Play audio on HomePod using an iOS or iPadOS device
You can quickly hand off audio from your iOS device to your HomePod. HomePod can also play audio sent from an iOS or iPadOS device, Apple TV, or Mac using AirPlay.
For details about using the Music app, the Podcasts app, and Control Center, see the iPhone User Guide or iPad User Guide.
Hand off audio to HomePod
You and members of your home can transfer audio from your iPhone to your HomePod to keep playing from where you left off.
To change who can hand off audio to HomePod, see “Allow others to control audio on HomePod,” below.
Note: To hand off audio, your device must have Bluetooth turned on and be on the same Wi-Fi network as HomePod.

On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff, then make sure Transfer to HomePod is turned on.
Hold your iPhone near the top of HomePod.
To move audio from HomePod to your iOS device, hold your iPhone near the top of HomePod. On iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models, hold your iPhone near the top of HomePod, then tap Transfer to iPhone.
Control HomePod from Apple Music or Apple Podcasts
Open the Music or Podcasts app on your iOS or iPadOS device, then tap the playback controls.
Tap
, then select your HomePod.
To return to the playback screen, tap outside of the AirPlay options.
Tap
to play the current item, or swipe down from the top of the screen, then select a different item to play.
To add an item to the Playing Next queue on HomePod, touch and hold the item, then tap either Play Next or Play Last.
Play audio on HomePod using Control Center
To open Control Center on your iOS or iPadOS device, do one of the following:
On iPhone with Face ID or on iPad: Swipe down from the top-right edge.
On iPhone with a Home button: Swipe up from the bottom.
Tap the audio card, tap
, then select one or more HomePod speakers.
To play audio from other devices that support AirPlay, see the documentation for that device for details about selecting an audio destination.
Require a password to play audio on HomePod
In the Home app on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap
, then tap Home Settings.
Note: If you have more than one home, you see settings for your current home (based on your location). To edit a different home, tap Homes, then tap the home you want to edit.
Tap Allow Speaker & TV Access.
Turn on Require Password.
If you have more than one HomePod, this setting applies to all of them.
Allow others to control audio on HomePod
In the Home app on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap
, then tap Home Settings.
Note: If you have more than one home, you see settings for your current home (based on your location). To edit a different home, tap Homes, then tap the home you want to edit.
Tap Speakers & TV and choose one of the following options:
Everyone: Gives access to everyone nearby.
Anyone On the Same Network: Gives access to those connected to your Wi-Fi network.
Only People Sharing This Home: Gives access to those you’ve invited to share your home (in the Home app) and who are connected to your Wi-Fi network.
The setting you choose also controls who can add to the Playing Next queue for HomePod in the Music app and Podcasts app, and who can hand off audio to HomePod. If you have more than one HomePod, the option you choose applies to all of them.
Members of your home can access their own music from your HomePod. To learn more, see Set up Personal Requests.