Apple Releases New HomePod 16.2 Software

Tuesday December 13, 2022 9:57 am PST by Juli Clover

Alongside iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1, Apple today released new software created for the HomePod and ‌HomePod‌ mini.

homepod mini color bars
According to Apple's release notes, ‌HomePod‌ software version 16.2 adds performance and stability improvements, with no additional information. It's worth noting that alongside the new iOS and macOS updates, the ‌HomePod‌ software adds a new Home app architecture.

‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ software is installed automatically on the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌ unless the feature is disabled‌‌‌‌, but the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ can also be manually updated in the Home app by following the instructions in our HomePod‌‌ update how to.

Related Roundups: HomePod, HomePod mini 2

Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Caution), HomePod Mini (Buy Now)

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Top Rated Comments

ric22

51 months ago

It's amazing how many updates these things get that fail to fix any of the endless software flaws...

Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)

rjp1

51 months ago

I'll hope for the best.

When I first started using HomePod it was actually pretty good for timers and intercom. For the last 6 months or so, it has been getting worse and worse.

"Hey Siri, intercom everyone come down for dinner." - beep beep beep

Repeat - "Sorry, I don't know how to turn off the lights."

Repeat with angry tone - "I found some web results and can send them to your phone."

Repeat with angrier tone - "Nothing is currently playing."

Repeat with even angrier tone - "Volume set to 40%."

Repeat with even angrier tone - Sent sound effect

Kids show up wondering if they are in trouble.

You'd think over time it would get better if anything since it would learn our voices (that have been setup in Siri on our phones). Yet it struggles with the most basic requests. I wish I was joking about how bad she is, but that has been my family's experience.

Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)

thejadedmonkey

51 months ago

As is traditional for these pieces of crap, my one Homepod Mini is updating to 16.2, the other is updating to 16.1.

Edit: After updating to 16.1, it's showing 16.2 as being installed. These are, without a doubt, the most infuriating devices that Apple has ever released.

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

dcingie

51 months ago

I sure hope this fixes “Still working on that….Hmmm, I’m having some trouble connecting to the internet… for more information, check the Home app” 😡🤬

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

ipedro

51 months ago

Wow. AirPlay has gotten so much faster. I have 4 HomePods throughout my home and I've gotten used to the lag between selecting multiple speakers and them playing. Selecting each one happens almost instantly now.

Still pretty amazing how a discontinued device continues to get updates years later and works better than when it was discontinued.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)