Apple‘s HomePods, like other smart speakers, are designed to always be used with an internet connection. Because only this is how you can get the most out of them, even so there are many users who wonder if they could be used without having access to the internet. Is it possible to use the HomePod without WiFi?
How to use HomePod without WiFi
Both the original HomePod and the HomePod mini are two devices, two smart speakers, to which to get the most out of them it is essential to have them connected to a wireless network with internet access. If not, you will not be able to enjoy all the possibilities they offer.
However, if you wonder about the possibility of using them without a WiFi connection for whatever reason, the answer is that you can. And this may completely change the way you see Apple smart speakers, which although they are more limited than those of other companies such as Amazon, Google, etc., are still the number one option for many users who bet on 100% for the ecosystem of products and services of the Cupertino company.
So, knowing this, how do you use the HomePod, both the original and the mini, without a WiFi connection? Well the answer is very simple: through support for AirPlay. Thanks to this protocol is how you can use your HomePod without having a connection.
To enjoy this option you do not have to perform any strange type or resort to third-party applications. All you have to do is access an option that the company itself and only requires some additional steps that we are going to show you below.
The first thing you must do to use your HomePod without the need for a WiFi connection is to enable access to it by any user . Granting any user access to the HomePod is something that is done from the Home application and has practically no mystery:
- Open the Home app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac
- Next, look for the icon that gives you access to the House Settings and that is in the upper left corner
- Select the house your HomePod is in
- Then select the option Allow access to speakers or Allow access to speakers and televisions, this will depend on the version of the system you are using
- You will see three options: Everyone, anyone on the same network, only those who share this house
- Select All
- If you are afraid that anyone can use your HomePod because it is nearby (which can be a bummer), rest assured because you can set a password to limit its use
- Ready, from that moment in which you have selected to allow access to all users (with or without password) the HomePod will appear in the sharing options via AirPlay
As you can see, the configuration to make use of the original HomePod or HomePod mini without the need for a WiFi connection to which it can be “hooked” is very simple. And I’m sure that at some point it could come in handy to know all this.
Why connect a HomePod without a WiFi connection
You may not yet see the point or appeal of using a HomePod, or even any other smart speaker, without a WiFi connection. Well, it is true that it does not have it or it is very small. Because a product of this type is usually asked to give you access to certain information that you need to know at a specific moment, to control connected devices that you have at home or to play music or podcasts from the services compatible with the that you can access.
Even so, there are situations in which being able to use them without WiFi is also interesting and one of them is the typical one that comes with every summer or vacation days and disconnection that you can enjoy. If you are going on a trip to spend a few days relaxing and you want to continue enjoying music with the best possible sound quality, you could take the HomePod or HomePod mini with you.
Thanks to that and what we have seen from the use of AirPlay, you could send your favorite songs directly from your iPhone, iPad or any other device capable of sending content via AirPlay. Of course, you would need to have said content stored on your mobile device if you are not going to have an internet connection on it or you do not want to abuse your data rate. In case you need it for other tasks such as uploading a backup of the photos and videos that you are taking, etc.
How to change the HomePod’s WiFi connection
Logically, it is also possible that if you have taken your HomePod to a new location, even temporarily for a weekend or a finite vacation period, you have an internet connection. If so and you need to know how to change the WiFi network on your HomePod, we will explain it to you as well.
When we talk about the advantages of the Apple ecosystem it is because of things like these. The HomePod has the ability to automatically connect to the network to which our iPhone is connected. When we configure it for the first time, when determining it with a new phone, iPad or Mac, it is obvious that it is already connected to the WiFi network that takes for granted that it is the one at home and is the one that you want to use.
In the event that you change the network or take the speaker to another place, from the Home application you will see that when the HomePod is not connected to that wireless network with which it was configured, an error message appears in the app. You just have to tap on it and you will see that it automatically rechecks what network your phone is connected to and hooks up to it.
So again, reconfiguring an Apple HomePod is a breeze. So don’t be afraid to take it with you whenever you think it’s appropriate. Because the quality and experience will always be much more satisfactory than using the integrated speakers of your Mac, iPhone or iPad. Although it is also true that there are many small and powerful travel Bluetooth speakers.
