Source: Christopher Close / iMore
With the release of iOS 14.2 for iPhone, iPad, HomePod and HomePod mini, your devices can now send quick voice messages to everyone at home with the new intercom feature. Intercom messages are recordings of your real voice that instantly reach the people and HomePods you’ve enabled in the iOS Home app. Here’s how to use the intercom feature and how to manage your home settings.
requirements
To get started, you need to run iOS 14.2 or later on your iOS and HomePod devices and have a home set up in the Home app. The Intercom feature is also available on the Apple Watch with watchOS 7.1 later, as well as AirPods and CarPlay. Unfortunately, the Intercom function is not currently available on macOS or tvOS.
How to configure the intercom in the Home application
After upgrading to iOS 14.2, the configuration of the Intercom function takes place in the Home application. The first time you launch the Home app, an intercom screen will appear guiding you through the setup process. During setup, you will choose notification settings and user permissions.
- Launch The home application.
- touch Keep going when the intercom prompt appears.
Select when you want to receive the intercom Notifications with a touch.
touch Keep going.
- Switch the switch to that of a person Name with one touch to enable or disable intercom access.
touch Keep going to complete the configuration.
How to use iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or HomePod as an intercom with Siri
The easiest way to send an intercom is by using your voice through Siri. This option is available through Siri on all your devices, and with Hey, Siri enabled, messages can be delivered hands-free at any time.
Note: We use iPhone screenshots to illustrate the Siri interactions of commands, but you can use Siri directly on your HomePod, Apple Watch, or iPad to get these results.
Activate Siri and then give a voice command as “Intercom” or Send an intercom “ followed by your message. When you’re done talking, Siri will automatically send the message to everyone at home. If you want to send an intercom message to a specific HomePod or person in your home, give an order like “Intercom in the living room” or Christopher Intercom followed by your message
How to use your iPhone or iPad as an intercom with the Home app
You can also use the Home app available on your iPhone or iPad to send intercom messages with just a few taps. Messages will still include your real voice through the Home app, and your messages need confirmation before you can send them.
- Launch The home application.
- Click on interphone icon located at the top right.
Speak Message which you want to send home, then tap Done to send.
- To cancel a message, tap X icon or tap anywhere outside the intercom screen.
How to use Apple Watch as an intercom with the Home application
As with iOS, you can use the Home app on watchOS 7.1 and later to send intercom messages. Using the Home app, you can cancel a message before it goes out, which will no doubt be useful.
- Launch The home application.
- Click on interphone button.
Speaks Message which you want to send home, then tap Done to send.
- To cancel a message, tap Back icon.
How to manage intercom notifications on iPhone or iPad
With the Home app, you can manage when intercom notifications are active on your iPhone or iPad. You can completely disable intercom notifications if you wish, and you can limit the delivery of intercom notifications only when you are at home or at any time.
- Launch The home application.
- Press House icon.
touch Home settings.
touch interphone.
Select when you want to receive the intercom Notifications with a touch.
- Available options include Not, When I’m home, and Anywhere. These options use location data on your iPhone or iPad to determine when to send intercom notifications, and are only available if you have access to the location set for the Home app.
How to manage HomePod intercom access
If you have multiple HomePods or HomePods around your home, you can use Home to manage which devices can use the Intercom feature. By disabling certain HomePods, you don’t have to worry about troubleshooting notifications in certain locations.
- Launch The home application.
- Press House icon.
touch Home settings.
touch interphone.
Select HomePods that you want to use the intercom with the switch next to the HomePod name.
How to manage intercom permissions
If you share HomeKit accessories with friends and family through the Home app, you can manage who has access to the intercom for your home. By default, anyone you share your home with will have access to the intercom, which may not be ideal for people with whom you don’t. live so you can turn off access in these cases.
- Launch The home application.
- Press House icon.
touch Home settings.
touch interphone.
Switch the switch to that of a person Name with one touch to enable or disable intercom access.
- This feature works with the remote access option for your home, so anyone with permission can send and receive messages even while away from home.
Now that you know how to use the Intercom function, you can attract the attention of everyone at home with a shout. With the Intercom feature, you can use it to call your family when dinner is ready without having to lift a finger, ask a quick question without having to walk over the house, or even use it to light up someone’s day with a personalized voice message.
Questions?
How does the Intercom function work for you? What do you use it for in your household? Need help setting it up? Tell us in the comments below!
