Apple's Shortcuts is a powerful automation feature. You can basically script a set of actions.
In addition, you can activate Shortcuts by name (including renaming them to whatever phrase you want), using Siri on your iOS device or your HomePod.
Handoff is a way to switch audio from your device to the HomePod, or from the HomePod to your device.
It is supposed to work by bringing your device near the top of the HomePod, but I couldn't get this to work.
You would create the below set of actions using the Shortcuts app on your iOS device.
Shortcut to Switch Audio (Handoff) from HomePod to iOS device
For the life of me I don't know why Apple hasn't just clearly documented every possible shortcuts command online.
Anyway, the shortcut you want is
Hand off playback from [device Source] to [device Destination]
Yes, it is two words, "hand off". To handoff from your HomePod to your iOS device, it's going to be your HomePod name, e.g. it might be called "Den HomePod".
So the Shortcut will look something like
Hand off playback from Den HomePod to iPad.
Shortcut to Switch to Headphones
Once you've switched to your iOS device, there is an additional step if you want to switch to headphones.
The syntax is
Set playback destination to [audio destination]
Again you will need to use your local device name, e.g. "My Cool AirPods Pro". Shortcuts will give you a picklist of available audio devices. Your device will probably need to be connected in order to show up.
Set playback destination to My Cool AirPods Pro
Maybe Optional: Actually Make It Play
I wasn't able to do enough testing to determine whether the audio just switches over and plays continuously, or if you need to give it a nudge to play again. If it doesn't play automatically, try adding the shortcut
Play on [devicename]
e.g.
Play on iPhone
Full Script
So a full example script for switching audio from your Den HomePod to your iPhone, and then playing on My Cool AirPods Pro is:
Hand off playback from Den HomePod to iPhone Set playback destination to My Cool AirPods Pro
Play on iPhone
Give It A Name
You probably want to rename this something like
Switch from HomePod to Headphones
(or "to big / small / black / white headphones" if you have multiple different headphones - you'll need a shortcut for each set of headphones and each shortcut will need a different name)
All being equal, with any audio stream playing on your HomePod you should now be able to just say
"Hey Siri, Switch from HomePod to Headphones"
and the audio should move from your HomePod to your headphones, via your iOS device.
Appendix: Personal Requests
You will almost certainly need Personal Requests enabled to make this work.
You will need to enable Voice Recognition
Apple - Set up voice recognition on HomePod or HomePod mini
and then Personal Requests.
Apple HomePod User Guide - Set up voice recognition and Personal Requests
It will only work for requests using your voice.
Let me know if it works or if you encounter any problems.
Comments