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How to Set a Timer on HomePod

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Apr 12, 2001
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HomePod has built-in Siri functionality, which means it can be used to do a lot of the same things that can be done with an iPhone or an iPod, like setting an alarm or a timer.

If your HomePod is in the kitchen, setting a timer while cooking can be useful, and it's as simple as using a single Siri command.

All you need to say is "Hey Siri, set a timer for [x amount of time]."

heysiritimer-800x447.jpg

You can set a timer for a select number of minutes or hours, with a maximum timer limit of 24 hours. If you ask Siri to set a timer for longer than 24 hours, Siri will suggest you use a Reminder instead.

If you need to know how much time is remaining on the timer, you can ask Siri a question like "Hey Siri, how much time is left on the timer?" and Siri will give you a time update.

When the time is up, the HomePod will play a sound. To stop the timer sound, you can either tap the top of the HomePod or ask Siri to stop it.

Turning Off the Timer

At any point while the timer is running, you can ask Siri to turn it off with a command like "Hey Siri, turn off the timer" or "Hey Siri, pause the timer."

You can also change the timer countdown with a command like "Hey Siri, change the timer to 10 minutes."

Timer Limitations

Unfortunately, you can only set one timer at a time. If you attempt to set a second timer while the first timer you set is still running, Siri will say "A timer is already running at [x minutes]. Would you like to replace it?"

There's also no way to view or manage your HomePod timers on an iOS device like there is with alarms -- timers on HomePod all handled via voice with Siri.

Article Link: How to Set a Timer on HomePod
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/set-a-timer-homepod/
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If you need instructions to do these menial tasks, then the tech is not fit for purpose. And by gingo is it ever over priced.


MacRumors said:



HomePod has built-in Siri functionality, which means it can be used to do a lot of the same things that can be done with an iPhone or an iPod, like setting an alarm or a timer.

If your HomePod is in the kitchen, setting a timer while cooking can be useful, and it's as simple as using a single Siri command.

All you need to say is "Hey Siri, set a timer for [x amount of time]."

heysiritimer-800x447.jpg

You can set a timer for a select number of minutes or hours, with a maximum timer limit of 24 hours. If you ask Siri to set a timer for longer than 24 hours, Siri will suggest you use a Reminder instead.

If you need to know how much time is remaining on the timer, you can ask Siri a question like "Hey Siri, how much time is left on the timer?" and Siri will give you a time update.

When the time is up, the HomePod will play a sound. To stop the timer sound, you can either tap the top of the HomePod or ask Siri to stop it.

Turning Off the Timer

At any point while the timer is running, you can ask Siri to turn it off with a command like "Hey Siri, turn off the timer" or "Hey Siri, pause the timer."

You can also change the timer countdown with a command like "Hey Siri, change the timer to 10 minutes."

Timer Limitations

Unfortunately, you can only set one timer at a time. If you attempt to set a second timer while the first timer you set is still running, Siri will say "A timer is already running at [x minutes]. Would you like to replace it?"

There's also no way to view or manage your HomePod timers on an iOS device like there is with alarms -- timers on HomePod all handled via voice with Siri.

Article Link: How to Set a Timer on HomePod
Click to expand...
 
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Articles like these are good for SEO and generating traffic. Cut them a little slack. Helps pay the bills I’m sure and some people may find it helpful.
 
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As someone who is often called upon to provide "support" for those who are technology challenged, this type of article can provide basic assistance to those unfamiliar with how things work. Someone may have never had a need to use Siri on an iPhone before, but now with a HomePod they find it could be useful, so the basics are needed. Kids may get a HomePod as a gift for a parent or grandparent who struggles with such things.

And these threads show up as searches in Google for others, not just MR forum regulars
 
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Sooooo, were we just bored and thought we’d write something just for the sake of it :p

On another note, the single timer limit completely baffles me. How in gods name could Apple not manage to have more than one? For *#€! sake Apple get a bloody grip. Even my Echo (which I’m not a huge fan of, but got it free from energy supplier, so ehat the hell I’ll give it a go) can do multiple timers no problem.
 
A trick around the single timer problem is to instead set up multiple reminders. So for example you can tell Siri to remind you in 20 minutes to take the cake out of the over and set up as many others as you want.
 
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shk718 said:
A trick around the single timer problem is to instead set up multiple reminders. So for example you can tell Siri to remind you in 20 minutes to take the cake out of the over and set up as many others as you want.
Click to expand...


Now that’s a good tip. If this was in the original post it might make it worthwhile.

Still, no excuse for Apple not integrating proper multiple timers. Shame on you Apple ;)
 
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Funny - I’m sure the article was meant to highlight a feature. But the only thing it does is highlight how inadequate the feature is. I’m surprised that you can set only a single timer on the HomePod. I was always irritated by this limitation on my iPhone.

Stopped using my iPhone for timers ever since I got an Echo. You can set multiple timers on it. It will just say ‘2nd timer started for X minutes’ etc. Quite handy in the kitchen. I’m surprised the HomePod cannot handle a simple thing as multiple timers. I would have assumed that simple feature to be a given. But apparently it’s not.
 
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The problem with reminders is that they don't tell you how much time is left. Cooking is a common example, but so are countdowns to a friend visiting, a vacation, or christmas. The later examples all likely require more than 24 hours.

Arbitrary limits.
 
4jasontv said:
The problem with reminders is that they don't tell you how much time is left. Cooking is a common example, but so are countdowns to a friend visiting, a vacation, or christmas. The later examples all likely require more than 24 hours.

Arbitrary limits.
Click to expand...


So very true. I was using the “Siri remind me” option — particularly when cooking a lot of different dishes when the family’s coming for their scran. But as you say, not seeing the remaining time can be a pain in the backside.

Siri is just not good for timers at all. Well, it’s fine for a single timer but beyond that you’re buggered.

I did make myself an app to get around it a bit, but there’s still limits.
It’s one area where I really do find the Echo to be handy.

I’m not a fan of the Echo or probably the Google option. Simply because when I view what the Echo has been recording without me knowing it because it’s been activated by the TV, or us chatting. No, no, no. That’s not on.**

I don’t care if it’s just random chatting, I don’t like my privacy to be invaded like that. It wouldn’t perhaps be so bad if they obfuscated the information so it wasn’t tied to me specifically. But it is and that’s where I have a problem.

But it’s a difficult decision. I’d like to buy a HomePod, I’d certainly enjoy the better sound quality and integration with Apple Music. But when it comes to smarts, well, there’s a distinct lack of capabilities.

The competition on the other hand is basically the opposite, less security, worse sound, but better integration and smart features overall.

Apple needs to up their game a bit. Or at least, I’d like them to.
Biggest consumer electronics company on the planet. Can’t get a digital assistant right? What the actual *bad word* are they doing with all of that cash?

I’ll stop ranting now, I could write a rather lengthy article on the subject. But I’ll just take a breath, take a pill and listen to Jeff Wayne instead :D

** Yes I know you can disable the microphone, but that rather defeats the purpose of a smart speaker.
 
Abazigal said:
Well, 9to5 Mac had a video showing how the power cable was detachable...
Click to expand...
That was different in there was a lot of discussion on whether the cable was removable (it comes attached in the box), and the fact it takes quite a bit of force to pull off, there was definitely questions on the cable. This is a bit different, I'm not sure we need guides on how to start a timer. What's next a guide on how to direct siri to play music?
 
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maflynn said:
That was different in there was a lot of discussion on whether the cable was removable (it comes attached in the box), and the fact it takes quite a bit of force to pull off, there was definitely questions on the cable. This is a bit different, I'm not sure we need guides on how to start a timer. What's next a guide on how to direct siri to play music?
Click to expand...

Did we have one on how to connect it to a wall socket and turn on the power yet?
 
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