HomePod and HomePod mini setup tips and tricks
How to set up HomePod and HomePod mini
Turn on the HomePod or HomePod mini and wait for the light to glow on the top Put your iPhone or iPad near the HomePod or HomePod mini Tap Set Up Set which room the HomePod is going to be Choose whether or not to Enable Personal Requests. This is whether or not you want to be able to dictate text messages, add reminders, or take notes via the smart speaker. Agree to transfer your iCloud account, Wi-Fi and other HomeKit settings over to the speaker. Say “Hey Siri, what can you do?” followed by “Hey Siri, play some music”
Best HomePod alternatives
How to update your HomePod
- Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad Tap the circle with three dots icon in the upper right-hand corner Tap ‘Home Settings’ Scroll down and tap Software Update Tap the ‘Update (All)’ button to begin the update or pull down to see if there is one Tap ‘Agree’ on the Terms and Conditions page.
Don’t unplug the cable from the HomePod
If your HomePod doesn’t sound right, pick it up
How to create a HomePod or HomePod mini stereo pair
- Make sure your HomePods or HomePod minis are running iOS 11.4 or later. Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad. Touch and hold a HomePod in the list. Tap on ‘Accessory Details’. Scroll down and tap on the Settings cog in the bottom right. Tap ‘Create Stereo Pair’. Follow the onscreen instructions, such as selecting which will be left and right.
Use your HomePod or HomePod mini as a speaker for Apple TV 4K
Head to Settings on your Apple TV menu Select Video and Audio Select Default Audio Output Your HomePod mini should appear on the list, allowing you to select it.
Open the Home app Make sure your HomePod or HomePod mini and your Apple TV are linked to the same room Touch and hold the Apple TV tile Scroll down to the settings cog in the bottom right corner Tap on Default Audio Option Select the room with your HomePod or HomePod mini in it.
HomePod music tricks and tips
HomePod touch controls
- Tap once to Play/Pause Double-tap to skip to the next track Triple tap to skip back to the previous track Touch and hold to access Siri without saying “Hey Siri” Tap or hold the plus icon to turn the volume up Tap or hold the minus icon to turn the volume down
HomePod music voice controls
Hey Siri, turn the volume up Hey Siri, turn the volume to 85 per cent Hey Siri, turn the volume down Hey Siri, stop Hey Siri, play Hey Siri, next song Hey Siri, skip forward 30 seconds Hey Siri, previous track
Bedtime Break Up Cardio Cooking Dancing Dinner Party Meditating Party Music Studying Waking Up
Affectionate Blue Chill Lively Safe for Kids Soothing Unwind Upbeat Warm Whimsical
Alternative Brazilian Chicago Blues Country Rock Electric Blues French Pop Grunge Indie Dance Pop Rock Smooth Jazz
Hey Siri, play the latest song by Norah Jones Hey Siri, play Ed Sheeran Hey Siri, play this year’s Grammy nominees Hey Siri, play Adele’s first album Hey Siri, play a playlist from Pitchfork Hey Siri, play the song by Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake
Hey Siri, what song is this? Hey Siri, when was this released? Hey Siri, what’s Taylor Swift’s newest album? Hey Siri, who plays drums for Coldplay?
Controlling HomePod music via your iPhone
Open Control Center Tap on the small wireless looking icon at the top of the music panel Scroll down the screen to see your HomePod’s name. If you’ve already played music, it will have the last track you’ve played with the accompanying album art. Tap on the song title to reveal playback commands Tap again to open up control in the Apple Music app
Open the Apple Music app Tap on the current song or previous song you were playing Tap on the AirPlay logo at the bottom centre of the screen Scroll down the screen to see your HomePod’s name. If you’ve already played music, it will have the last track you’ve played with the accompanying album art. Tap on the song title to reveal playback commands Tap again to return to the Apple Music app and choose the song you want to play.
Reduce the bass on your HomePod or HomePod mini
- Open the Home app Tap and hold your HomePod in the Favourite Accessory section Tap on ‘Accessory Details’ Tap on the Settings cog in the bottom right corner Toggle on Reduce Bass
Allow Explicit Content on HomePod
- Go to the Home app Tap on the circle with three dots icon in the top right corner Tap on Home Settings Tap a user Toggle Allow Explicit Content
Use Listening History on HomePod and HomePod mini
- Go to the Home app Tap on the circle with three dots icon in the top right corner Tap on Home Settings Tap a user Toggle Update Listening History
AirPlay from your iPhone to HomePod
HomePod messaging tips tricks
Enabling Personal Requests
- Open the Home app Tap and hold your HomePod or HomePod mini from the Favourite Accessories section Tap on ‘Accessory Details’ Scroll down and tap the settings cog in the bottom right corner Tap on Personal Requests Toggle Personal Requests on for each HomePod you want them on for
Creating a message with HomePod and HomePod mini
Adding to your Reminders or Lists
Adding or creating Notes
HomePod and HomePod mini Intercom tips and tricks
Send an intercom message
- “Hey Siri, intercom ‘Who ate the last biscuit?’” “Hey Siri, announce ‘I’m home!’” “Hey Siri, ask everyone where are my glasses?” “Hey Siri, let everyone know I found my glasses” “Hey Siri, tell everyone I’m taking the dog for a walk” “Hey Siri, intercom ‘On my way home, want me to pick anything up?’”
Replying to an intercom message
Turn on, off or limit intercom messages
- Open the Home app on your device Tap on the circle with the three dots icon in the top right corner Tap on Home Settings Tap on Intercom Choose your preference
Using HomePod or HomePod mini as a speakerphone
HomePod and HomePod mini specific controls in Home App
Setting an alarm on HomePod or HomePod mini
- Go to the Home app Select HomePod or HomePod mini speaker in Favourite Accessories Long press on HomePod or HomePod mini icon Tap New Alarm Set time, whether you want it to repeat, and give it a label You can also choose whether you want it to play a tone or play media
Setting a timer on HomePod or HomePod mini
- Go to the Home app Select HomePod or HomePod mini speaker in Favourite Accessories Long press on HomePod or HomePod mini icon Tap New Timer Set timer and give it a label
Using HomePod to control HomeKit devices
- Apple TV tips and tricks
Fine-tuning Siri on the HomePod
Turning off Hey Siri
- Go to the Home app Select HomePod speaker in Favourite Accessories Long press on HomePod icon Tap the settings icon in the bottom right corner Scroll down to Siri Toggle off Listen for “Hey Siri”
Playing a sound and lighting up when using Siri
- Go to the Home app Select HomePod speaker in Favourite Accessories Long press on HomePod icon Tap the settings icon in the bottom right Scroll down to Siri Toggle Light When Using Siri or Sound When Using Siri
Changing Siri’s voice on the HomePod
- Go to the Home app Select HomePod speaker in Favourite Accessories Long press on HomePod icon Tap the settings cog in the bottom right corner Scroll down to Siri Tap to change Siri’s Voice
