can you use a HomePod mini over bluetooth only without wifi?

HomePod is not a conventional Bluetooth speaker. You must have a working Wi-Fi connection in order to set up HomePod. Once suitably configured it is possible to use HomePod for peer to peer AirPlay when a Wi-Fi connection to the Internet isn't available. See Allow others to control audio on HomePod and allow access for Everyone.

tt2

Greetings, beckus0101!

Welcome to Apple Support Communities! If we understand correctly, you want to know if it's possible to use your HomePod mini over Bluetooth but not use Wi-Fi. We can understand wanting to have more information about this feature. Take a moment to review this guide for how to Set up HomePod. As it shows, your device needs to be updated to the newest version of the software and has to connect to both Bluetooth and the Wi-Fi network that you want HomePod to use.

We hope this helps to clarify for you.

Cheers!

Hello again. You can see I've flipped on whether or not this works from the other thread - HomePod mini without wifi - Apple Community. The lack of consistency is very dull. Nothing in Allow others to control audio on HomePod indicates that HomePod mini might behave any differently from HomePod.

tt2

The HomePod works without wifi, the Mini does not appear to. I wanted to take it to a cabin which lacks WiFi, but I think I’ll be limited to the big HomePod.

Super unfortunate. The mini works while connected to an external USBC battery, and this feature could have made it vaguely portable.

Hmm, I take it back. Despite appearances and suggestions elsewhere I cannot get HomePod to work without a Wi-Fi connection for local AirPlay. 😕

tt2