How To See What Homepod Is Playing

(Pocket-lint) - Got a HomePod or HomePod mini? Cracking! Aside from maxim "Hey Siri, play me some music", there is plenty more than these smart speakers tin do.

Here we've detailed a load of HomePod and HomePod mini tips and tricks to become you started and evidence y'all what your Apple smart speaker tin practice including, how to ensure it is upward to appointment with the latest version of software then you get all the latest features.

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HomePod and HomePod mini setup tips and tricks

How to set up HomePod and HomePod mini

The HomePod fix is similar to setting upwards a pair of AirPods or Apple TV. You need to exist on the latest version of iOS and take your iOS device near the speaker when you lot exercise.

Turn on the HomePod or HomePod mini and wait for the light to glow on the pinnacle
Put your iPhone or iPad near the HomePod or HomePod mini
Tap Set Up
Fix which room the HomePod is going to be
Choose whether or not to Enable Personal Requests. This is whether or non you want to exist able to dictate text messages, add reminders, or take notes via the smart speaker.
Hold to transfer your iCloud business relationship, Wi-Fi and other HomeKit settings over to the speaker.
Say "Hey Siri, what can y'all do?" followed by "Hey Siri, play some music"

All-time HomePod alternatives

How to update your HomePod

To update your HomePod to the latest version of iOS and ensure you lot benefit from any new features that appear, follow the steps beneath:

Open the Dwelling app on your iPhone or iPad
Tap the Business firm icon in the upper left-mitt corner
Tap 'Abode Settings'
Curl downwardly and tap Software Update
Tap the 'Update (All)' button to begin the update or pull down to see if there is one
Tap 'Hold' on the Terms and Conditions page.

Don't unplug the cable from the HomePod

Information technology might be tempting if you lot are trying to become the cablevision down the back of a sideboard, or through a hole, only while possible, information technology's non recommended to pull the plug out of the back of the HomePod or HomePod mini. According to internal support documents, uncovered by MacRumours, whipping out the cable to go the cable through a desk hole or behind the back of something isn't recommended:

"The HomePod includes a congenital-in power cable that should non be removed. In the rare instance that the cable is discrete or damaged, do not attempt to remove or plug it back into HomePod. If the cable is removed or impaired, damage could have occurred to the cable or the internal components of HomePod."

Proceed with caution.

If your HomePod doesn't sound right, pick it up

The HomePod and HomePod mini both feature an accelerometer that detects when the speaker has been moved and then it can automatically whizz through the audio setup process again.

If for some reason y'all aren't happy with the sound your speaker is creating, pick up the HomePod or HomePod mini, lift it in the air, and replace information technology where you want the speaker to go. This should automatically force the speaker to calibrate the audio again - something that takes seconds, and the audio should exist improved. The chances are though, that you should never have to worry most doing this.

How to create a HomePod or HomePod mini stereo pair

If you accept ii HomePods or two HomePod minis, you tin create a stereo pair. Nosotros've got a full feature on this, but in a nutshell, follow the instructions below:

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.
Ringlet down and tap on the Settings cog.
Tap 'Create Stereo Pair'.
Follow the onscreen instructions, such as selecting which will be left and right.

Use your HomePod or HomePod mini every bit a speaker for Apple TV 4K

If you have the Apple tree TV 4K, yous can utilise your HomePod and HomePod mini equally the default speaker, which is dandy if you don't have a soundbar and your Tv sound isn't brilliant. Nosotros've got a separate feature on this, but hither are the basic instructions:

Using your Apple Television receiver

Head to Settings on your Apple TV carte du jour
Select Video and Audio
Select Default Audio Output
Your HomePod mini should appear on the listing, allowing you to select it.

Using your iPhone or iPad

If you want to connect your HomePod mini to your Apple Telly using your iPhone or iPad, you'll first need to open the Home app. You'll so need to brand sure your HomePod mini and your Apple Tv are linked to the same room.

Open the Habitation app
Make sure your HomePod or HomePod mini and your Apple Tv are linked to the same room
Bear on and concord the Apple TV tile
Ringlet down to the settings cog in the bottom right corner
Tap on Default Audio Pick
Select the room with your HomePod or HomePod mini in information technology.

HomePod music tricks and tips

There are a number of ways you can command music playback on the HomePod. Either via voice commands to Siri, through the touch panel on the top of the speaker, or via the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad.

HomePod touch controls

You tin tap the top of HomePod or HomePod mini to play, pause, skip a song, or adjust the volume. Touch and hold the pinnacle to talk to Siri.

Tap once to Play/Pause
Double-tap to skip to the adjacent rails
Triple tap to skip back to the previous track
Touch and hold to access Siri without saying "Hey Siri"
Tap or agree the plus icon to turn the volume up
Tap or hold the minus icon to turn the book down

HomePod music phonation controls

Yous can command the music playback of music played via the HomePod (ie not via AirPlay) past simply proverb "Hey Siri". Here are some basic phonation commands:

Hey Siri, turn the book upwards
Hey Siri, turn the volume to 85 per cent
Hey Siri, turn the volume down
Hey Siri, stop
Hey Siri, play
Hey Siri, next vocal
Hey Siri, skip forwards thirty seconds
Hey Siri, previous track

Siri almost supports a number of more than complex music vocalism commands like asking for specific genres, moods, or activities.

Activities include:

Bedtime
Pause Up
Cardio
Cooking
Dancing
Dinner Political party
Meditating
Party Music
Studying
Waking Up

Moods include:

Affectionate
Bluish
Chill
Lively
Safe for Kids
Soothing
Unwind
Upbeat
Warm
Whimsical

Genres include:

Alternative
Brazilian
Chicago Blues
Country Stone
Electrical Dejection
French Pop
Grunge
Indie
Dance
Popular
Rock
Smooth
Jazz

Yous tin can also go more than specific either with artists or playlists. For example:

Hey Siri, play the latest song past Norah Jones
Hey Siri, play Ed Sheeran
Hey Siri, play this twelvemonth's Grammy nominees
Hey Siri, play Adele'south first album
Hey Siri, play a playlist from Pitchfork
Hey Siri, play the song by Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake

Once you're playing a track you can then ask Siri more than questions well-nigh what'southward playing.

Hey Siri, what song is this?
Hey Siri, when was this released?
Hey Siri, what'south Taylor Swift'due south newest album?
Hey Siri, who plays drums for Coldplay?

Controlling HomePod music via your iPhone

Yous tin meet what's playing on your HomePod at any time either past asking Siri to tell yous or by accessing the HomePod via Control Center or the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad. To exercise and so you lot take to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Through Control Eye

Open Control Center
Tap on the small wireless looking icon at the top of the music panel
Ringlet down the screen to encounter your HomePod'southward name. If you've already played music, it will have the last track you've played with the accompanying album fine art.
Tap on the song title to reveal playback commands
Tap again to open up control in the Apple tree Music app

Through the Apple tree 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 lesser centre of the screen
Whorl down the screen to see your HomePod's name. If you've already played music, information technology will have the last track you've played with the accompanying anthology art.
Tap on the song title to reveal playback commands
Tap again to render to the Apple Music app and choose the song you lot want to play.

Reduce the bass on your HomePod or HomePod mini

If you find the HomePod or HomePod mini also bassy, you tin apply a setting to reduce the low frequency output of the speakers.

Open the Home app
Tap and agree your HomePod in the Favourite Accessory department
Toggle on Reduce Bass

Allow Explicit Content on HomePod

You tin can set whether you want to mind to music with explicit content or non on the HomePod and HomePod mini. Handy if you've got kids. To plough this feature on or off you need to go to the HomePod or HomePod mini's settings page in the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.

Get to the Home app
Tap on the Dwelling house icon in the pinnacle left corner
Tap on Home Settings
Tap a user
Toggle Allow Explicit Content

Use Listening History on HomePod and HomePod mini

Apple allows music played on the HomePod and HomePod mini to influence your "Listen Now" recommendations and appear on your profile. If yous're worried that other members of your family unit might disrupt your recommendations (read kids listening to Disney or girl bands too much) yous can turn this feature off. To do this follow the instructions below:

Go to the Dwelling app
Tap on the Home icon in the top left corner
Tap on Home Settings
Tap a user
Toggle Update Listening History

AirPlay from your iPhone to HomePod

If y'all want to play music direct from your device or from another service like Spotify or BBC radio you lot can AirPlay content straight from your iPhone or iPad to the HomePod or HomePod mini.

To do so just go the app yous desire to play, find the AirPlay logo and then select your HomePod or HomePod mini from the listing of available devices.

HomePod messaging tips tricks

Beyond music controls the HomePod also has the ability to ship letters, set up reminders, create lists, and add to notes using your voice.

Enabling Personal Requests

To enable or disable personal requests - i.e, transport messages, add to your reminders, or create notes when your iPhone is nearby - you have to go to the Home app.

Open the Home app
Tap and hold your HomePod or HomePod mini from the Favourite Accessories section
Tap the settings cog in the bottom right corner
Tap on Personal Requests
Toggle Personal Requests on for each HomePod yous desire them on for

Creating a message with HomePod and HomePod mini

To create a new message, y'all just have to say "Hey Siri, text…" or "Hey Siri, WhatsApp…" Siri supports text messaging through a number of apps, including iMessage, SMS, WhatsApp and WeChat.

You tin besides tell Siri that a sure contact is your brother or partner, for case, and Siri will retrieve that for the futurity then you'll be able to say "Send a message to my husband" or "Send a message to my wife" and it will ship a message to whoever you have told Siri is your husband or your wife.

Adding to your Reminders or Lists

For Reminders and Lists, you can ask to add together items or complete them by telling Siri. You simply say things like: "Hey Siri, marking walk the neighbor'due south dog as consummate" or "Hey Siri, add broccoli to the grocery list."

HomePod and HomePod mini support Apple's own Reminders app every bit well as others, similar Evernote and Things 3.

Adding or creating Notes

You can either create or add notes via the HomePod by saying things like: "Hey Siri, create a note Books to Read" or "Hey Siri, add Columns of Burn to my Books to Read annotation".

HomePod and HomePod mini Intercom tips and tricks

HomePod and HomePod mini can exist used equally an intercom if y'all have multiple HomePod speakers in your dwelling or multiple Apple devices. You can send different intercom messages to specific rooms and zones or ship the same message, like "Hey Siri, intercom 'Time for dinner!'" to tell anybody to become to the tabular array.

An intercom message volition arrive on any HomePod speakers you tell information technology to, likewise as iOS, iPadOS or Apple tree Spotter or CarPlay devices

Send an intercom message

To send an intercom message on your HomePod or HomePod mini, simply endeavour any of the examples beneath or brand upward your own.

"Hey Siri, intercom 'Who ate the final biscuit?'"
"Hey Siri, denote 'I'one thousand home!'"
"Hey Siri, enquire everyone where are my glasses?"
"Hey Siri, permit everyone know I constitute 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 upwards?'"

To send a bulletin to a HomePod in a specific room or zone, say something like "Hey Siri, tell the role the pic is starting" or "Hey Siri, denote upstairs I'm going to the shops".

Replying to an intercom message

You tin respond to an intercom message by simply saying "Hey Siri respond I'll exist right at that place" or "Hey Siri, announce I am just finishing my homework".

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Plough on, off or limit intercom messages

Past default, all members of your home will go intercom message delivered to their devices when they are at domicile, though they need to take location services on.

If yous desire to turn intercom notifications off on your device, or limit them, follow the steps below:

Open the Abode app on your device
Tap on the Home icon in the top left corner
Tap on Home Settings
Tap on Intercom
Choose your preference

Using HomePod or HomePod mini equally a speakerphone

You tin can mitt-off calls y'all've started or received on your HomePod or HomePod mini from your iPhone easily. When you're in a call or most to accept a call but select HomePod or HomePod mini from the sound choices in Phone app in the same mode yous would a Bluetooth headset or speaker.

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HomePod and HomePod mini specific controls in Dwelling App

Once set you can admission the HomePod and HomePod mini settings via the Home app on your Apple iPhone or iPad. To check the settings, observe the HomePod in your Favourite Accessories and long press on the icon.

Setting an alarm on HomePod or HomePod mini

You can set up multiple audio alarms on the HomePod and HomePod mini. To do and then follow these instructions

Become 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 up fourth dimension, whether you want it to echo, and give it a label
You can also choose whether you want information technology to play a tone or play media

Setting a timer on HomePod or HomePod mini

Like alarms, you can set multiple timers on the HomePod and HomePod mini. Follow the steps beneath:

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
Gear up timer and give information technology a label

Using HomePod to control HomeKit devices

You can apply the HomePod in the same way you would Siri on your phone to control Homekit devices in your home either by issuing commands to do something similar "Hey Siri, plow on the lights" to "Hey Siri, what's the temperature in the living room?" Any control or device that was previously ready with your telephone volition piece of work in the aforementioned way on the HomePod.

Apple Goggle box tips and tricks

Fine-tuning Siri on the HomePod

You tin can fine-tune Siri to some extent in the Home app on your iPhone or iPad although the control you lot have is express.

Turning off Hey Siri

There's isn't a physical button on the HomePod to turn off Siri like the Echo, Sonos One, and Google Home or Nest devices, but you lot tin notwithstanding plow off the function if you are worried about Siri listening in on your conversation. To turn Siri off on the HomePod and HomePod mini, yous have to do information technology via the Home app on your iPhone.

Get to the Domicile app
Select HomePod speaker in Favourite Accessories
Long press on HomePod icon
Tap the settings icon in the bottom right corner
Whorl down to Siri
Toggle off Listen for "Hey Siri"

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Playing a sound and lighting up when using Siri

By default, the HomePod and HomePod mini lights up a small-scale function of the touchscreen on the top of the speaker when you say "Hey Siri".

Y'all can plough this off, equally well every bit accept an audible beep when you say the command and so you know when to start speaking. To enable or disable these features:

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

Irresolute Siri's voice on the HomePod

Siri will default to the vocalism of your territory; withal, you can change it if you fancy a change. Siri is available in both male and female voices in American, British, Australian, Indian, Irish gaelic and South African. To change Siri'due south vocalization, practise the following:

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
Whorl downward to Siri
Tap to change Siri's Vox

Web Search Handoff to iPhone

Siri on HomePod works seamlessly with your other Apple devices as you lot might imagine. Yous can inquire Siri on HomePod or HomePod mini to search the web and the results can exist sent to your iPhone.

To do this simply say "Hey Siri, search the spider web for Yosemite travel guides" and while you lot've asked the HomePod or HomePod mini, the search will be performed on your iPhone.

Writing past Stuart Miles and Britta O'Boyle.