HomePod mini update brings enhanced proximity features

Apple updated the software for HomePod mini on Tuesday, adding enhancements to its proximity features.

These new features affect how your HomePod mini and iPhone interact with each other. For example, if you bring your iPhone close to the HomePod mini, you can hand off music with visual, audible, and haptic effects that make it feel like your devices are physically connected.

If you are playing music on your HomePod mini, your iPhone will show the media controls without unlocking your iPhone. This allows you to adjust the volume, fast forward, rewind, etc. The change also allows anyone in the house to hold their iPhone close to the mini and see the same controls.

If nothing is playing on the HomePod mini and you hold your iPhone close to it, you will get personalized listening suggestions.

The HomePod is set to update automatically by default, but you can manually update the software by going to the Home Settings in the Home app.