How to Update Your Apple HomePod or HomePod Mini

If you own an Apple HomePod or HomePod mini, keeping its software up-to-date is crucial for ensuring optimal performance, compatibility, and access to the latest features.

Apple regularly releases updates for the HomePod, which include bug fixes, security enhancements, and new functionalities. We’ll guide you through the process of updating your HomePod to the latest version.

First: Automatic Updates on Your HomePod

By default, your HomePod is set to update automatically. When a new software update is available, the HomePod will download and install it on its own, usually overnight when it’s not in use.

This means you don’t have to worry about manually checking for updates or initiating the update process.

However, there may be instances where you want to manually check for updates or force an update, especially if you’re excited about new features or if you suspect that your HomePod hasn’t updated automatically for some reason.

Manually Checking for Updates on Your HomePod

The good news is that if you find automatic updates aren’t working properly, you can manually check for them on your device.

To manually check for updates on your HomePod, follow these steps:

1. Open the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
2. Tap or click on the Home tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Press and hold (or right-click on Mac) on the HomePod icon.
4. Scroll down and tap or click on “Software Update.”
5. If an update is available, you’ll see the version number and a brief description of what’s included in the update.
6. Tap or click on “Install” to begin the update process.

This is the easiest and quickest way to update your HomePod if you find your automatic updates not to be working.

Updating Multiple HomePods

If you have multiple HomePods in your home, you can update them all at once using the Home app. Here’s how:

1. Open the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
2. Tap or click on the Home tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap or click on the “…” button (three dots) in the upper-right corner.
4. Select “Home Settings.”
5. Scroll down and tap or click on “Software Update.”
6. If updates are available for your HomePods, you’ll see them listed here.
7. Tap or click on “Install” next to each HomePod you want to update, or select “Install All” to update all your HomePods at once.

Common Homepod Update Issues

Though for many of us the updates run smoothly, you may find that you can’t update your HomePod. This is usually due to a technical issue, and can be resolved by running through the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Ensure that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your HomePod.
2. Check that your iOS, iPadOS, or macOS device is running the latest version of its operating system.
3. If the update seems to be taking an unusually long time, don’t unplug your HomePod. Let the process complete, as interrupting it could cause software issues.
4. If the update fails, try restarting your HomePod by unplugging it, waiting a few seconds, and then plugging it back in.
5. If the issue persists, you may need to reset your HomePod and set it up again. To do this, press and hold the top of the HomePod until you hear three beeps. Then, follow the setup instructions in the Home app.

Conclusion

By default, updates are installed automatically on your HomePod, but you can also manually check for and install updates using the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

This is generally a pretty simple process, and once done, you can get back to listening to your favorite tunes via Apple Music. Though the original HomePod was discontinued, the 2nd generation release looks to be more popular with Apple fans, not to mention the much cheaper HomePod Mini.