There is no physical switch to mute the HomePod microphone. However, by using the Home app or just by asking the speaker, you can turn off the always-on "Hey Siri" ability of your HomePod and HomePod mini. This tutorial shows you how to do that.
Is Siri on your HomePod unable to play specific songs, playlists, or artists on Apple Music when you ask it to? This troubleshooting guide lists all the possible solutions to fix this issue.
Like other Apple devices, your HomePod permits you to set custom alarms.
You can create multiple alarms using just your voice, optionally add some context to them, if you like, and more. Your Siri speaker will signal you when one of your created alarms goes off.
Siri on HomePod allows you to create as many alarms as you want, manage them, remove ones you no longer need, turn specific alarms on or off, create recurring alarms, and more.
Alarms do not synchronize across multiple devices via iCloud. Any alarms created using your HomePod will not appear on your Mac, iPhone, or other devices, and vice versa.
Due to its lack of a screen, HomePod's means of expressing itself are limited to the pulsating, colorful dot on its slick top surface. The design and implementation of the expressive light undoubtedly make for a masterclass in giving an inanimate speaker an air of personality.
While we do have a detailed breakdown of which of HomePod's lights exactly mean what, what we have not done yet is call attention to the fact that the lights can also be shut down - and no, I'm not talking about pulling the plug from the power outlet.
Why would you want your HomePod to become a stale, expressionless object? Well, perhaps you don't want your HomePod to emit as much light in the dark or prefer the look of a sleek black or white speaker sans the play of colors on top! Whatever floats your boat, each to their own, you get the gist. Maybe you just appreciate knowing that there is the option without ever seriously contemplating depriving HomePod of its quirky LED.
Whatever the reason you might decide to neuter your HomePod, there is a simple switch to do (and undo) just that.
Check out these 7 different ways to pause and resume music playback on your HomePod using your voice, the touch surface, or your iPhone.
You set up your new HomePod for the first time by bringing it near an iPhone or iPad, which prompts Apple's handy Automatic Setup feature to transfer settings such as saved Wi-Fi passwords and your Apple Music subscription information from your iOS device to your new HomePod.
If you would like to associate a different Apple Music account with your HomePod than the one you're currently using on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can do that with just a few taps. We'll show you how to change the Apple Music account just for your HomePod.
Knowing what the various status lights on the top of your HomePod convey is an important feedback mechanism when using the speaker's touch controls and other interactions.
Learn how to turn off personal requests on your HomePod if you do not want it to access and speak information related to your Contacts, Messages, and similar other sensitive services.
Now that we've had some time to play with the HomePod, we've compiled all the best tips, tricks, and customizations. Learn a workaround for setting multiple timers, how to add songs to the Up Next queue, and much more in our hands-on video.
Aside from using Siri, there are a variety of touch-based actions you can use to control your HomePod. We walk through those HomePod gestures in our guide and hands-on video.