Apple HomePod Setup Guide

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Homepod: Get The Guide

There is no manual for the HomePod but the official setup guide can be accessed here.

2. HomePod: Initial Setup

Before proceeding with setup, please ask the Guest if they have all of the latest updates installed. The Guest's iPhone or iPod Touch must be running iOS 14.1 or later. If they are planning to connect to a tablet, the tablet must be running iPadOS 14.1 or later.

3. Homepod: Connecting to the HomePod

• First, make sure that the Guest has Bluetooth turned on and is connected to the WiFi network that they want their HomePod to use.
  
  
• In order for setup to continue, the device they want to use to connect to HomePod must also be unlocked during the setup process.
  
  
• Next, the Guest plugs in their HomePod. A white light will pulse on the top of the device to show that it is powering up.
  
  
• While it is powering up, the Guest needs to hold their device close to the HomePod. The setup process will start automatically once the Guest taps 'Setup':

4. HomePod: Manual Connection

All is not lost! Direct the Guest to access the app store and download the HomePod app.

The Guest must then open the app and tap on the

button.

The Guest then taps 'Add Accessory' and then 'I Don't Have a Code or Cannot Scan'.

Next, the Guest will tap 'HomePod' or 'HomePod Mini' in the Nearby Accessories list.

Finally, the Guest will tap 'Setup' and follow the on-screen instructions.

5. HomePod: One Last Try

If the Guest sees any of the following while setting up their HomePod:

• A blank white screen after selecting their HomePod location
  
  
• A 'Wi-Fi' incompatible error OR
  
  
• "Setup Failed" with an error code (for example '-6722') then they can try the following:

Make sure the Guest is not trying to use a hotspot or captive portal network to setup their device. They must use a plain old WiFi connection. See this article for more information on dealing with legacy or unusual network setups.

The Guest has to have ALL of the apps the HomePod or HomePod Mini needs installed. Have Guest check to make sure they are updated to the latest iOS version for their device and have both the 'Home' and the 'Music' apps installed. If they do not, instruct the Guest to download and install both from the app store and then try the setup process again.

Check that two-factor authentication is turned on for the Guest's Apple ID and iCloud Keychain is turned on

• To check if two-factor authentication is turned on, go to Settings > [Guest Name] > Password & Security. If two-factor authentication isn't set up, select the option to enable it and follow the steps.
  
  
• To check if iCloud Keychain is turned on, go to Settings > [Guest Name] > iCloud. Scroll down and check that Keychain is on. If it isn't, tap Keychain and turn it on. If prompted, follow the steps to set up iCloud Keychain.

Check the Home app

If you already have HomeKit accessories or scenes, follow these steps:

• Make sure that the device they're using to set up HomePod is the one they used to set up the Home.
  
  
• Have them open the Home app on their iOS or iPadOS device and check that they see their accessories and scenes. If they see a message that says loading accessories and scenes, have them wait for the Home app to finish loading. If the Home app stays in a loading state for 30 minutes or longer, they should see an option to erase and reset the Home app. If they reset the Home app, the Guest will need to set up their HomeKit accessories and scenes again.

6. Contact Apple

Please contact Apple support at 1-800-275-2273. They are open 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM PST / 7 days a week. Make sure to warm transfer your Guest.

7. Homepod: Update iOS

To fully update the device software to the latest iOS version, have the Guest tap 'Settings' (looks like a gear), then 'General', then 'Software Update'