With Apple’s HomePod, users can play music in different locations in the same household simultaneously. They can also be connected to several smart home devices, like speakers, light switches, and more. With that said, can you connect multiple HomePods together?

Multiple HomePods can connect to one another and offer additional features not available with a single device. Though a more elaborate setup is required, Apple makes the process intuitive and user-friendly.

Depending on the needs of your smart home system, using multiple HomePods could not only improve your existing setup but could also add some unique capabilities only accessible with numerous connected devices. This article will examine some benefits of connecting multiple HomePods and some steps to get you started to configure your system.

Benefits of Using Multiple HomePods

Having multiple HomePods connected in the same system can have a range of benefits for your smart home. Here are some unique features accessible with a multi-HomePod setup:

Audio Control in Multiple Rooms

Apple’s update to 11.4 introduced the “AirPlay 2” feature, allowing users to control music playback in multiple locations around the house with Siri, and connect third-party speakers like Sonos (or other smart devices).

If you’re looking for some tips on using your Sonos speakers with HomePod, check out our article here. Also, for your smart devices to communicate with the HomePod, they need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

The ability to control your media in multiple locations means you can move from room to room in your house and not miss out on your listening experience. Additionally, you can add multiple users to your HomePod so members of your household can listen to other music on different HomePods.

Stereo Pairing

The update to 11.4 also provides support for “stereo pairing.” This feature allows users to pair two HomePods together for a high-quality stereo sound output. The HomePods take advantage of their A8 processors to seamlessly integrate, providing stereo sound for all your music playback.

Additionally, HomePods have both ambient noise and space identification technologies, further enhancing your sound system when paired together.

Now that we have a better idea of some of the benefits of connecting multiple HomePods, let’s take a look at the steps required to get started.

How to Connect to Multiple HomePods

When you first set up your HomePod, you have the option of connecting to other HomePods in your system. You can also connect them at a later time using the associated Home app. It’s worth noting that once multiple HomePod speakers are connected, only a single unit will respond to Siri voice commands.

Requirements for Connecting Multiple HomePods

To connect multiple HomePods in your system, that are a few initial requirements to ensure they are compatible and communicating as intended:

  • Make sure your HomePods are running OS 11.4 (or higher)Update your iPhone or mobile iOS device to iOS 11.4 (or higher)Confirm that your connected HomePod speakers are assigned to the same room via the Home app (for stereo pairing).

Additionally, you will want to verify that your devices support AirPlay 2, which allows your multiple devices to communicate and play music simultaneously.

Stereo Pairing with HomePods

The most straightforward approach to connecting multiple HomePods is using AirPlay 2 to group and sync your devices. Here are some steps to pair your HomePods:

  • First, open the Home app on your mobile device, and long-press one of the connected HomePod icons.Once you have your HomePod selected, tap “Details” and “Create Stereo Pair.”Next, tap the second HomePod icon and navigate to “Audio Settings” on each HomePod to confirm they’re designated as “right” and “left” (for stereo sound).

After you’ve completed these steps, your HomePods will be connected and ready for stereo sound output. Whenever you play music, the sound will come from both (or multiple) HomePods.

Tips for Using Siri with Multiple HomePods

Now that you have your HomePods connected and playing music, there are some features available with Siri not accessible when using a single device. You may also be wondering, with multiple devices, which HomePod will respond to voice commands?

Your HomePods use Bluetooth to communicate with other iOS devices to ensure that they don’t respond simultaneously or out of turn. With this in mind, it’s essential to update all your devices, so they’re running the latest compatible software. By default, the closest device or the most recently activated unit will respond to voice commands first (Source: Apple Support).

Here are some example voice commands to help get the most out of your multi-HomePod system:

  • “Hey Siri, play [song title] in the living room.”“Hey Siri, increase the volume in the kitchen.”“Hey Siri, play [song title] in the master bedroom too.”

With multiple HomePods connected, Siri can recognize a wide range of voice commands, all designed to take advantage of your multi-device setup.

In Summary

HomePods provide quality sound and smart home features designed to expand Apple’s ever-growing ecosystem. The ability to connect multiple HomePods in the same household not only offers unique features for your system but can also be used as a stereo solution for your media center. With only a few steps, you can have your HomePods connected and ready to play music how you want.