Connect Apple HomePod via Bluetooth: This is how the pairing works

APPLE HOMEPOD

June 10, 2023 at 10:00 am

Do you want to pair your Homepod via Bluetooth to play music from your smartphone or computer? Here’s what you need to know about Apple speaker wireless connection.

The HomePod is the first smart speaker from Apple and, as you already know from the tech giant from Cupertino, the compact speaker works a little differently than an ordinary Bluetooth speaker.

While the Apple HomePod does have the Bluetooth wireless connection standard and also uses it for connections, the speaker cannot be paired like a normal Bluetooth box. The reason for this is quite simple: Apple relies on its proprietary AirPlay streaming technology to connect to the HomePod.

The difference between Bluetooth and AirPlay is that Apple technology uses a Wi-Fi signal and uses the appropriate connection. In other words: no streaming playback on the HomePod without AirPlay. Devices that do not support the standard cannot be used as playback devices.

However, you don’t have to do much to pair an AirPlay-enabled device with the HomePod: simply click on the AirPlay symbol in your streaming app on the iPhone or iPad, and the device selection will open, in which you can simply select the HomePod as the playback device clicks.

Using HomePod with a power bank on the go: is that possible?

The HomePod mini in particular can also be used as a mobile speaker, even if that is not its primary purpose. The whole thing works using a power bank as a power source – but only if its output power is sufficient to operate the HomePod mini (min. 18 W).

Incidentally, Bluetooth then takes care of the mobile device connection via AirPlay without a supporting WLAN network, since the devices first connect via the radio standard and then switch to their own WLAN signal that they have generated themselves.

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