30 prime Apple HomePod and Siri suggestions and methods

You’ve got obtained your Apple HomePod or HomePod Mini banging out the tunes, with their spectacular 360-degree audio, and you have Siri turning in your good lights and whacking up your heating.

However that is simply scratching the floor of what Apple’s good audio system can do.

Listed below are 30 of the most popular Siri suggestions, methods and options – and do not forget to take a look at our round-up of the important HomePod instructions.

1. Stream Spotify in your HomePod (different streaming companies can be found)

Within the US, Pandora has been reside for HomePod customers for a while – which means which you could set it because the default playback service and use Siri to navigate its digital catalog.

Nevertheless, Spotify nonetheless is not one of many music streaming companions obtainable by way of HomePod – although it was confirmed method again in 2020 in a briefing with The Ambient that Apple “would like to work with Spotify.”

There’s a workaround for utilizing Spotify and different streaming companies not absolutely on board, although.

Merely open the app in your iPhone and select the track you need. Click on the Units Out there button on the backside, choose Extra Units after which select your HomePod speaker. With AirPlay 2, you’ll be able to even have the HomePod play with different AirPlay 2-supporting audio system, just like the Sonos One or the Libratone Zipp 2.

2. Play radio stations that are not Beats 1

The above technique additionally works with any radio station that has a web-based app, whether or not it is by BBC Sounds, TuneIn, or utilizing a radio station’s devoted iOS app.

Simply search for the AirPlay emblem within the app you are utilizing and select your HomePod from the record of accessible units.

3. Create stereo HomePod sound

Music fanatics could let you know to disregard claims of 360-degree sound and the like – for the purist’s music expertise, you want a stereo setup, with a left and proper pair delivering the sounds artists supposed.

The excellent news is that is potential together with your HomePod – together with multi-room audio, as properly.

Should you’re organising a brand new HomePod, and also you select so as to add it to a room the place a HomePod already lives, then you definitely’ll see a pop-up asking you if you wish to create a stereo pair. You possibly can solely pair the identical fashions of HomePod although, so no Mini and unique mixing.

As for multi-room audio, you’ll be able to go forward and pair your HomePod to your Sonos audio system because of AirPlay 2.

4. Ship and skim messages by HomePod

Greasy fingers? Simply cannot be bothered to seek out your cellphone? You possibly can ship a message by the HomePod. Simply say, “Hey Siri, ship a message to [X]” then say what you need the non-public assistant to say. It will ask you for those who’re able to ship it earlier than it does so.

You possibly can even have Siri on HomePod learn your newest textual content messages to you, however you will must have ‘Private Requests’ switched on. Head into the House app and go into the settings for the house wherein the HomePod lives. Faucet on the icon together with your title on it underneath Individuals then choose Private Requests on the backside. You can ask Siri issues like, “Learn the newest message from [X]”.

Notice that beneath it there is a second choice for including authentication. You possibly can change this on to cease different individuals from sending messages and inflicting different havoc together with your account.

5. Make calls on HomePod with Siri

A newer characteristic of the HomePod enables you to ask Siri to make and take calls on the speaker. So to begin with, ensure that your HomePod is updated. First, you will must allow Private Requests. Go to your HomePod settings and scroll down, you will discover Private Requests underneath Siri. Swap it on.

Then, simply say, “Hey Siri, name [Name]”. You may also say, “Hey Siri, reply my cellphone” to choose up and “Hey Siri, hold up” once you’re accomplished. Speaking in your iPhone and struggling to listen to the opposite individual? You possibly can switch a name to the HomePod. Faucet the audio icon on the iPhone and choose the HomePod out of your record of units.

6. Use Siri as a HomePod translator

Questioning how one can say one thing in one other language? Surprise no extra – Siri can translate English into French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Mandarin.

Merely ask, “Hey Siri, how do you say [word] in [language]?” to increase your vocabulary.

7. Change Siri’s voice in your HomePod

Siri’s British accent could be very robotic, and, after some time, it might probably additionally get very irritating. Way more pure are the American ones on provide – each female and male – and the Australian one positively has essentially the most character.

Head into your iPhone or iPad’s House app, lengthy press, or 3D Contact the HomePod’s tile and also you get the choices to change up a few of Apple’s private assistant’s settings – language, default voice and the like. You may also select to mute the Apple digital assistant, if you need.

8. Develop your music trivia data

Siri’s musicologist expertise aren’t restricted to skipping tracks, rewinding and fast-forwarding. Apple’s digital assistant is sort of the music buff – it is obtained all of the data (properly, it is obtained a direct hyperlink to Wikipedia, no less than).

Whereas listening to a track, you’ll be able to ask issues like, “Hey Siri, who performs the drums on this band?”… “What 12 months was this album launched?”… “Inform me one thing about this artist” and so forth. On daily basis is a faculty day with Siri.

9. Automate your good house with Siri

Siri can management your HomeKit-enabled equipment out of your HomePod, that is a given. However a way more pure, and funky, method of getting Siri working tougher in your good house is to create scenes that it might probably management.

For instance, arrange a bedtime routine wherein Siri turns off all of the lights, prompts the alarm and locks the entrance door – the place a easy, “Hey Siri, it is bedtime,” get the scene began. Any scenes created within the House app may be activated utilizing Siri in your HomePod.

10. Management HomePod music with an iPhone

One of many huge promoting factors of HomePod is clearly voice management for music playback, however there are occasions when utilizing your cellphone makes extra sense. Apple has you coated on this entrance.

From throughout the iOS Music app, select the track you need, click on the AirPlay emblem and select your HomePod. Or, from the lock display screen, you will see the Music widget – once more, simply faucet that AirPlay icon and do the identical as above.

Lastly, from the Management Heart, both long-press or 3D Contact the music tile and you will get a display screen with all of your present music playbacks in your Apple units. Once more, simply hit the AirPlay button to switch a track over to your HomePod, or select the HomePod part if one thing is already streaming in your good speaker.

Keep in mind, with AirPlay 2 you’ll be able to pair two HomePods collectively simply from the AirPlay menu and even pair the HomePod with one other AirPlay 2-supporting speaker.

11. Utilizing HomePod as a TV speaker

TV audio system are crap – that is a reality. And whereas a HomePod is not essentially designed to be a TV speaker, it does a fairly good job of room-filling sound to your motion pictures and TV exhibits.

Till now this has solely been obtainable with the Apple TV, however with AirPlay 2 touchdown on TVs from the likes of Samsung, LG, Vizio, and Sony – the HomePod may be paired with third-party units.

When watching one thing out of your Apple TV, you’ll be able to maintain down the play/pause button on the Apple TV distant and select the HomePod choice. If you need it to be the default speaker completely, go to your Apple TV settings, choose the Video and Audio part, select Audio Output and choose your HomePod.

It will get even higher when utilizing the Apple TV 4K although – As a part of Apple’s new ‘House Theater with Apple 4K’ the first-gen HomePod can be utilized to type an immersive encompass sound expertise, with digital 2.1, 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos all on provide.

The caveat right here is you solely get that encompass sound motion when you’re watching stuff by way of your Apple TV 4K; you can’t simply plug your HomePod immediately into your TV and get Atmos motion on all the things.

Nevertheless, with Apple TV now supporting just about all the key streaming companies – Netflix, Prime, HBO, Disney+, Hulu, and extra – it’s a fairly compelling argument to make that single HDMI enter change to your AV setup.

12. Get the headlines out of your HomePod

Merely say, “Hey Siri, what’s within the information?” and your good speaker will learn you the information bulletin – and there is a vary of sources on provide as properly.

The excellent news is that these information readings are region-specific too – for instance, BBC or Sky Information within the UK.

13. Get assist together with your spelling from Siri

Unsure how one can spell a phrase? Haven’t any worry, Siri’s obtained your again. Simply ask, “Hey Siri, how do you spell [word]?” and your good speaker will let you know what’s what.

14. Beef up the safety of your HomePod

Loads has been fabricated from the shortage of help for a number of customers on HomePod, and whereas there isn’t any hidden iPhone settings menu for altering that, there’s a multi-user menu of observe, though it is centered round AirPlay playback.

Utilizing the iOS House app, you’ll be able to restrict your speaker’s streaming to only individuals in your Apple House or individuals in your community. You may also add a password, for those who like, or throw warning to the wind and go away it open in order that anybody shut sufficient with an iPhone may stream their music.

15. Block specific content material in your HomePod

To get to the meatier HomePod settings, you will need to head into your iPhone’s House app. Throughout the HomePod’s menus, you will see choices to set alarms, change up a few of the default settings and block specific content material.

The restrictions obtainable are depending on which nation’s retailer you utilize. Within the States, you’ll block any music with a Parental Advisory Label from the Recording Business Affiliation of America. Principally, music with naughty phrases.

16. Manufacturing unit reset your Apple HomePod

In case your HomePod is performing up, is unresponsive, otherwise you need to promote it or give it away, then you definitely’ll need to arduous reset it.

You’ve got obtained two strategies for resetting your HomePod. Firstly, on the House app, press and maintain the HomePod tile, faucet ‘Particulars’, scroll to the underside and choose ‘Take away Accent’.

From the HomePod itself, you’ll be able to reset it by unplugging it, ready 5 seconds, then plugging it again in. After one other 5 seconds, maintain your finger on the highest of the HomePod till the white spinning gentle turns crimson. Maintain holding your finger down and you will hear Siri say that your HomePod is about to reset. You may hear three beeps, then you’ll be able to carry your finger, because it’s all accomplished.

17. Add a track to an Apple Music playlist

While you’re listening to Apple Music or Beats Radio you’ll be able to merely say, “Hey Siri, add this track to [name of playlist]” and it will be added on to the tip of that playlist.

18. Activate a HomePod Siri tone

When you have your HomePod on a shelf above your eye degree, the possibilities are you will battle to note that Siri has heard you. If that is the case, the Siri tone could also be helpful.

To show it on, head into the HomePod’s settings menu throughout the House app in your iPhone and test the Sound When Utilizing Siri choice.

19. Stream sound from Mac to HomePod

The Spotify app itself would not record AirPlay audio system within the units record, and the Mac AirPlay choice within the menu bar solely lists Apple TVs. However you’ll be able to play any sound out of your Mac – Spotify and extra – over AirPlay to your HomePod. Dive into your System Preferences. From there, select Sound and choose your HomePod because the gadget for sound output.

20. Use your HomePod as your HomeKit hub

A simple tip right here – one which requires no effort in your half. HomePod works as a hub for HomeKit, letting you management your good HomeKit home equipment together with your voice by way of Siri.

And the excellent news is that it’ll robotically add itself as a Hub throughout the House app. Clearly, with the HomePod probably to remain in a single place, it makes extra sense to have it as your HomeKit hub than an iPad (though an Apple TV continues to be preferable, as there are just a few further options).

The HomePod Mini is definitely the very best House Hub you need to use because it additionally boasts Thread connectivity.

21. Allow VoiceOver

Apple’s finest accessibility characteristic can be on the HomePod, which means Siri can announce which controls you are touching.

To allow it, head into the HomePod settings, scroll all the way down to Accessibility, and choose VoiceOver. Here is a information that dives deeper into the characteristic and what it might probably do.

22. Get Siri to be your sous chef

Should you’re like us, Siri is massively useful within the kitchen. There’s nothing like attempting to manually set a timer with flour in your fingers to show you the worth of a voice assistant.

To provide you an additional leg-up when doing the psychological math, strive asking Siri in your HomePod, “Hey Siri, what number of ounces are in a cup?” Or, for those who’re feeling like a special sort of night, possibly strive, “Hey Siri, what’s in a White Russian?”

23. Share your HomeKit entry for HomePod

Having a HomePod is properly and good, however you would possibly need to make it possible for different individuals in your house can reap the benefits of it, too.

Should you’re utilizing your HomePod as a wise house hub, you may also add different customers in your ‘House’ app, permitting them to manage the good speaker and all its paired units similar to you would possibly. You may virtually really feel the duty slipping off your shoulders.

24. Household grocery record

If you need anybody in your house to have the ability to contribute to your grocery record, it simply takes a easy tweak. Head to your iPhone’s Settings app, then click on Reminders after which iCloud. Select Household and everybody can have entry to the grocery record.

25. Inform Siri what you want

Whereas Siri is enjoying music for you, do not be afraid to say “Hey Siri, I like this” or “Hey Siri, I hate this.” Siri will take your style under consideration and modify what music it performs for you based mostly in your likes and dislikes.

26. Arrange a number of customers

The HomePod and HomePod Mini can now acknowledge particular person voices from as much as six customers, so that you at all times get your personal data – like calendars and playlists – when interacting with it.

It is best to truly get a immediate to set this up robotically, supplied you have met sure standards that Apple has set out right here (updating your iPhone to the newest iOS, having Bluetooth and “Hey Siri” turned on, and so forth).

To customise how your HomePod interacts with you personally, head to the House app in your cellphone, and faucet the House icon, House Settings, then your own home setup and your person profile underneath Individuals.

27. Rename your HomePod / HomePod Mini

There are every kind of the way you’ll be able to customise your HomePod or HomePod Mini, and also you won’t have come throughout all of them but.

One thing fast and simple you are able to do is to rename your HomePod good speaker – simply lengthy press on the gadget within the House app, then faucet on Settings, then faucet on the present title.

28. Get bodily together with your HomePod

The HomePod good audio system may be operated by bodily contact in addition to by voice instructions and your different Apple units.

In addition to the quantity controls, you’ll be able to faucet the highest of the speaker to play or pause your music (or Siri), double-tap to skip a monitor, triple-tap to skip again a monitor, and contact and maintain to activate Siri.

29. Discover songs by their lyrics

Siri in your HomePod is sensible sufficient to have the ability to determine songs based mostly on their lyrics (so long as you have not misheard them and may get them proper, in fact).

Say “Hey Siri, what’s that track that goes…” adopted by a line or two to get a match – you’ll be able to then ask to listen to the track immediately as properly, for those who like.

30. Use your HomePods in a number of rooms

Should you’ve obtained a couple of HomePods, you’ll be able to assign them to completely different rooms and use your cellphone or a Siri command to maneuver audio from one room to a different – very useful for those who’re transferring from the kitchen to the lounge and need your music to comply with you.

Go to Management Heart in your cellphone and lengthy press on the music enjoying tile, and also you’re in a position to configure the a number of room setup additional.