All AirPlay devices appear in the Sound pane of your System Preferences app. Just keep in mind when you choose AirPlay, the device that sends audio to your HomePod takes control of the HomePod so if you interrupt the audio doing something else like watching a video, the music or sound stops instantly. You can also select and stream Spotify tracks, Overcast podcasts and other audio on your iOS device using AirPlay 1. You can even use your iTunes shortcuts to control the HomePod. What you do on your iTunes from clicking on the volume, navigating and selecting new music, playing or pausing will all happen on your HomePod. Your iTunes will instantly control the HomePod remotely.
#Home control homepod tv
You can also see devices here that you can access remotely such as your Apple TV and HomePod.
Hence if you choose your iPhone, music will start playing on your device without the HomePod. This is a remote control interface that controls all the audio devices that you can access via your iOS device.
You can control your HomePod without calling out commands right from your iPhone or iPad. Here’s how you can control the HomePod directly from your iOS device (iPhone or iPad) or Mac.įrom Your iOS Device Using Control Center You also can access the HomePod from your Apple TV as one of your audio sources. You can control your new HomePod using the Home app and not the Settings app as you might expect. Siri ain't home.Unlike other Apple devices that come with a dedicated app, touch screen or keyboard, HomePod is hands-free. You'll still be able to use AirPlay to stream your music from your compatible device to your HomePod Mini, but you'll have to use that device to control it. Apple Music will work just fine, as will radio stations through TuneIn and iHeartRadio, but if you're subscribed to Spotify, Amazon Music, or something else, Siri won't be able to help you out. Unfortunately, if you're only investing in one HomePod Mini, you'll miss out on both these features, as well as Intercom.Īnother letdown with the HomePod Mini is its limited support for third-party music services. Or, you can keep them in separate rooms, and as you’re moving from one to the other, say “Hey Siri, play this in the ”. By having two on different sides of the same room, you can create an immersive surround sound effect.
Has it also made my life easier? You bet it has.Īnother benefit of having two or more HomePods is the ability to create stereo sound. Simply say to your iPhone or Smart Watch, “Hey Siri, Intercom, does anyone need anything while I’m out?” Has this feature made me lazier? Heck yes. You can even Intercom your home when you’re out. All you have to do is say, “Hey Siri, Intercom, dinner’s ready” and your message will play on every HomePod (and even iPhones and Apple Watches on the same network). It’s exactly what it sounds like - you can place multiple HomePods around in different rooms and speak to one or all of them at once.
By far and away my favorite feature of the HomePod Mini (also found on the O.G.