The introduction of iOS 14.2 brought a new voice messaging feature: Intercom. It will help you send your own recordings quickly as voice messages to anyone via the Home app on iOS devices like iPhone, HomePod, etc.

If you want to know more about the Intercom feature and how to use the same, then read the post to the end:

Set Up Intercom in Home App

First, you have to update your device OS to iOS 14.2. An Intercom screen will display once you open the Home app on your device. The displayed Intercom screen will guide you through the entire setup procedure. To know more, follow these steps:

• At the start, open the Home app on your device.
• Then, press the Continue tab once the Intercom prompt comes into view.
• After that, choose the time when you like to accept Intercom Notifications with just a single tab.
• Now, hit the Continue button there.
• Next, toggle the switch located just after the name of the person.
• Once you are all done, hit the Continue tab to complete the setup procedure.

Using Siri to access the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or HomePod as an Intercom

Here are the guidelines to control Intercom features with Siri AI:

• Initially, you have to activate Siri.
• Then, give it the voice command like “Send an Intercom,” or “Intercom” followed by your message. Once you have finished speaking, Siri will send the message automatically to everyone in your Home app.

Note: In case you desire to send an intercom message to a specific HomePod or a particular person in the Home app, give Siri a command such as “Intercom Christopher,” or” Intercom to the Living Room,” followed by your message.

Using an iPhone or iPad as an Intercom with the Home App

Here are the steps to use the iPhone and iPad as Intercom with the Home app:

• Open the Home app directly on your device.
• Then, press the Intercom tab situated just near the upper right edge.
• Now, deliver your message that you want to send to your Home.
• Next, hit the Done button there.
• If you desire to cancel your message, hit the cross (X) mark or hit anywhere outside your intercom screen.

Using Apple Watch as Intercom with the Home App

Follow these steps to use Apple Watch as Intercom with your Home App:

• At the start, open the Home app directly on your device.
• After that, press the Intercom tab there.
• Now, speak out the message that you desire to send to your Home.
• Next, hit the Done tab to send.

Note: If you want to cancel your message, hit the Back tab.

Managing Intercom Notifications on iOS Devices

Follow these steps to manage Intercom Notifications on your iPad or iPhone:

• First of all, open the Home app.
• Then, press the House icon there.
• Next, hit the Home Settings button.
• Click the Intercom option.
• Now, select the slot when you wish to receive Intercom Notifications with just a single tap. You can easily use any of the options like Anywhere, Never, When I’m Home. These options can be utilized to determine when you want to send notifications.

Managing HomePod Intercom Access

Follow these steps to manage HomePod Intercom Accesses:

• At the start, open the Home app on your device.
• Now, hit the House icon there.
• Press the Home Settings.
• Tap the Intercom option.
• Choose the HomePods you want to use Intercom with the switch located just after the name of your HomePod.

Managing Intercom Permissions

Here are the instructions to follow for managing Intercom Permissions:

• Open the Home app on your device.
• Then, press the House tab.
• Hit the Home Settings button.
• Tap on Intercom.
• Now, toggle the bar located next to a person’s name with a single tap to activate or deactivate Intercom services.

Intercom is a voice-based messaging service that works with the Home app. To get started, open the Home app and then hit the Intercom tab. You can also use Siri for sending messages via Intercom.

Elina John is a self-professed security expert; she has been making the people aware of the security threats. Her passion is to write about Cyber security, cryptography, malware, social engineering, internet and new media. She writes for mcafee security products at mcafee.com/activate.

Source : How to Use Intercom on HomePod, iPhone, and more?

Let’s say it straight away! As big as the Apple brand is, things could go off now and then. Therefore, knowing how to fix issues that happen with your Apple devices is the best possible solution.

Nowadays, everybody’s upgrading their home with smart appliances and new devices. Thus, HomePod is an essential part of the same. It is a speaker that delivers high-fidelity audio and adapts to its surroundings.

Things can not be in your favor all the time. Thus, HomePod can create issues, including disconnection, freezing, etc. If you own a HomePod that has gone mad and stopped working, you can try restarting the same before giving it a complete reset.

Below is a guide on fixing your HomePod before throwing it away if it doesn’t work later.

Restarting the HomePod

There are two ways to restart a HomePod: Direct restart and Using the Home app to restart.

Direct Restart

Directly restarting a HomePod is no science. It is a very simple method and the steps to reset your HomePod are:

1. Disconnect or unplug your HomePod.
2. Wait for a few seconds or a minute.
3. Plugin your HomePod.

Note: You’ll temporarily lose access to all the accessories connected to the hub, the HomePod.

Using the Home App to Restart

If you don’t want to use the Plug for restarting, you can use the Home app on your iPhone or iPad to restart your HomePod. The steps to restart your HomePod using the Home app are:

1. Go to the ‘Home’ app on your Apple device.
2. Click on the ‘Rooms’ tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Locate the Room where the HomePod is placed by swiping left or right.
4. Press and hold the HomePod section.
5. Click on the ‘Settings’ icon.
6. Locate the ‘Reset HomePod’ option and click on the same.
7. Select ‘Restart HomePod’ from the pop-up menu.

Resetting the HomePod

There are two methods to reset a HomePod: Direct resetting and Using the Home app to reset the HomePod.

Direct Reset

The steps to reset your HomePod directly are:

1. Disconnect or unplug your HomePod.
2. Wait for a few seconds or a minute.
3. Plugin your HomePod.
4. Place your finger on the touch panel of the HomePod.
5. Keep the finger placed until or unless the Siri light turns red.
6. When Siri announces the three beeps, remove your finger.

Once you manually reset the HomePod, you’ll have to reset all the settings with your iPhone or iPad.

Using the Home App to Reset

The steps to reset your HomePod and give it a fresh start are:

1. Go to the ‘Home’ app on your Apple device.
2. Click on the ‘Rooms’ tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Locate the Room where the HomePod is placed by swiping left or right.
4. Press and hold the HomePod section.
5. Click on the ‘Settings’ icon.
6. Locate the ‘Remove Accessory’ option and click on the same.
7. Click on the ‘Remove’ option to confirm.

This is it! Restarting a HomePod is not a difficult process. However, you’ll have to be very careful if you’re restarting the same via the Home app as one wrong click can reset the device. Also, opt to reset your HomePod when there is no possible fix left. Else, you’ll lose all the settings and will have to reset the same from scratch.

SOURCE:- How to Reset or Restart Your HomePod