How To Set Up A Homepod Mini

The other day I decided to order my first HomePod mini to begin to replace my various smart speakers I have around my house. At offset I wasn't sure if information technology was the right solution for me, just as I went more into the HomeKit Home Automation globe, I learned that a HomePod mini was 100% the right way to go.

Currently Apple tree simply has ane "smart speaker", and that is the mini Home Pod. They used to accept a larger version called, the HomePod (you guessed it), but that has been discontinued. You can still become one on eBay, or other third political party sites, and information technology does many of the aforementioned things just doesn't have all the features of the newer and smaller Mini.

Unboxing a white HomePod mini

Ordering your new HomePod mini

Almost everyone has experienced opening an Apple product. The designers and engineers create a fun, but temporary, experience that is unlike any other visitor.

Apple makes information technology very easy to get their stuff. Of course they take cute stores, but since nosotros are still in Covid times, I oasis't been in person within a shop in quite some fourth dimension. So instead I used the app that came on my iPhone to order the HomePod mini directly. Look on your iPhone for this app, or search for apple shop on your phone and I'one thousand certain you take it. The icon looks like a white bag with a blue apple logo. And this is different from the App Shop where you buy apps and games.

There are v different colors for the HomePod mini – White, Space Grey, Yellow, Blue, and Orange. I started with a simple clean white one, but will probably get other colors equally I grow my collection in my dwelling house. With all these colors it is super easy to match the decor of your dwelling or room.

There was no additional charge for shipping, simply I did have to pay sales tax.

What was really crawly what that it came with 1-twenty-four hour period expedited shipping for FREE. Thanks Apple! That way I got the HomePod mini in less than 24 hours delivered correct to my front door.

And of grade, since I had turned on notifications on my iPhone, I got an alert when information technology was dropped off.

Unboxing your HomePod mini

When I got the alert on my telephone that the package had been delivered, I saw this plain brown box sitting on my porch.

One time I brought it inside I noticed in that location was a niggling pull tab in the heart of the back. Then I grabbed it and information technology went all effectually the perimeter of the box and separated the top half from the bottom half. Y'all tin can meet more in the video above of the unboxing.

I lifted out the actual HomePod mini in the plastic wrapped white box (it was white because I ordered the white one). Other colors come in differently colored boxes.

Using a box knife I cut the plastic wrap and gently pulled it off – information technology was, every bit it always is, so satisfying to peel plastic off a new box – don't you hold?

Opening the white box was just every bit satisfying. the fit between the upper and lower parts of the box is then perfect that it actually takes a scrap of effort to separate them. Apple forces y'all to wearisome down and take your fourth dimension to savor and enjoy the unboxing process.

What comes in the HomePod mini Box

As the lid separated and came off the top, I could clearly see the white material and plastic mesh of the HomePod mini.

Nothing holds the white brawl in place then yous tin just lift it right out!

The USB cablevision is permanently attached to the bottom of the device and it is held together in a nifty little scroll with some menu-similar paper folded origami-like around the white cord. A simple tug on the paper releases it and the cable unfurls and is ready to be plugged into the power brick.

Regarding the power brick – it is at the bottom of the box, under a little instruction manual (and Apple sticker). Information technology as well lifts out easily. Of form it as well has a plastic like wrap around it to protect the end that peels off in that and so satisfying manner that we all know and dearest.

How to Setup HomePod mini

Setting up the HomePod mini is super easy. just follow these half-dozen like shooting fish in a barrel steps

1. Plug the USB-C cable into the included power brick
2. Plug the ability brick into a wall outlet
3. Hold your iPhone near the HomePod mini
4. You can so select where your HomePod will be located in a pull downwards bill of fare
5. Your iPhone will recognize the HomePod, and ask yous to heart it in the viewfinder. It will chime when recognized
6. Siri on the HomePod will then talk to you and tell you lot some of the things she can practice.

How does HomePod mini connect to Wi-Fi

For me, there wasn't any need to enter any passwords or choose any nearby Wi-Fi networks. I'1000 guessing HomePod mini pulled the info right from my iPhone when I held the two devices rear each other.

From what I take been reading there actually isn't a way to connect to other Wi-Fi networks. The HomePod mini needs to be on the aforementioned network that your HomeKit arrangement is on for it to work properly.

Tin can I use HomePod mini without iPhone

Yes you can apply a HomePod mini without an iPhone, but you lot Will need a dissimilar Apple tree device. Other devices you can use to gear up a HomePod mini are:

• iPad
• iPod touch
• iPhone

Without one of these devices you CANNOT apply a HomePod mini

Can y'all Use the HomePod mini as a Bluetooth Speaker

Although the Apple HomePod mini comes with Bluetooth, and WiFi (and Thread too), information technology doesn't take this feature. Sadly, the HomePod mini is Not a stand alone bluetooth speaker. It doesn't use this as the fashion music is transferred from the device to the speaker. Instead is uses either Bluetooth or WiFi depending on the device and location.

This powerful little speaker was designed to be paired with a iPhone (or other Apple device). These are some of the devices that can be easily connected to a HomePod mini to stream music or podcasts.

• iPhone
• iPad
• Macbook
• iMac
• Apple Goggle box

This means yous Don't need an iPhone to connect to a HomePod mini. While this is the most common way, any of these devices will piece of work to with it, and are compatible.

Apple does this to keep users in their own Ecosystem. Regular readers and subscribers to my website know that I am 100% Homekit and Apple tree, and only use products that have been recommended as fully capable. Sure, it'south always possible to observe a piece of work around or hack a fashion, merely why not just stick with a brand and use all the features information technology was designed for . Information technology'due south and so much easier, and seamless.

Concluding thoughts

If you are like me yous are super happy to accept received your HomePod mini – the unboxing experience is 100% Apple quality. While at that place isn't much in the box, yous don't actually need anything else – there is the device with a permanently attached USB-C cable, and a power brick. What else exercise you need? It's a fantastic speaker that looks good wherever you put it, and has even ameliorate audio. I'chiliad happy with my purchase and have plans to put one in pretty much every room in my firm over the next yr or so.

Source: https://www.ericestate.com/setting-up-your-first-homepod-mini/

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