How can I stop HomePod mini from playing music automatically?

The solution is actually pretty simple.

The factory default is for the HomePod to listen for

Siri

Or

Hey Siri

Sometimes the HomePod mini thinks it hears ‘Siri’. When there is no response, it will choose something to play in its own.

You need to set the HomePod mini to listen for only ‘Hey Siri’

Go into the settings

Go to ‘Listen for Siri’

You will see 2 options

1. ‘Hey Siri’ or ‘Siri’

2 ‘Hey Siri’

Choose the second option

‘Hey Siri’

I had the same issue but found this suggestion and it worked. I think my HomePod touch control is the issue. Workaround is this ...

Open the Home app, then select the HomePod, scroll down to Accessibility, turn on Touch accommodations and finally enable Hold Duration, set it to a few seconds (as of writing, 4 seconds is the maximum). Do the same for Ignore repeat.

Fixed 😊

Turns out to be an easy fix.

By default, HomePod Mini’s are set to recognize ‘Siri’ and ‘Hey Siri’. Go into the settings and choose to use only ‘Hey Siri’. For some reason HomePod mini’s mistake a lot of sounds as ‘Siri’

Go into Settings

Go down to Listen for “Hey Siri”

You will see 2 options

First option ’Siri’ or ‘Hey Siri’

Second option ‘Hey Siri’

Choose ‘Hey Siri’

I have not had a problem with my HomePod mini’s randomly playing music or anything else since I made the change about 4 or 5 months ago.

Do you have other devices or people in your home that would be able to connect to your HomePod and play music? If so, you may want to use the steps in the section "Require a password to play audio on HomePod" from the article here: Play audio on HomePod using an iOS or iPadOS device - Apple Support

Also, in the article the section "Allow others to control audio on HomePod" mentions the following:

"Allow others to control audio on HomePod

1. In the Home app on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap , then tap Home Settings.
2. Note: If you have more than one home, you see settings for your current home (based on your location). To edit a different home, tap Homes, then tap the home you want to edit.
3. Tap Allow Speaker & TV Access and choose one of the following options:

• • Everyone: Gives access to everyone nearby.
  • Anyone On the Same Network: Gives access to those connected to your Wi-Fi network.
  • Only People Sharing This Home: Gives access to those you’ve invited to share your home (in the Home app) and who are connected to your Wi-Fi network."

Using these steps you'll want to check your current sharing options. If the issue continues, test a normal restart of your HomePod using the section "Restart HomePod" here: Change HomePod settings

The factory default is for the HomePod to listen for

Siri

Or

Hey Siri

Sometimes the HomePod mini thinks it hears ‘Siri’. When there is no response, it will choose something to play in its own.

You need to set the HomePod mini to listen for only ‘Hey Siri

Go into the settings

Go to ‘Listen for Siri’

You will see 2 options

1. ‘Hey Siri’ or ‘Siri’

2 ‘Hey Siri’

Choose the second option

‘Hey Siri’

I have a pair of HomePod 2 speakers connected to an Apple TV 4K. Everything was working normally until one day I noticed that music would start playing randomly in the middle of the night, with no apparent pattern. Even after changing the settings to require a 4-second press for activation, the issue persisted, though less frequently.

When I had some free time, I reset the HomePods and tested them individually without connecting them to the Apple TV. I discovered that one of the HomePods had an abnormal touch panel that would automatically register multiple touches. Sometimes, when rebooting after changing settings, it would automatically enter reset mode (as if the touch panel was being pressed during startup).

I eventually opened up the problematic HomePod and disconnected the touch panel's ribbon cable (the display and touch functions are separate). After this, everything worked normally. So, if you find that your settings are reset after a reboot, accompanied by three beeps, it's likely a touch panel issue. Since the touch panel isn't essential, you can simply disconnect it.

Based on current testing results, the issue is with the upper touch module. This problem can occur in both HomePod 2 and HomePod mini. To identify the problematic unit, you need to ungroup the speakers and use them individually. Once you've identified which one is malfunctioning, you can open it up and remove the touch control ribbon cable. This resolves the issue, although you won't be able to use the top touch controls manually anymore. However, Siri and the display will still function normally.

I had the same issue but found this suggestion and it worked. I think my HomePod touch control is the issue. Workaround is this ...

Open the Home app, then select the HomePod, scroll down to Accessibility, turn on Touch accommodations and finally enable Hold Duration, set it to a few seconds (as of writing, 4 seconds is the maximum). Do the same for Ignore repeat.

Fixed 😊

Same thing happened with Homepod2 pair. Drove me nuts!

Resetting to factory settings solved it.

Reset HomePod - Apple Support

This stops the HomePod mini from playing on its own.  It does work.  I have not had my HomePod mini’s start by themselves since I made this change about 6 months ago. 

Go into HomePod mini settings 

Go down to ‘Listen for Hey Siri’

Go into ‘Listen for Hey Siri’

You will see 2 options 

Option 1   “Siri” or “Hey “Siri”

Option 2   “Hey Siri”

Choose option 2  “Hey Siri”

Exit out of settings 

I recently experienced this issue on one of my HomePod Mini to the point we were joking it was possessed. I tried a number of different ways to resolve this issue over a three week period such as resetting the unit, adjusting accessibility settings, wiping the unit down, vacuuming it and performing a factory reset. In the end the only resolution I have found was to gently heat up the touchscreen with hair dryer for about 5 minutes. After 2 weeks the issue has not returned. Hoping it was related to some sort of moisture build up over winter.

I saw this thread as one of mine started randomly as well - i turned off “Siri” but not “hey siri” & it worked

FYI - I have 3 (1 x mini)

all on the latest software

I turned this off through the home app

Steve

Update: I contacted Apple support. They were very receptive to my issue and replaced the HomePod Mini. I am happy to be proof that Apple stands by its products and offers great customer service. (I do not work for the company!!)

HomePod Mini Solution

This stops the HomePod mini from playing on its own.  It does work.  I have not had my HomePod mini’s start by themselves since I made this change about 6 months ago. 

Go into HomePod mini settings 

Go down to ‘Listen for Hey Siri’

Go into ‘Listen for Hey Siri’

You will see 2 options 

Option 1   “Siri” or “Hey “Siri”

Option 2   “Hey Siri”

Choose option 2  “Hey Siri”

Exit out of settings 

This stops the HomePod mini from playing on its own.  It does work.  I have not had my HomePod mini’s start by themselves since I made this change about 6 months ago. 

Go into HomePod mini settings 

Go down to ‘Listen for Hey Siri’

Go into ‘Listen for Hey Siri’

You will see 2 options 

Option 1   “Siri” or “Hey “Siri”

Option 2   “Hey Siri”

Choose option 2  “Hey Siri”

Exit out of settings 

This stops the HomePod mini from playing on its own.  It does work.  I have not had my HomePod mini’s start by themselves since I made this change about 6 months ago. 

Go into HomePod mini settings 

Go down to ‘Listen for Hey Siri’

Go into ‘Listen for Hey Siri’

You will see 2 options 

Option 1   “Siri” or “Hey “Siri”

Option 2   “Hey Siri”

Choose option 2  “Hey Siri”

Exit out of settings