The Best HomePod Features You Might Not Be Using in 2025: The Apple HomePod and HomePod mini, running on HomePod software 18.2 in 2025, are powerful smart speakers that blend high-fidelity audio with Siri’s voice assistant capabilities, offering seamless integration within Apple’s ecosystem.
Beyond playing music, these devices serve as HomeKit hubs, support multi-user voice recognition, and include advanced features like Sound Recognition and Handoff, many of which remain underutilized. With the HomePod (2nd generation, $299) delivering rich Spatial Audio and the HomePod mini ($99) offering compact, room-filling sound, these speakers enhance smart home control, privacy, and connectivity.
Why Explore Hidden HomePod Features?
The HomePod and HomePod mini, powered by Apple’s S7 and S5 chips respectively, offer more than basic music playback. Features like Intercom, Sound Recognition, and temperature sensing enable smarter home interactions, while multi-room audio and SharePlay elevate entertainment. Despite rumors of a HomePod with a display delayed to late 2025 or 2026, the current lineup remains robust for Apple users. Mastering these hidden features can transform your HomePod into a central hub for productivity, entertainment, and smart home management.
10 Underutilized HomePod Features
1. Intercom for Household Communication
Broadcast messages across multiple HomePods or Apple devices.
- How to Use: Say, “Hey Siri, intercom, ‘Dinner’s ready!’” to send a message to all HomePods. Reply by saying, “Hey Siri, reply, ‘Coming!’” Target specific rooms: “Hey Siri, intercom to Living Room, ‘Turn off the TV.’” Enable in Home app > Home Settings > Intercom.
- Benefits: Simplifies household coordination, ideal for large homes or families.
- Tip: Add non-HomePod devices (e.g., iPhone, iPad) to Intercom via Home Settings > Intercom > Choose Devices.
2. Sound Recognition for Safety
Detect smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and notify you.
- How to Use: Enable in Home app > HomePod Settings > Safety & Security > Sound Recognition. When triggered, you receive alerts on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.
- Benefits: Enhances home safety by alerting you remotely, ideal for pet owners or frequent travelers.
- Tip: Test by playing alarm sounds to ensure detection accuracy.
3. Temperature and Humidity Sensing
Monitor your room’s climate for smart home automations.
- How to Use: Access readings in Home app > Climate > [Room Name]. Create automations (e.g., “Close blinds if temperature exceeds 80°F”) via Home app > + > Add Automation.
- Benefits: Optimizes comfort and energy use with HomeKit devices like thermostats or blinds.
- Tip: Place HomePod away from heat sources for accurate readings.
4. Multi-Room Audio
Play synchronized music across multiple HomePods.
- How to Use: In Home app, group HomePods by dragging tiles together. Say, “Hey Siri, play jazz everywhere,” or select different songs per room: “Hey Siri, play rock in Kitchen.” Use AirPlay from iPhone for manual control.
- Benefits: Creates a cohesive audio experience for parties or daily routines.
- Tip: Pair two HomePods in one room for stereo sound via HomePod Settings > Create Stereo Pair.
5. SharePlay for Guest Control
Let others control music playback without an Apple Music subscription.
- How to Use: Start a SharePlay session via Apple Music on your iPhone, then bring it near the HomePod. Guests can join via AirPlay or a QR code shown on your device.
- Benefits: Enables collaborative playlists during gatherings, enhancing social experiences.
- Tip: Ensure guests have AirPlay-enabled devices for seamless access.
6. Handoff for Seamless Audio Transfer
Transfer music or calls between iPhone and HomePod.
- How to Use: Bring your iPhone near the HomePod while playing audio; a prompt appears to transfer. Reverse by bringing the iPhone close again. Enable in Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff > Transfer to HomePod.
- Benefits: Maintains uninterrupted listening when moving between devices.
- Tip: Ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled for smooth transfers.
7. Crossfade for Smooth Music Transitions
Blend songs seamlessly during Apple Music playback.
- How to Use: Enable in Home app > HomePod Settings > [Your Name] > Apple Music > Crossfade. Adjust fade duration (1–12 seconds).
- Benefits: Creates a DJ-like experience, ideal for parties or workouts.
- Tip: Combine with multi-room audio for a professional sound flow.
8. Find My Integration
Locate lost devices or people using HomePod.
- How to Use: Say, “Hey Siri, where’s my iPhone?” to play a sound on your device. For shared contacts, say, “Hey Siri, where’s [Name]?” Enable in Settings > [Your Name] > Find My.
- Benefits: Simplifies finding misplaced devices or tracking family members.
- Tip: Ensure Share My Location is enabled for family members in Find My.
9. Voice Recognition for Multi-User Support
Personalize Siri responses for up to six users.
- How to Use: In Home app, go to Home Settings > [Your Name] > Recognize My Voice. Invite users via Home Settings > Invite People. Say, “Hey Siri, play my playlist” for personalized playback.
- Benefits: Tailors music, messages, and reminders to individual users.
- Tip: Retrain Siri if recognition fails by disabling and re-enabling the feature.
10. HomeKit Automations
Automate smart home devices using HomePod as a hub.
- How to Use: In Home app, tap + > Add Automation. Set triggers like time, location, or sensor data (e.g., “Turn on lights at 7 p.m.”). Use HomePod’s sensors for climate-based automations.
- Benefits: Streamlines daily routines with hands-free control.
- Tip: Test automations to ensure compatibility with HomeKit accessories.
Safety and Best Practices
- Update Software: Ensure HomePod runs software 18.2 via Home app > HomePod Settings > Update Software.
- Secure Privacy: Enable Require Authentication for Personal Requests in Home Settings to protect sensitive data.
- Avoid Surface Damage: Place HomePod on a mat to prevent white rings on wood surfaces, especially for the white model.
- Stable Wi-Fi: Use WPA/WPA2/WPA3 Wi-Fi for reliable connectivity; avoid captive portals.
READ ALSO: How to Choose the Best Portable Charger for 2025
Limitations
- Siri Delays: Advanced Siri features (Apple Intelligence) are delayed until mid-2025 or 2026, limiting current capabilities.
- No Spotify Support: Direct Siri control for Spotify is unavailable; use AirPlay instead.
- iOS Dependency: Setup requires an iPhone or iPad with iOS 18.2 or later.
- No Bluetooth Streaming: HomePod uses AirPlay, not standard Bluetooth, limiting non-Apple device compatibility.
FAQs
How do I set up Intercom on HomePod?
Enable in Home app > Home Settings > Intercom, and select devices or rooms. Say, “Hey Siri, intercom, ‘Message,’” to broadcast.
What is Sound Recognition, and how does it work?
It detects smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and sends notifications to your Apple devices. Enable in HomePod Settings > Safety & Security > Sound Recognition.
Can HomePod measure room temperature?
Yes, both HomePod and HomePod mini have sensors. View in Home app > Climate and use for automations.
How does multi-room audio work?
Group HomePods in the Home app and say, “Hey Siri, play music everywhere,” or specify rooms. Use AirPlay for manual control.
Can guests control HomePod music?
Yes, with SharePlay. Start a session in Apple Music, and guests join via AirPlay or a QR code.