seeing the same behavior where audio cuts out on the TV when selecting an AirPlay device?
• Does this still happen with all AirPlay devices or just a specific one?
• Are you using a HomePod, speakers, or another type of AirPlay device?

In the meantime, I've let our engineering team know you're still having trouble. Thanks for your ongoing patience. 

[wtidmore]

Today’s update unfortunately **ahem**ers at the same time.  

[TannerPandora]

Hi @wtidmore 

Thanks for following up!

It looks like our filters may have accidentally flagged a word. Could you confirm if you were trying to say “buffers”? If so, I can have our filter settings checked.

[info1]

Hi,

I just updated tvOS and deleted and re-installed the Pandora app, so I’m using the latest version of each.

When I play Pandora I can switch to one or more AirPlay devices, be they HomePods, a Mac computer, or my Wiim. Thay all work fine. When I do so, audio from my TV is muted, even though it is checked in the menu. Toggling the checkbox doesn’t change anything. When the last AirPlay device is disconnected audio once again comes from the TV speakers.

One improvement with the last Pandora app upgrade is that after using multiple AirPlay devices and disconnecting from them audio comes back through the TV speakers. In the past, the TV would remain muted, even in other apps. Usually I had to reboot the AppleTV. So, progress!

Thanks,

John

[Baddy2]

it happens to me to

[wtidmore]

Hi - I did not include that word in my post... I can't remember exactly what I had written, but I was trying to report that when I airplay to external speakers from the Apple TV, the TV speakers/soundbar no longer play the audio at the same time. Music apps other than Pandora are working fine. 

[TannerPandora]

Thanks, @wtidmore! Appreciate the follow-up. I have shared your continued trouble with playing Pandora on your Apple TV and using the external speakers. I’ve let our teams know that you’re still running into this issue. I’ll be sure to post updates I receive here. Thanks again for your continued patience!