HomePod mini Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Article ID = 273
Article Title = HomePod mini Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 14th October 2020
Article Last Updated = 19th September 2023
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?273

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about the HomePod mini

Q. What is the HomePod mini?

A. It's a newer, smaller, cheaper version of Apple's full-size HomePod high quality speaker system with Apple Music/Siri integration.

Q. When is the HomePod mini European launch dates?

A. The HomePod mini was announced on the 13th October 2020 with pre-orders in the UK starting on 6th November and first availability/shipping on the 16th November.

Q. What colours is the HomePod mini available in?

A. Space grey or white. On the 18th October 2021 Apple announced new colours of orange, yellow and blue that will start shipping in November 2021.

Q. How does the HomePod mini connect to my network/the internet?

A. Via wireless/Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi‑Fi with MIMO).

Q. What are the requirements for using a HomePod mini?

A. The following are required:

802.11n Wi-Fi Internet access
iOS/iPadOS 14 or later running on an:

iPhone 6s / SE (1st generation) or later
or iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation) or later, iPad Air 2 or later, iPad mini 4 or later
or iPod touch (7th generation)

Q. Will the HomePod mini require an Apple Music subscription?

A. An Apple Music subscription is not required but Apple states an Apple Music subscription is required "for full music functionality".

Q. Will the HomePod mini work with iTunes Home Sharing?

A. No.

Q. If an Apple Music subscription is not required and iTunes Home Sharing does not work how do I play music/audio?

A. You can play music/audio from :

iTunes Music Purchases
iCloud Music Library with an Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription
Apple Music Radio or episodes on demand
Third-party music services (a subscription may be required for some services)
Radio stations e.g. in the UK you can listen to Capital FM, LBC UK, Heart UK and Smooth UK
News briefings
Apple Podcasts
Beats 1 Live Radio

…or you can use "Airplay" to directly play music/audio from other supported hardware. Apple lists the following:

iPhone
iPad
iPod touch
Apple TV
Mac

…with the following audio formats supported (this is the list that the original HomePod supports so for the moment we're assuming it's the same for the new HomePod mini):

HE-AAC (V1)
AAC (16 to 320 Kbps)
protected AAC (from iTunes Store)
MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps)
MP3 VBR
Apple Lossless
AIFF
WAV
FLAC

Q. Does the HomePod mini work as a BlueTooth speaker?

A. No.

Q. Can the HomePod mini work with iPhone features?

A. Yes - HomePod mini can be used as a speakerphone with iPhone for crisp and clear audio quality.

Q. Does the HomePod mini support messaging/third party apps?

A. Yes - Through SiriKit, HomePod mini supports third-party messaging apps, so users can ask Siri to send a message to a friend or colleague using apps like WhatsApp. Reminders, note-taking and to-do list apps like Things and Evernote will automatically work with HomePod mini, so Siri can set reminders, create a new list, mark items as complete, or create and modify notes.

Q. Does the HomePod mini support AirPlay?

A. Yes - in fact it uses the new AirPlay 2 protocol.

Q. Does the HomePod mini support multiple speakers (around the house)?

A. Yes - they link to any speakers that support AirPlay 2. Multi-room speaker support requires AirPlay 2.

Q. I'm a Hi-Fi buff and prefer listening to music in proper stereo rather than 360° sound, so this isn't for me right?

A. If there's more than one HomePod mini set up in the same room, the speakers can be set up as a stereo pair for an even more immersive sound experience. Stereo speaker support requires AirPlay 2.

Q. Can I create a stereo pair with an original full-size HomePod?

A. No.

Q. I've created a stereo pair but they do not work in stereo using audio from my Mac computer?

A. macOS 11.3 or later is required for this playback feature on a Mac computer.

Q. I have macOS 11.3 or later installed on my Mac computer but I do not have another Apple device, so how do I create the stereo pair in the first place?

A. You need to pair them using the Home application first, then you can select the pair as an output device using the Sound control/System Preference.

Q. Can Siri recognise more than one user's voice?

A. Yes, Siri can recognise the voices of up to six different family members on HomePod mini and even create a personalised experience for each person.

Q. If Siri is listening all the time is Apple uploading what I say to their servers/listening to me?

Q. What about my privacy?

A. The HomePod mini only records when you say "Hey Siri" and even then what is uploaded to Apple is anonymised and utilises end-to-end encryption to secure the data transfer.

Q. How do I know when Siri is recording?

A. There is an LED on the top of the HomePod mini that lights up when Siri is recording.

Q. If the HomePod mini is playing audio/music does "Hey Siri" still work?

A. Yes.

Q. Does the HomePod mini do anything else other than play audio/music?

A. Yes. It has Siri so Siri can be used for all sorts of questions and answers without any audio/music being involved. In addition a HomePod mini can be used as a HomeKit hub to control a wide range of HomeKit smart home accessories. The HomePod mini also includes a new "Intercom" feature so that you can easily communicate with your family members by voice and they can also respond via their HomePod or other Apple devices.

Q. Has Apple added new features over time via software updates?

A. Yes:
On 18th September 2023 Apple added the following new features via iOS 17:

Siri support for AirPlay allows you to start an AirPlay session from your iPhone or iPad directly on your HomePod using just your voice‌
New call controls enable you to mute or unmute a call
Enhance Dialogue on HomePod (2nd generation) gives you the option to hear spoken voices more clearly over background sounds when paired with Apple TV 4K

On 18th September 2023 Apple released HomePod software version 17 via iOS 17.

On 24th October 2022 Apple added the following new features via iOS 16.1:

Support for Matter‌

On 15th September 2022 Apple released HomePod software version 16 via iOS 16.

On 20th July 2022 Apple added the following new features via iOS 15.6:

Siri voice recognition support for Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Swedish, and Norwegian‌

On 14th March 2022 Apple added the following new features via iOS 15.4:

Support for captive Wi-Fi networks‌

On 13th December 2021 Apple added the following new features via iOS 15.2:

Apple Music Voice Plan support‌

On 25th October 2021 Apple added the following new features via iOS 15.1:

‌(Apple) Lossless Audio via Apple Music‌
Dolby Atmos
Spatial audio - only for original HomePod models

On 26th January 2021 Apple added the following new features via iOS 14.4 only for HomePod mini in conjunction with Ultra Wideband (U1) equipped iPhones:

‌Hand off music with visual, audible, and haptic effects from ‌iPhone‌ to ‌HomePod mini‌
Get personalized listening suggestions on ‌iPhone‌ when it is next to ‌HomePod mini‌‌‌
‌Media controls automatically appear without having to unlock ‌iPhone‌ when it is close to ‌HomePod mini‌‌‌

On 5th November 2020 Apple added the following new features via iOS 14.2:

‌Ask ‌Siri‌ "What's my update?" to hear a personal snapshot of your day that includes the news, weather, traffic, reminders, and calendar appointments‌‌
Intercom using ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, Apple Watch, ‌AirPods‌, and ‌CarPlay‌Siri‌‌
‌Connect ‌HomePod‌ to ‌Apple TV‌ 4K and enjoy stereo, surround sound, and Dolby Atmos audio. Add a second ‌HomePod‌ for a more immersive soundstage‌‌

On 20th October 2020 Apple added the following new features via iOS 14.1:

Support for ‌HomePod mini‌: Setup and automatically transfer your Apple ID, ‌Apple Music‌, ‌Siri‌ and Wi-Fi settings to ‌HomePod mini‌
‌Siri:‌‌

‌Siri‌ suggestions appear in Maps when you ask ‌HomePod‌ for information about a location‌
Web search requests to ‌HomePod‌ can be sent from ‌HomePod‌ to your ‌iPhone‌‌
‌Siri‌ can now stop alarms, timers, and media across ‌HomePod‌ speakers‌
Voice recognition support for Podcasts for multiple users in the home‌

Intercom:‌

Ask ‌HomePod‌ to make announcements to other ‌HomePod‌ speakers throughout your home‌
Intercom to all ‌HomePod‌ speakers‌
Intercom to a ‌HomePod‌ in a specific room or zone‌

Other improvements and fixes:‌

Add music to your alarms and wake up to your personal song, playlist, or radio station from ‌Apple Music‌‌
Fixes an issue where stereo pairs can sometimes play out of sync‌
Improves reliability when using ‌Siri‌ to control multiple speakers‌
Optimizes ‌Siri‌ performance‌

Q. How do I update my HomePod mini?

A. By default, HomePod mini should install updates automatically (as long as it is connected to the internet). You can also check manually.

Article Keywords: HomePod mini iTunes iCloud Siri AirPlay Apple Music

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