Here's how to play ambient sounds on your HomePod

One of the features that Apple added to the HomePod with the 13.2.1 update is the ability to play ambient sounds. Here's how to get them to play until you tell them to stop, or on a timer.

Once you get a handle of what Siri is looking for, the syntax is easy. You've got seven six options for ambient noise, above and beyond white noise.

Fireplace
Forest
Night
Ocean
Rain
Stream

For instance, to get the HomePod to play stream sounds until you want them to stop, say:

Hey Siri, play stream sounds

For the white noise generator, say:

Hey Siri, play white noise

To get those sounds to play for 30 minutes and shut off, start the sound of choice and say:

Hey Siri, set a sleep timer for 30 minutes

In our personal experience, we like the rain, stream, and fireplace sounds. Apple's stereo separation on a pair of HomePods is good — and it won't let you alter the volume up or down.

There is repetition after about 15 minutes, it seems, but you really have to pay attention to the loop to see it. If you're trying to get to sleep, or focusing on a task, you won't even notice the repeat point.

22 Comments

psych_guy 16 Years · 486 comments

About 5 years ago

I love my HomePods. I’m excited to hear the new sounds. One thing I wish I could do is set an alarm and wake up to the music of my choice, like a playlist or an album. That isn’t possible is it? Or am I missing something?

jeromec 12 Years · 214 comments

I can't believe how undiscoverable this is.

Having voice as the only option to use ambient sounds is ridiculous.

My HomePods are set up in French so I have to guess how to translate this in French.
Totally ridiculous.

I tried the French for "play ambient sounds" ... and it plays a "Mood" playlist.

1 Like · 0 Dislikes

OhMatron 6 Years · 1 comment

psych_guy said:

I love my HomePods. I’m excited to hear the new sounds. One thing I wish I could do is set an alarm and wake up to the music of my choice, like a playlist or an album. That isn’t possible is it? Or am I missing something?

Have a look at Automation with the Home app on iOS. I have my HomeKit enabled lights turn on automatically at 9pm, so this should be too difficult

having just tried it, I can automate my Apple TV at a particular time of day, so this should be possible.

SpaceGrayAllDay 6 Years · 14 comments

OhMatron said:

psych_guy said:

I love my HomePods. I’m excited to hear the new sounds. One thing I wish I could do is set an alarm and wake up to the music of my choice, like a playlist or an album. That isn’t possible is it? Or am I missing something?

Have a look at Automation with the Home app on iOS. I have my HomeKit enabled lights turn on automatically at 9pm, so this should be too difficult

having just tried it, I can automate my Apple TV at a particular time of day, so this should be possible.

I have my HomePod set to play music when I arrive home using the home app. You can also set an alarm of sorts by creating a rule that starts your HomePod and your given time.

2 Likes · 0 Dislikes

OhMatron said:

psych_guy said:

I love my HomePods. I’m excited to hear the new sounds. One thing I wish I could do is set an alarm and wake up to the music of my choice, like a playlist or an album. That isn’t possible is it? Or am I missing something?

Have a look at Automation with the Home app on iOS. I have my HomeKit enabled lights turn on automatically at 9pm, so this should be too difficult

having just tried it, I can automate my Apple TV at a particular time of day, so this should be possible.

Oh man, if I could have it automate my Apple TVs too, that would be freaking awesome. I'll look into it. Thanks for the tip!