Use a HomePod for making and answering phone calls
Did you know you can use a HomePod or HomePod Mini to make and receive phone calls? Here, we'll show you how.
The HomePod can use your iPhone or iPad to make and receive telephone calls and audio calls via FaceTime. To make calls using a cellular network, an iPhone is required.
In this guide, we'll show you how to make and receive calls, as well as route existing calls to your HomePod.
When a HomePod is being used as a speakerphone, the light on top of the HomePod will turn green. You can use the controls on top of the HomePod to adjust the speakerphone volume.
Before you can place and get calls, you need to make sure you've set up Personal Requests on your device.
How to set up personal requests on your HomePod
The next step is to enable Personal Requests on your iOS device:
- Connect your iOS device to the same Wi-Fi network as HomePod.
- Go to Settings > Siri & Search, then turn on Listen for "Hey Siri", Press Side Button for Siri (on an iPhone with Face ID), Press Top Button for Siri (on an iPad with Face ID) or Press Home for Siri (on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with a Home button) and Allow Siri When Locked.
- Go to Settings > Your Account Name > Find My, and check that My Location is set to This Device.
- Press the Home icon at the top left of the Home app screen, select Home Settings, tap on your user profile under People, then turn on Personal Requests for your HomePod.
- If you want to use HomePod to access your Calendar, Notes, Reminders, voicemail, and call history, choose Never under Require Authentication.
How to use a HomePod for phone calls
To make a call:
Hey Siri, call Harry
To make a FaceTime audio call instead:
Hey Siri, FaceTime Harry
To call someone not in your Contacts:
phone number
Call the last number you dialed:
Hey Siri, redial the last number
To answers a phone call when your iPhone rings, say:
Hey Siri, answer the phone
You can ask who's calling before you answer:
Hey Siri, who's calling?
To finish your call, tap the top of HomePod or hang up using your iPhone or iPad. Alternatively, say:
Hey Siri, hang up
Note: You won't be able to make other Siri requests while you're on a call.
Divert an existing call through a HomePod
To route a call, you're already on to a HomePod:
- On your iPhone or iPad, tap Audio in the Phone or FaceTime app, then choose your HomePod.
- Hold your iPhone near to the top of HomePod.
For this to work correctly, your iPhone or iPad must have Bluetooth enabled and be on the same Wi-Fi network as your HomePod. You must also turn on Transfer to HomePod in Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff.
How to deal with multiple calls at the same time on a HomePod
- To put a call on hold and answer a new one, tap the top of the HomePod
- To switch between calls, double-tap the top of your HomePod.
Calling emergency services with a HomePod
If you need to call emergency services, say:
Hey Siri, call 000 (or your local emergency number)
Hey Siri, call emergency services
The HomePod will try to make the call using the iPhone set up to make personal requests. If it isn't available, the HomePod will attempt to connect to any other iPhone on the same network.
Want to discover more about using Siri, Apple’s popular virtual assistant? We’ve written a helpful collection of tutorials full of techniques for using apps, dictation, using Siri Shortcuts, and a comprehensive beginner’s guide to activating and using Siri.
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