How to use the HomePod Intercom feature

How to use the HomePod Intercom feature

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One of the biggest new features that has arrived for HomePod this year is Intercom support. And the handy feature is now available to more people than ever before with HomePod mini probably gifted during the holidays. Learn how to set up and use the HomePod Intercom feature on your smart speakers and other Apple devices.

HomePod’s intercom feature works with more than just HomePod and HomePod mini. The handy feature extends to iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch (also works with CarPlay!) Just make sure you are using iOS 14.2 or later on all your devices and watchOS 7.2 or later on Apple Watch.

Set and adjust the HomePod Intercom settings

  • You should see a splash screen in which you launch Intercom after setting up a HomePod or HomePod mini in the Home app with iOS 14.2 or later, but if you have to go back manually
    • Go to the Home app > Tap on the house (top left)> Swipe down and tap Home settings
    • You can choose when you want to receive Intercom notifications, who can send and receive Intercom messages, and with which HomePods you can use the feature.
  • Don’t forget that you may need to use iOS 14.2 with HomePod as well
    • Go to the Home app> select a HomePod> tap on the Settings icon at the bottom right> check for software updates at the top (this may take a few moments to show up)
How to run your HomePod Intercom feature 1

How to use 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 create an assignment such as’Hi Siri, intercom popcorn is hot, it’s movie time!If you do not specify a room / HomePod, your message will go to the whole house and all the people connected to it
  • You can also use verbs such as ‘tell everyone’, ‘ask everyone’ and ‘announce’
  • Use a command such as ‘to send’ Intercom announcements to certain speakersHello Siri, tell me the kitchen I am leaving for the Cinnabon Festival”(Place any room where there is a HomePod)
    • You can also do this according to zones like “above”

Send and intercom message with the Home app

  • Go to the Home app on iPhone and iPad and tap on the sound wavelength icon in the top right corner
  • Speak your message and then tap the orange “Done” button
  • In the Home app on Apple Watch, you see ‘Intercom’ as the best option
How to use HomePod Intercom feature 2

Reply to intercom messages

Here’s how Apple describes how Intercom works when you answer:

If the message is shared with the whole house, your reply is sent back to each HomePod and every device in your house is turned on with notifications. If the message was sent to your specific room, your reply will only be sent to the HomePod or the device that sent the original message.

  • Just like sending Intercom messages, you can reply with Siri or by tapping the audio waveform notification on your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch after listening to one.
    • Use a command like “Hello, Siri, reply, do not forget to bring Cinnabon back for us!”
    • Or you can tell Siri to reply to certain rooms / zones
    • You can also tap the notification on your device to reply

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