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Apple Intercom: What It Is and How to Use It

Quit yelling and let the intercom feature make household announcements

By Jerri Ledford Jerri Ledford Writer, Editor, Fact Checker Western Kentucky University Gulf Coast Community College Jerri L. Ledford has been writing, editing, and fact-checking tech stories since 1994. Her work has appeared in Computerworld, PC Magazine, Information Today, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 19, 2022 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Smart Home Your Best Year Ever: College Tech Tips Amazon Appliances & Lighting Google

What to Know

Apple Intercom is part of Apple Home apps. It allows you to use an Apple device like an intercom.To check if Intercom is on, go to Home app > tap Home in upper-left corner. Tap Home Settings > Intercom.To create and send an announcement, just say, "Hey Siri, intercom," and then speak the message. This article explains how to use Apple's Intercom feature, which works on HomePod, HomePod mini, iPhone, and many other Apple devices.

What Is Apple Intercom

Apple Intercom is a feature of the Apple Home apps which allows you to communicate with other people in your house using an Apple device as an intercom. You can even use it with your Apple CarPlay. When two or more devices are connected through the Apple Home app, you can use one of those devices to make an announcement on the other. If you have multiple devices set up in different rooms on the Home App, you can opt to have it made in only one room or multiple rooms.

How Do I Turn on Intercom on the Home App

Your devices need to meet three qualifications to turn on the Intercom app: Apple Home app installed on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. You can download the Home app for free from the App Store. All your Apple devices updated to the most recent version of their operating system (whether iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, or the HomePod software). Have a connected Apple HomePod or HomePod mini smart speaker connected to your Apple Home app. Apple That's it. If you meet those two qualifications, you already have Apple Intercom on your device, and it's probably already active since that's the default. To check it, go to the Home app and tap the Home in the upper-left corner of the screen. Then tap Home Settings > Intercom. From there, you can make sure that your notifications are on, and you can control other Intercom Settings, such as people who can manage your devices and which devices are being controlled.

How Do You Use Apple Intercom

Once you're sure that your Intercom is turned on, it's easy to use because it relies on your old friend Siri. To create and send an announcement, just say, "Hey Siri, intercom..." and then speak the message you want to share. For example, "Hey Siri, intercom dinner is ready, wash up and come eat." Siri will announce on all the devices in your home, "Dinner is ready. Wash up and come eat." When you don't specify a room, your announcement goes to all the connected devices in the household. If you want to intercom a specific room, say the name of that room after saying "intercom." For example, "Hey Siri, intercom the kitchen, could you grab me a soda while you're in there?" Siri will repeat your message, but only in the kitchen (or whatever room you specify). If you want to send an intercom message from within the Home app, tap the wavelength icon in the upper right corner, then speak your message and tap Done. Apple Using either method, you can reply to intercom messages as well. Say "Hey Siri, reply..." or reply to a specific room by saying, "Hey Siri, reply to bedroom..." followed by your message after receiving an intercom message.

Does Intercom Work Without HomePod

The Apple Intercom function will work without an Apple HomePod, but there's a catch. You must have a HomePod installed in your home to set up a Home network, and without that, you cannot use the Intercom feature. So, while Intercom will technically work without a HomePod (for example, you can use it from your Apple CarPlay before you get home to make an announcement), you still have to have a HomePod to set it up. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What's the Point of Apple's iPad Smart Home Docking Accessory? How to Use Google Assistant on iPhone How to Use Siri on iPhone 12 How to Use Apple Watch With Siri How to Use Google Home as a House Intercom System How to Use Google Home With Your iPhone How to Make Phone Calls With Your HomePod How to Use Apple AirPlay With HomePod How To Update Your HomePod How to Use an Echo Dot as an Intercom How to Reset a HomePod mini Bixby vs. Siri: Which Is Best? How to Set up Apple HomePod Apple HomePod Mini Review: Music, Siri, and More How to Fix the Most Common HomePod Mini Problems How to Reset a HomePod Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies