One of the biggest new features to come to HomePod this year is support for Intercom. And the handy feature is now available to more people than ever with the arrival of the HomePod mini and many are likely to be gifted while on vacation. Learn how to set up and use the HomePod Intercom feature on smart speakers and other Apple devices.
The HomePod Intercom feature works with more than just HomePod and HomePod mini. Useful functionality extends to iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch (also works with CarPlay!) Make sure you are running iOS 14.2 or later on all your devices and watchOS 7.2 or later on Apple Watch.
Configure and customize the HomePod Intercom settings
- You should see a home screen showing the Intercom after setting up a HomePod or HomePod mini in the Home app with iOS 14.2 or later, but if you need to go back manually
- Go to App Home > Touch the House (top left)> Swipe down and touch Home settings
- You can choose when to receive intercom notifications, who can send and receive intercom messages and which HomePods you can use the feature with
- Don’t forget that you may need to check if HomePod is running iOS 14.2 too
- Access the Home app> choose a HomePod> touch the Settings gear icon in the lower right corner> look for software updates at the top (it may take a few minutes to appear)
How to use the HomePod Intercom on your devices
Send an intercom message with Siri
- On any of your compatible devices, you can use “Intercom” as a verb. For example, you can use a command like “Hey, Siri, the intercom popcorn is hot, it’s movie time!”If you do not specify a room / HomePod, your message will go to the entire house and all people associated with it
- You can also use verbs like “tell everyone”, “ask everyone” and “advertise”
- To send intercom announcements to certain speakers, use a command like “Hey, Siri, tell the kitchen I’m leaving for the Cinnabon festival”(Insert any room where there is a HomePod)
- You can also do this by zone, like “upstairs”
Send an intercom message with the Home app
- On the iPhone and iPad, go to the Home app and tap the audio wavelength icon in the upper right corner
- Speak your message and tap the orange “Done” button
- In the Apple Watch Home app, you’ll see “Intercom” as the primary option
Reply to messages from the Intercom
Here’s how Apple describes how the Intercom works when responding:
If the message was shared with the entire house, your reply is sent back to all HomePods and devices in your home with notifications enabled. If the message was sent to your specific room, your reply will be sent only to the HomePod or device that sent the original message.
- Just like sending Intercom messages, you can reply with Siri or by tapping the audio waveform notification icon on the iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch after hearing a
- Use a command like “Hey, Siri, answer, don’t forget to bring Cinnabon to us!”
- Or you can tell Siri to respond to certain rooms / zones
- You can also touch the notification on your device to reply
Related:
FTC: We use affiliate links for cars that generate revenue. More.
Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more news from Apple: