Using the HomePod with Spotify, Is It Possible?

Apple and third-party audio services

A matter of a few months ago we learned for the first time that Apple would implement an option with which its users could choose the music service to use on their iOS, iPadOS, macOS and even tvOS devices. An important and substantial change for a company that until now could be said that it was forcing its users to use Apple Music if they wanted to fully enjoy options such as the use of voice commands or products like the HomePod.

Because until now if you wanted to use Spotify with Siri you had to specify that it use the service at the end of the command where you request a song, album or artist. And because to listen to music from the service on the HomePod you had to send it through AirPlay from an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

After several months of waiting and with version 14.5 of iOS and iPadOS things change, although not in the way that many were expecting. Now it is true that you can use Spotify with Siri, but there are limitations depending on which devices and it is not an option that allows you to always use a specific service by default.

To update the HomePod to the latest version, you just have to go to the Home app and in Home Settings -> Software update, check that the latest version is installed (automatic updates option configured by default)

That is, not an option like the Alexa app does when choosing the default music or podcast service, or how the iOS, iPadOS or macOS systems themselves have to choose a browser or email client.

Here it would be Siri and its own AI that would allow the user to establish the streaming music or audio application that they want to use to play the content that interests them. So, for example, you would only have to ask Siri to play you a specific song, album or artist and it will ask you which of the installed applications you want to do it.

Once selected, you will no longer have to do it again as it will remember the choice. And you can do that independently for music, podcasts and audiobooks. Which means you can use Spotify for listening to music, Audible for audiobooks, and Pocketcast for podcasts. The only thing you need is to have the application installed on your iPhone or iPad.

Can I use Spotify on the HomePod?

Ok, now that you know that Siri in versions 14.5 of iOS and iPadOS, you will wonder if on the HomePod that also uses the same system as the iPhone and that can already be updated to iOS 14.5 , can Spotify already be used as a player for music? Well, we have to tell you that unfortunately it is still not possible.

If you go to your HomePod and ask it to play music, it will continue to use Apple Music as the only option. What’s more, if you ask it with the command “Hey Siri, play C Tangana on Spotify” it will reply that the app doesn’t allow you to do that with Siri.

So, the HomePod continues with its limitations and despite being a good product in terms of sound quality, remaining tied to Apple Music is something that makes many users decide not to bet on this smart speaker. Although Siri’s own performance is already more than enough reason to rule it out compared to options such as Amazon with Alexa or those that include Google Assistant.

Will Apple ever unleash the HomePod from Apple Music?

Well, seen what I’ve seen that seems to be a great question, will Apple one day release the use of HomePod with Spotify ? Is it Apple’s fault that that doesn’t happen or Spotify’s?

At the moment it is not clear, because Apple would be interested in offering support to other services as it would sell more devices. And to Spotify also give that integration with Siri on the HomePod, as it could gain active users.

Pandora (only available in some countries where Spain is not found) was the first application to offer integration with the HomePod and only required having the application installed on the iPhone to be able to add it to the Home application. So it could be used without the need to send the audio over AirPlay. Therefore, we will see who moves the piece during the next few days and if this support finally reaches the Apple speaker.

How to set up a third-party streaming service with Siri

To configure one of the new music or audio streaming services from among all those that Apple allows with Siri, you don’t have to do anything really special. Basically all you have to do is ask Siri to play some type of content and it will be the assistant who will ask you in which application. But if you think so, we will see it step by step and we will tell you some additional details so that you know at all times what is happening.

If you are interested in using a music or audio streaming service other than Apple, this is what you should do:

1. Activate Siri on your iPhone or iPad and ask it to play a certain song, album, or artist. For example, “Hey Siri, play the latest from C Tangana”
2. When you do, Siri will show you a list of all the music applications that you have installed on your devices.
3. Choose the application with which you want to listen to the requested content. For example, if it is music, you can choose Spotify regardless of whether you have an active paid subscription or not.
4. Siri may ask you to confirm that you can access the app’s data. If so, accept
5. Ready, from this moment Siri will remember your choice and when you ask for music again it will play it on Spotify

As you can see, the change is important, because it avoids having to indicate with which service you want to reproduce said content. Something that always had to be done in previous versions of iOS and iPadOS. It is true that at some point Siri may ask you again with which application you want to play, but it will be to reaffirm that your decision remains the same.

Of course, we are talking here about playing music, but this also applies to topics such as playing podcasts or audiobooks. Once you have selected an Apple or third-party application, that will be used when you go to enjoy that specific type of content thanks to the use of Siri’s AI.