Dina Bader: Set more than one timer with your HomePod or HomePod mini

Don't limit yourself to just one timer at a time! Use your HomePod or HomePod mini for all of your needs.

The HomePod and HomePod mini are great for setting timers, but did you know that you can specify more than one at a time? While there have been hacks and tricks you could try to jury-rig this functionality in the past, with the launch of iOS 12 and the subsequent HomePod software update, you can set multiple timers without any additional hassle. Here's how to set multiple timers on HomePod or HomePod mini.

Make sure that your HomePod or HomePod mini is up to date

Before you can set multiple timers, you'll want to make sure that the software on your HomePod or HomePod mini is up to date. Multiple timers functionality is only available in iOS 12 and later, so if you are running anything older, you need to upgrade. To do that, you'll need to check for an update using the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.

How to install software updates for your HomePod

How to set multiple timers on HomePod or HomePod mini

Setting multiple timers on your HomePod or HomePod mini is as simple as asking Siri for them.

Say "Hey Siri" or tap and hold on the display on the top of your HomePod to activate Siri.
Say "Set a timer for (amount of time)" to set your first timer. Optionally, you can give your timer a name when setting it up by saying something like "Set a steak timer for (amount of time)" if you want.
Activate Siri again.
Say "Set a timer for (amount of time)" to set your second timer. You can also name this timer if you'd like.
Repeat these steps to continue setting timers.

Once your timers are running, you can ask Siri about the progress on an individual timer by asking about it directly (e.g., "Hey Siri, how is my steak timer?"). You can also say, "Hey Siri, how are my timers?" to get a status update on all of your active timers.