But with voice recognition, everyone in your home can better personalize their Siri experience. We’ll show you how to set up voice recognition on your HomePod mini or HomePod.
Why Set Up Voice Recognition?
While your personal iPhone or iPad is tied to a specific account, a HomePod might be used by a number of people in your home.
That might be a problem when someone besides the main account user wants to do something like make a phone call, play music from their own library, or other personal requests that usually work just fine on their own device.
But with voice recognition, up to six users in a home can be recognized. If you have more than that number, they can still use Siri, but the results won’t be personalized and use the primary account user’s information.
To prepare, make sure that each person has their own iPhone or iPad and individual Apple ID. Next, make sure that the HomePod or HomePod mini has been updated to the most recent software.
Finally, invite the other person to your Home using the Home app.
Set Up HomePod or HomePod mini Voice Recognition
To begin, on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Siri & Search. Make sure Listen for “Hey Siri” is toggled on. Next, head to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My. Confirm that Share My Location is turned on.
In the My Location section, choose This Device.
Next, open the Home app and select the More button and Home Settings. In the People section, tap your user profile.
Turn on Recognize my Voice. With that turned on, Siri will know your name, access your personal music library, Apple Music account, and other streaming services. You can also use Find My and control smart home accessories.
You can then also choose to toggle on Personal Requests.
Doing that provides a much more customized experience as it harnesses Siri commands that use info from your apps on your iPhone or iPad. That includes Apple stock apps like Messages, Reminders, Contacts, and more along with third-party apps compatible with Siri.
In a home with multiple speakers, you can turn on or off Personal Requests for each one.
Just to note, some requests might require authentication. Look for a notification on your iPhone to do that.
For even more personalization on a HomePod or HomePod mini, there are two additional settings you can choose to turn on. With Update Listening History turned on, Siri can suggest and play songs you’ll enjoy.
Control Accessories Remotely will allow others to control HomeKit devices, like a door lock or smart bulb, when away from home. You’ll also receive notifications when not at home.
Troubleshooting Siri Issues
If Siri on a HomePod or HomePod mini fails to recognize your voice, there are a few steps to try.
Open up the Home app and tap the More button and then home Settings. Select your name in the People section and then toggle off and then on Recognize My Voice. Wait a few minutes.
Next, try to restart the iPhone or iPad you use with Siri. Also, restart the HomePod mini or HomePod.
Finally, you can also set up the Hey Siri feature on your iPhone or iPad again. To can do that under Settings > Siri & Search. Turn Listen for “Hey Siri” off then on. Then follow the on-screen instructions.
Customize Your HomePod mini or HomePod Experience
With just a bit of work, you can easily set up the voice recognition feature on your HomePod mini or HomePod.
And with it active, every Apple fan in your home can enjoy a better Siri experience.
