Upgrading your smart speaker may sound like a challenging task. When it comes to Apple’s HomePod and HomePod Mini, though, keeping those gadgets updated is more critical than you might imagine. Along with acquiring new features, many of which can be huge advancements, this is also how you can repair technical issues. With that out of the way, let’s learn how to install software upgrades on your HomePod and HomePod Mini.
Before we begin, we have a helpful hint for you. Your HomePod and HomePod Mini will attempt to install automatic updates by default. Nevertheless, certain features in a new update necessitate a new version of iOS, which operates your iPhone. In that case, your smart speaker will be the final device to update – since you must, in some situations, update your iPhone first.
Apple’s mobile and mobile-adjacent hardware, including the HomePod Mini, is constantly updated. There are major annual releases, such as the upcoming iOS 16 and its variations for HomePod, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV, but in the interim, Apple provides point updates to add new features and solve issues.
The HomePod and HomePod Mini updates are less spectacular and only sometimes provide noticeable new functionality. But those updates continue to exist and are still getting rolled out. Thus, how do you bring the HomePod up to date?
As a result, you can see how useful knowing how to manually update Apple’s HomePod series may be, especially if you’re having problems.
How To Check Manual and Automatic Updates
Updating your HomePod should be fine. Automatic updates should be activated, but if they are not, you must install the update manually.
Conveniently, you can enable this feature from the same menu you would use to apply a manual update. Here’s how to get to it.
Open the App
Establish the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
Click on the House-Shaped Icon
When you activate your Home app, a house-shaped icon will appear in the top-left corner of your iPhone’s screen. After you click it, a drop-down menu should appear, allowing you to further customize your smart home.
Tap on Home Settings
To personalize your smart home, go to “Home Settings,” then scroll down until you locate an item labeled “Software Update.” Finally, tap to open it.
Install the Updates
Eventually, a new panel will appear, and HomePod will check for new updates automatically. Once a new update is discovered, you will be shown an overview of what’s new. Tap “Update” or “Update All” to install that update. If your smart speaker is already up to date, you’ll get a notification at the top of your screen verifying that no additional updates are available.
Activate Automatic Updates
After you check the panel, pay close attention to the list of devices in the “Automatic Updates” list while viewing this panel. You’ll discover your HomePod or HomePod Mini and a switch on the right side. Turning on this switch will enable automatic updates and vice versa.
The update process will take a while, so don’t panic if nothing appears to be occurring during the update process. The light on top will be spinning white while the update is being performed on the speaker.
Furthermore, if you’re expecting an update and want to force-check, slide your finger from the top of the “Software Update” panel; this will direct the Home app to check Apple’s servers for the newest updates.
How Long Will The Updates Take?
As previously indicated, Apple’s HomePod and HomePod Mini software updates can be considerable, especially for major updates given every autumn. As a result, you shouldn’t be concerned if your smart speaker requires a while to download and evaluate the latest update, especially if you don’t have a fast Internet connection.
Also, while updating, your HomePod or HomePod Mini will flash a revolving white light at the top of its touch panel, indicating that it will be inoperable until the procedure is completed. Finally, it is vital not to unplug your smart speaker because doing so may cause significant software errors.
What To Do If Software Cannot Complete update?
The cause of this problem is that you have built an additional home – whether it has a device or not – that conflicts with your present home. So, here’s what you ought to do if it happens.
Delete and Retry
If such issues arise, delete the ‘other’ home and attempt the upgrade with only your current home. To delete, access the Home app first and tap the home icon in the top left. Next, at the bottom, select Remove home> Remove. Check to see whether it resolves the actual HomePod update required problem.
Remove Old Device
If the problem persists, you must unlink any old device linked to your Apple ID linked to HomePod and has reached the end of its update cycle or hasn’t been updated in a long time, then retry the update. Here’s how you could go about it.
To begin, go to Settings and then click Your Name. Then, choose the device you wish to get rid of. Finally, click the Delete from Account button.
Difficulty In Updating Your HomePod? Are updates Not Appearing?
You will suddenly find issues updating your HomePod. Or the updates may not appear in the application. Here are a few things you should do and check to ensure that the upgrades happen well.
Ensure your HomePod is connected to a power source – things do unplug without our notice. Also, if you don’t see a HomePod update you know is ready, ensure you use the iDevice originally used to set up your HomePod.
Sometimes the issue is with your internet connection, so ensure your WiFi is turned on and your iDevice and HomePod are on the same network. If the problem persists, relocate the HomePod closer to your WiFi network. Bring your iDevice up to a few centimeters or inches from your HomePod. Wait a few seconds before checking to see if your HomePod appears in the iDevice’s Home App.
Final Words
By default, your HomePod should automatically upgrade its software; however, this only sometimes happens. You may have turned off the auto-update feature accidentally or on purpose. With this instruction, you can easily update your Apple HomePod.