HomePod mini FAQ: All your questions answered

Are you thinking of purchasing a HomePod mini? Or maybe you ordered one but still have questions about it? Look no further, as we are here to help with answers to some of the most common questions surrounding Apple’s small smart speaker.

HomePod mini in white, blue, orange, yellow, and black colors

What is a HomePod mini?

A HomePod mini is a smaller version of Apple’s smart speaker, the HomePod. Released in 2020, the HomePod mini lets you listen to music, answer phone calls, set alarms, control your smart home accessories, send Intercom messages, and use Siri for simple requests.

Related: How I use my HomePods

What’s the difference between HomePod and HomePod mini?

The most obvious answer to this FAQ is size and sound quality. A HomePod 2nd generation measures 6.6 inches tall, 5.6 inches wide, and weighs 5.16 pounds (2.3 kg). The HomePod mini is just 3.3 inches tall, 3.9 inches wide, and weighs 0.76 pounds (345 grams). Check out the snapshot below from Apple for more:

HomePod mini and HomePod differences

For a complete comparison, including system requirements and device compatibility, check out Apple’s website for the HomePod mini and the bigger HomePod.

What is the U1 chip in the HomePod mini?

In a nutshell, the U1 (Ultra Wideband) chip uses positioning technology (UWB) to provide precise location and communication with other U1-equipped devices like the iPhone 11 and later models and Apple Watch Series 6 or later.

Will the HomePod mini work with a bigger HomePod?

The answer to this question is yes and no. While you cannot pair the speakers together for “stereo sound,”  the smart speakers will work to simultaneously stream sound from your other devices. If you want two speakers that you can pair for stereo sound, you can use two HomePod minis together or two HomePods together.

How much does the HomePod mini cost?

You can buy a HomePod mini in either white, orange, yellow, blue, or space gray for $99 from Apple. In comparison, the bigger HomePod costs $299.

What kind of sound does the HomePod mini have?

With computational audio for real-time tuning and an awesome bass extension, the HomePod mini’s sound booms much larger than its physical size. And the HomePod mini offers 360-degree audio. So, the device pushes sound out from the bottom of the speaker, which means no matter where you are in relation to it, you’ll hear crisp, clear sound.

homepod mini inside

Is the HomePod mini wireless?

The answer to this FAQ is two-fold. The HomePod mini is not wireless in the sense that you don’t have to plug it into an audio source to use it. But, just like HomePod, you’ll need to plug in the HomePod mini to give it power.

However, the HomePod mini does have 802.11n Wi-Fi which allows you to connect to it from your iPhone or iPad wirelessly.

Does the HomePod mini have a battery in it?

HomePod and HomePod mini do not have an internal battery. So, they are not a replacement for your portable Bluetooth speakers. Instead, you need to have them plugged into a power source at all times to work.

Is the HomePod mini portable?

To go along with the “is it wireless” question above, the HomePod mini is portable in that it’s small enough to be moved to another room in your home easily, as long as it can be plugged in.

Is the HomePod mini waterproof?

The HomePod mini is not waterproof but is water-resistant. So, while a couple of small splashes, if it’s near your sink, may be fine, submerging it in water is not.

Can HomePod mini control Apple TV?

You can use a HomePod mini as a smart home hub, so yes, you can control many things on your Apple TV with it. For instance, if you’re watching a movie, you can ask Siri on HomePod mini to pause or rewind the show.

Can the HomePod mini be used as a Bluetooth, TV, and computer speaker?

You can use the HomePod mini as a speaker for your TV using Apple TV. You cannot connect it to your other smart TVs directly.

The HomePod mini comes with Bluetooth 5.0, but this is not for audio streaming. It also lacks input or output ports for audio. So, you can use it as an output speaker for your Mac using AirPlay and not Bluetooth.

Can I connect HomePod to non-Apple devices?

You can stream audio to HomePod only via AirPlay and not Bluetooth. As a result, there is no straightforward way to connect it to an Android phone or Windows PC and use it as a speaker.

Can the HomePod mini be used as an alarm clock?

Yes, you can set alarms on the HomePod mini as well as the HomePod. You can also change the alarm sound to an Apple Music song rather than the singular alarm tone.

Can HomePod mini play Spotify, YouTube Music, and Pandora?

Yes, you can, and we have a tutorial explaining how to do that.

Does the HomePod mini listen to conversations?

The HomePod mini listens for “Hey Siri,” followed by your request. So, your private conversations are not recorded, tracked, or sent out to the world. You must specifically ask for help or use the touch features to activate Siri on the HomePod mini, just like on the HomePod.

Is the HomePod mini worth buying?

This type of question is completely subjective. But to help you decide, if you’re still unsure, think about how you would use the HomePod mini. Do you want a great-sounding, affordable speaker for listening to music? Do you want an easy way to make Siri requests? Do you want to use HomeKit to manage your smart home? Do you want to use features like alarms, timers, Intercom, and more?

The biggest question is: Do you plan to use the HomePod mini as more than just an audio output device (speaker)? If the answer is yes and you can afford the $99 price tag, then the HomePod mini is definitely worth it if you want a smart speaker.

Be sure to check out our roundup of reviews from others for the HomePod mini.

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