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How to set up and use HomePod and Mini

Apple HomePod (2nd generation), HomePod, and mini are great gadgets to control your home. They are designed to work with Siri and can play music, set alarms, and control smart home gadgets, among other things. However, it can be difficult to use at first. Here’s everything you need to know about how to set up and use your new HomePod or mini.

How to set up your HomePod or HomePod mini

  1. Apple recommends placing the HomePod on a flat surface with a six-inch gap around it.
  2. Connect the device and wait for the beep. When you hear a sound, a white light will flash above the HomePod.
  3. Now unlock your iPhone or iPad and place it next to your HomePod. Wait for the two devices to connect.
  4. Select “Configure”from the dialog box that will appear on your device’s screen.
  5. Scan the flashing white light.
  6. Select your room in the “Select Room”section ➝ click “Agree”.
  7. Go to Transfer Settings → Continue.
  8. Also, approve or prevent Siri from recognizing your voice.
  9. Select Use Personal Requests or Do Not Use Personal Requests.
  10. Enter your Apple ID password → select Sign In. The setup may take several minutes.
  11. Click Done.

Note. Tap Enter Passcode Manually if your iPhone’s camera isn’t working, and Siri will come back to you with a four-digit passcode you can enter on your device.

Connect HomePod to Wi-Fi

If you’re using an iPhone or iPad to set up your HomePod, the network settings will be instantly transferred to the device.

However, if the settings don’t match, you can manually connect your HomePod to a different Wi-Fi network by following the instructions below:

  1. Launch the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap [HomePod name].
  3. Scroll down and tap Settings. In addition, you can also continue scrolling.
  4. Click “Move HomePod to [wi-fi network name].

Congratulations! You have now moved your HomePod to a new Wi-Fi network.

How to enable Handoff on HomePod

Handoff is an extremely handy feature offered on Apple devices. Read our article to learn how to set up Handoff on HomePod and HomePod mini.

Set up your HomePod or HomePod mini

  1. Go to the Home app.
  2. Tap [HomePod name].
  3. Scroll down and tap the Settings icon. In addition, you can also continue scrolling.
  4. You can now change your HomePod settings as required.

Identify Status Lights on HomePod

At regular intervals, different lights flash across the top of your HomePod. In order to understand what’s going on with your speaker, you must identify each one.

  • Flashing white light: Ready to set up or an alarm/timer is triggered.
  • White spinning light: Turn on or update software.
  • Red rotating light: device reset.
  • Multi-colored rotating light: Siri is activated.
  • Green flashing light: Transferring a phone call.
  • Orange Blinking Light (HomePod mini only): Not getting enough power from Mac during software, or adapter not certified for 20W.

HomePod Touch Control

  • Play and pause: Tap the top of your HomePod to play music or pause the song that’s playing.
  • Adjust the sound: Increase or decrease the HomePod volume by pressing the (+) or (-) button on the touchpad on the top.
  • Next track: When using the music player app, double-tap at the top to change the next song (double-tap skips 30 seconds when using the Podcasts app).
  • Previous track: Triple tap the top to return to the previous song in the music player app. (When using the Podcasts app, triple tapping rewinds the audio 15 seconds.)
  • Activate Siri: use the “Hey Siri”command to activate Siri; otherwise, you can also press and hold the top touchpad.
  • Turn off the alarm. Tap anywhere on the HomePod touchpad.

How to update HomePod

You can update your HomePod and HomePod mini with just a few clicks. However, make sure both of your devices are using the same Apple ID and Wi-Fi network.

It is recommended that you check your HomePod version before updating your device software. After making sure that all the prerequisites are met, follow these steps:

Using iPhone and iPad

  1. Launch the Home app.
  2. Tap the three dots → select Home Settings.
  3. Scroll down and tap Software Update. Your iPhone or iPad will now look for updates.
  4. You will see a dialog box if an update is available. Click “Update”to download and install it.

Alternatively, you can also launch the Home app → select HomePod → scroll down and select the Settings icon in the bottom right corner; otherwise, you can just keep scrolling → tap Refresh.

Note. The update button will only appear if an update is available.

Mac use

You can also use the Home app on your Mac to update your HomePod mini to the current version. Just follow the procedures for your version of macOS.

macOS Ventura

  1. Open Spotlight (Command + Space).
  2. Search Home app.
  3. Click the three dots icon in the upper right corner → select “Main Settings”.
  4. Scroll down and select Software Update.
  5. Click Update next to HomePod.

macOS Monterey

  1. Launch the Home app.
  2. Click the house icon.
  3. Select Home settings.
  4. Select Software Update.
  5. Click the Update button next to HomePod.

How to automatically update software on HomePod?

Updating your HomePod or HomePod mini is just as important as updating your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. And luckily, HomePod updates its software on its own if this setting is turned on.

For some reason, if you have disabled the update option, here is how you can enable it:

  1. Go to the Home app → tap on the three dots → select Home Settings.
  2. Tap Software Update.
  3. Turn on the button next to HomePod.

FAQ

Apple recommends that you place your HomPod on a level surface in close proximity to your Wi-Fi router.

HomePod can work with or without Wi-Fi. However, when using HomePod without Wi-Fi, most features and functionality will be lost. AirPlay music, videos, or movies from your iOS device will be the only option available.

Yes, HomePod can work without Siri. However, to do this, you must disable Siri on your iOS device. In addition, HomePod will lose many of the features associated with Siri.

There is no need to turn off HomePod when not in use. The reason for this is that it goes into a low power mode that uses almost no power. For this reason, it is not recommended to disable it.

Completion…

That’s it for setting up, using and updating your HomePod mini or HomePod software. With the release of the new HomePod (2nd generation), Apple has taken steps beyond ambient sounds and intercom features. What do you think of Apple’s HomePod and where do you think it ranks among the best smart speakers? Let us know about it in the comments.

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