A SONG AND DANCE
Setting up HomePod is easy, but there are some semihidden features that make it loads better – let’s look at them
01 TAP TO SET UP
Before you begin setting up HomePod, make sure your iOS version is up to date. Do this on your iPhone or iPad in Settings > General > Software Update. Once this has completed, tap your iPhone or iPad against the HomePod to start setup. It will automatically recognise your device - tap ‘Set up’ to begin the process.
04 MAKE A REQUEST
One useful feature of the HomePod is the ability to make personal requests with it, such as adding reminders or reading messages. If the HomePod is on your Apple ID, you can enable or disable this feature in the Home app by tapping the arrow in the top left corner. Under People, tap your name and turn on Personal Requests.
02 FINISH INSTALLING
Choose where your HomePod is going to live – select an area from the list – and if you’re not already signed up for Apple Music, an option to try it will appear. You can ignore this for now, by tapping ‘Not Now’. Tap ‘OK’ on the next screen, tap ‘Transfer Settings’ and your HomePod will finish setup. Tap ‘Done’ on the last screen.
05 AIRPLAY TO IT
Any app that plays audio can stream its sound to the HomePod over AirPlay. In the app, look for the icon of circles with a triangle intersecting them, tap it, then choose your HomePod for the list. You can also use Control Centre – open it, tap the top-right of audio section, then choose your HomePod from the list.
03 ADJUST SETTINGS
Inside the Home app on your iOS device, you’ll see that your HomePod has been added to your My Home area. You can turn it on or off by tapping its icon. To adjust its settings press the icon hard and tap ‘Details’. Here you can change its name, adjust the way Siri works and manage the music that HomePod plays.
06 REMOTE CONTROL
You can control your HomePod without talking to it or touching it. Open Control Centre on your iOS device, tap the top-right corner of the audio section. Under the entry for whatever’s playing on that device, you’ll see an entry for the HomePod – tap it to reveal play, pause, skip and a handy volume slider!