How can I stop HomePod mini from playing music automatically?

Have you still had this issue? I just experienced this same problem with our HomePod. We have no automations, access to play speakers or tv is set to only my partner and myself since we are the only ones connected to the network.

it was spooky to say the least.

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.

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’

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.

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 😊

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 😊

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 

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 

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’m surprised that did not work.

I recently noticed something else that causes the HomePods to start on their own. If you have your TV on and an Apple commercial comes on - the commercial may be one that promotes using Siri. The commercial says ‘Hey Siri’. I noticed iPhone responded by starting Siri. I remember somewhere there is a setting to recognize only certain voices. You might look for that setting. Personally I would not open the HomePod and disconnect the touch panel. If you accidentally break something, Apple may not repair the HomePod. They are very picky about how their products are serviced.

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.