How to set up your new HomePod

From connecting your HomePod to your Wi-Fi network to setting up Siri, this guide will walk you through the simple steps to get your HomePod up and running in no time, thanks to Apple’s Automatic Setup feature. 

HomePod image with 'Welcome HomePod' written on top

Automatic Setup

Automatic Setup lets you hold your new Apple device, like an Apple TV or HomePod, near an iPhone or iPad, which automatically transfers common preferences and personal settings, including your Wi-Fi passwords, Apple Music subscription, Siri, and so forth.

Automatic Setup uses Bluetooth proximity information to detect presence. HomePod has Bluetooth and uses it for pairing and discovery. As we previously explained, you cannot use your HomePod as a regular Bluetooth speaker. You can AirPlay audio to it.

How to set up a HomePod using Automatic Setup

1) Plug your new or restored HomePod into the wall outlet.

2) Wait for a chime and a pulsing white light to appear on the top of the HomePod, indicating the device is ready to be configured for the first time.

Now, bring your unlocked iPhone or iPad with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled very close to your HomePod. You’ll see a set-up animation card on the screen. Tap Set Up.

Tip: If the card doesn’t show up, be sure the iOS device is unlocked, has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled in Settings, and is held within a few centimeters of your HomePod.

3) Point your iPhone or iPad to the top of your HomePod’s glowing screen to scan. Alternatively, you can tap Enter Passcode Manually, and your HomePod will speak a four-digit code. Enter this code on your iPhone screen.

Set up Home by scanning its code or entering code manually

4) Select the room your HomePod is in from the pre-populated list of room names, such as Living Room, Bedroom, Kitchen, Dining Room, etc., and tap Continue. Your HomePod will be added to the iOS Home app and assigned to the room you specify.

Note: People who use HomeKit at multiple locations may be asked to select a home they’d like their HomePod to be associated with. After the speaker is up and running, you can use the Home app to change its name, room assignment, and other settings.

5) Agree to the terms and conditions if you do.

Pick a room for your HomePod during set up

6) The next screen lets you transfer settings like iCloud account, Wi-Fi network, Apple Music subscription, and other things from your iPhone to your HomePod. Tap Transfer Settings to continue.

7) Optional: If you have an Apple TV, you’ll be asked whether you want to use your HomePod as your Apple TV speaker. Tap Use as Apple TV Speaker or hit Not Now (you can set it up later in Apple TV settings).

Move account and settings from iPhone to HomePod

8) The next screen allows you to configure Siri. Tap Continue to proceed.

9) Now, you can choose to have your HomePod recognize your voice.

Set up Siri on HomePod

10) The next card lets you choose if you want to allow Siri on HomePod to access your messages, reminders, calendar events, etc., for personal requests. Tap Enable Personal Requests if you’d like to turn this feature on. Otherwise, hit Not Now to set this up later in the Home app.

11) Finally, enter your Apple ID password and hit Sign In.

Personal Requests and Apple ID password on HomePod

In a moment, your HomePod will be ready. Tap Done to exit the setup successfully.

Congratulations, you can now start using your spanking new HomePod!

HomePod is setup and ready for use

Note: Even though the setup is complete, it may take a couple of minutes for your HomePod to finish configuring. When that happens, you’ll see ‘Configuring‘ under your HomePod name in the Home app.

HomePod set up successfully

To verify that the speaker is set up correctly, open the Home app on your iOS device and look for a HomePod icon in the Home or Rooms tab (it’s assigned to the room you specified during setup). Use the Home app on your iOS device to change HomePod’s name, room assignment, and other settings.

HomePod tile in iPhone Home app

You may hear the speaker adjust the sound during the first song played after setup or when you move it to a new location. Remember, HomePod constantly tracks its position in the room and automatically adapts the audio to sound great wherever you place it.

Couldn’t set up your HomePod?

If the setup card doesn’t appear automatically when you bring your iOS device near your HomePod, or the Automatic Setup process fails at some point, you will need to power off the HomePod, turn it on again, and restart the setup process. If that doesn’t work, configure the speaker manually through the Home app.

How to set up HomePod manually

The HomePod setup process requires both the Home app and the Music app to be installed on your iOS device. If you don’t have these apps installed, download them from App Store.

1) Open the Home app on your iOS device.

2) Tap the plus button (+) from the top and go to Add Accessory > More options.

3) If you see your HomePod, tap it under Nearby accessories and continue the setup.

Add Accessory manually in Home app on iPhone

Still can’t set up HomePod?

If your HomePod doesn’t show up on the Automatic Setup or the Home app, you’ll have to restore your HomePod using a Mac/PC or directly from the device itself. Once that’s done, you’ll surely see the regular setup option that we mentioned at the top of this post.

Useful HomePod tips: