To play iPhone or iPad audio directly on the HomePod or HomePod mini, tap your device on top of the smart speaker or use the AirPlay menu. But alternatively, the fastest way is to use a shortcut.
With the Shortcuts app, you can create a simple automation that instantly sets the HomePod mini as the audio output device. Once it is set up, you can activate it from the Shortcuts widget or you can add it directly to your home screen.
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Create the play destination shortcut for HomePod
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Then under the “My Shortcuts” tab, tap the “+” button in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.
Tap the “Add action” button here.
Look for the action “Set Playback Destination” and add it.
Tap the “iPhone” button.
Select your HomePod or HomePod mini here.
Now tap on the “Next” button at the top of your device screen.
Give the shortcut a recognizable name (we used “Set HomePod.”) And tap the “Done” button.
Now, if you tap the “Set up HomePod” shortcut in the Shortcuts app while near your smart speaker, your iPhone or iPad will instantly set the HomePod or HomePod mini as the audio output.
Add the HomePod output shortcut to your home screen
The shortcut won’t do you much good if it’s just in the Shortcuts app. The best way to use it is to put it on the home screen. That way, with just one tap, you can stream the audio from your iPhone or iPad to the HomePod or HomePod mini (since the home screen shortcuts are activated in the background, without opening the Shortcuts app).
RELATED: Use shortcuts directly from the iPhone and iPad home screen
Open the “Shortcuts” app to get started. Then from the “Set up HomePod” shortcut, tap the three-dot menu button.
Here, select the three-dot menu button in the top right corner.
Tap the “Add to Home Screen” button.
From here you can change the shortcut’s name or icon. In fact, you can use any image or icon from the web. Tap the icon and select the “Choose photo” option.
Then choose the image from your camera roll.
In the example, tap the “Choose” button.
Finally, tap on the “Add” button in the top right corner.
The shortcut will be added to the home screen of your iPhone or iPad. You can move the shortcut icon to a suitable place (we recommend the first home screen).
And you are all set. Just tap the shortcut icon on your home screen to start streaming audio directly to your HomePod or HomePod mini.
Want to get more done on iPhone? Use widgets on the home screen!
RELATED: 10 great iPhone home screen widgets to get you started
