Set default music service on HomePod

The HomePod uses Apple Music by default. Users can link their subscription and stream music endlessly. Apple gives developers the option to integrate the HomePod, so you can set another music service as the default on the speaker.

Unfortunately, many streaming services have not yet embraced the HomePod and the choice is limited. In addition to Apple Music, you also have the choice of setting Deezer or YouTube Music as the standard music service in the Netherlands and Belgium. In the US this is also possible for Pandora and iHeartRadio.

Standard music service HomePod

When purchasing, you can easily link your Apple Music account to the HomePod. When setting up the speaker, you can link your Apple ID and automatically use Apple Music. If you don’t have Apple Music, you can use the HomePod as an AirPlay speaker or use TuneIn radio. You can also connect another music service.

Apple Music for HomePod

Not surprisingly, Apple Music offers seamless integration with the HomePod, allowing users to effortlessly play their favorite songs and playlists with voice commands via Siri, and optimizes sound quality for the HomePod experience, resulting in fantastic audio performance.

You can connect Apple Music when setting up the HomePod or afterwards via Home ▸ Three dots ▸ Home settings ▸ Owner ▸ Apple Music ▸ Use in Home.

Link YouTube Music to HomePod

It has recently become possible to link a YouTube Music subscription or YouTube Premium subscription to HomePod and use it as a standard music service. Then you can stream music from YouTube Music directly from the HomePod.

• Open the YouTube Music app
• Tap your profile picture
• Go to Settings’
• Select ‘Connected apps’
• Choose ‘Connect to HomePod’
• Log in with your Google account
• Confirm the link by following the steps

You can then set YouTube Music as your default music service via Home ▸ Three dots ▸ Home settings ▸ Owner (your name) ▸ default service ▸ YouTube Music.

Using Deezer on HomePod

• Open Deezer on your iPhone or iPad
• Go to the settings
• Select ‘Connect with HomePod’ in the overview
• Tap Continue
• Follow the onscreen steps to initiate pairing

You can then set Deezer as the default music service via Home ▸ Three dots ▸ Home settings ▸ Owner (your name) ▸ standard service ▸ Deezer.

Siri gets to know your music service

Since HomePod software 17.4, Siri has learned which media service you prefer to use, so you no longer have to include the name of the media app in your request. ‘Play music via YouTube Music’ will eventually no longer be necessary. Siri learns which service you have often used in the past so that it is set up automatically. It is then no longer necessary to indicate in the settings which service should be set as default and ‘Play music’ will then suffice.

Stream radio stations on HomePod

In addition to millions of songs from Apple Music or other music services, you can also stream and play radio stations on a HomePod. Discover new songs at NPO Radio 2 or listen to music non-stop via SkyRadio, it’s all possible.

All you have to do is ask Siri to play a radio station. The HomePod uses TuneIn, iHeartRadio and Radio.com for this. This allows you to stream Dutch, Belgian and foreign radio stations directly and for free.