How to add your HomePod to the Home app and Wi-Fi
Using my HomePod Mini as my smart home hub comes with its rewards and challenges, but one thing’s for sure: it’s a great addition to any Apple ecosystem.
The HomePod Mini is a small, spherical smart speaker that works as a hub for HomeKit, Apple’s smart home system.
Besides being a smart home hub, it is a Apple HomePod Mini makes for a fantastic speaker with surprisingly crisp, clear and powerful sound for its small package.
Also: 5 ways AirTags can make your life easier
If you’ve just gotten a HomePod for your home or just reset your current HomePod, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of setup to get you started.
How to add a HomePod to the Home app
The HomePod Mini comes with a USB-C cable, but no brick (Thanks, Apple), so you plug it in with a separate power brick or a USB-C adapter.
When the HomePod turns on, a white light will start pulsing on the screen at the top.
Once you’ve plugged in the HomePod, wait for the light that says it’s turned on. Maria Diaz/ZDNET
You can use the Home app on an iPhone or an iPad to set up your HomePod. Just unlock your iPhone or iPad and hold it close to your HomePod Mini.
Make sure your iPhone is unlocked so it can find the HomePod Mini nearby. Maria Diaz/ZDNET
Once your iPhone or iPad finds the HomePod, it will ask you to start setup. All you have to do is unlock your phone or tablet and wait.
Once the iPhone or iPad finds the HomePod, a pop-up will appear asking to set it up. Tap Set Up to continue.
You should see a pop-up appear once your HomePod has been found. Maria Diaz/ZDNET
The lights on your HomePod will change and your iPhone or iPad will ask you to use the camera to scan the animation that appears on the HomePod’s top screen.
This will connect your HomePod with your mobile device and your Apple ID.
Your iPhone or iPad will ask you to scan the screen of your HomePod Mini. Maria Diaz/ZDNET
Once your HomePod is paired with your iPhone or iPad, it’s time to adjust settings and preferences for your device. Simply follow the prompts and instructions on your mobile device to set up your HomePod.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to connect HomePod to Wi-Fi?
The Apple HomePod requires a mobile device to be set up, such as an iPhone or iPad, rather than a Mac or PC. When you set up your HomePod, it will automatically connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone or iPad, so you don’t need to follow any specific steps to connect it to the Internet.
If your Wi-Fi password ever changes or you make changes to your network, simply hold your iPhone near your HomePod again and you’ll get a message on your phone asking you to finalize your device. Follow these directions and your HomePod will automatically connect to the same network from your mobile device.
How can I add the HomePod directly in the Home app?
This is the Home app in your iPhone or iPad. Maria Diaz/ZDNET
All it takes to start setting up your HomePod is to plug it in, unlock your iPhone or iPad, and hold the two devices close together, and your mobile device should automatically find the HomePod. If for some reason it doesn’t work, you can set it up directly in the Home app by following these steps:
- Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the add button, the plus sign at the top right of your screen.
- Select Add Accessory.
- Tap More options.
- Select HomePod, then follow the directions in the app.
Do I need a HomePod to use HomeKit?
Apple’s smart home software, HomeKit, requires a compatible hub to work as your smart home system, and the HomePod Mini does the job very well. However, you can also use a regular HomePod or a Apple TV 4K.
