Home Assistant's music manager just got a big update

Music Assistant 2.7 — The Biggest Update Yet

Music Assistant 2.7 delivers a visual overhaul, new features, and a custom multimedia streaming protocol. If you use Home Assistant and rely on this audio manager, this update is built for you.

What's New: Quick Summary

• Major UI/UX refresh with a collapsible left navigation and breadcrumbed settings.
• Built-in browser player for local previews before casting to speakers.
• User profiles and Single Sign-On via Home Assistant to organize accounts and providers.
• Remote streaming through a new web app that uses Home Assistant Cloud WebRTC.
• New custom multimedia streaming protocol (Sendspin) and added support for external sources and hardware.

UI & UX Refresh

The team redesigned the interface to match the app's audio quality. Visual changes prioritize clarity and fast access.

Key interface improvements

• Collapsible left navigation: cleaner layout and easier navigation for new users.
• Breadcrumbs on settings pages: faster context and reduced clicks.

Pro tip: Collapsing the left nav frees screen space on small displays without losing access to primary controls.

Built-in Browser Player

Music Assistant now includes a native player that runs in your browser. Use it to preview tracks before broadcasting to all speakers.

User Profiles, Logins & Access Control

User profiles bring organization and control. Logins support Home Assistant SSO to minimize friction.

Benefits

• Separate music providers per profile — no more duplicate accounts cluttering Playlists.
• Speaker access control — assign who can use each speaker to prevent disruptions during calls.
• Remote access — authenticated users can stream to their current location.

Remote Streaming & Web App

The new web app manages remote connections and routes audio via Home Assistant Cloud WebRTC, enabling secure streaming from your Music Assistant server to anywhere you have internet.

New Protocols, Sources & Compatibility

Music Assistant 2.7 expands compatibility and adds a custom streaming protocol (Sendspin) to improve media transport and interoperability.

Highlights

• Sendspin: custom multimedia streaming protocol for the app.
• External sources: Spotify Connect and other external audio sources supported.
• AirPlay 2 support: integrate Apple devices and ecosystems.
• DSP presets: apply audio processing profiles per device or group.
• Scrobbling and history: LastFM, ListenBrainz, Subsonic compatibility.
• New hardware/providers: broader device support and integrations.

Privacy & Security

Remote streaming relies on Home Assistant Cloud and WebRTC to route audio securely. User logins centralize authentication and reduce credential spread.

Compare local vs remote streaming

Final Take

Music Assistant 2.7 raises the bar with a polished UI, practical features like a browser player, profile-driven organization, and robust remote streaming powered by WebRTC and a new Sendspin protocol. The update targets reliability, privacy, and real-world usability for Home Assistant users.

FAQ

• Do I need to create a new account? No — you can use your Home Assistant login via SSO.
• Can I preview tracks without casting? Yes — use the built-in browser player to preview audio locally.
• Is remote streaming secure? Yes — remote audio routes through Home Assistant Cloud using WebRTC encryption.

Source: Home Assistant