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Apple Releases HomePod Software 26 With Crossfade and AirPlay Improvements

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Along with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, Apple today released new HomePod 26 software for the ‌HomePod‌ and HomePod mini.

homepod green
‌HomePod‌ Software 26 adds support for crossfade, a feature that's designed to more smoothly transition between songs. It also includes AirPlay improvements, with Apple's release notes available below.

Software version 26 includes support for crossfade with Apple Music and AirPlay improvements. This update also includes bug fixes and stability improvements.

- Crossfade on HomePod smoothly transitions between songs by fading out the currently playing song while fading in the next so the music never stops.
- When using AirPlay to play audio on HomePod, you can now ask Siri on HomePod to play to another HomePod speaker in your home.

‌‌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 on iPhone, iPad, or Mac by tapping on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then selecting the Software Update option.

Related Roundups: HomePod, HomePod mini
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Caution), HomePod Mini (Don't Buy)
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Top Rated Comments

L
Lex1
11 months ago

How do we turn off Crossfade for HonePods as I don’t see the option.
I do see it in the Music app settings - does this setting apply to music requested on the HomePod?
Home app - … - settings - user - apple music - crossfade
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
Mactagonist
11 months ago

Does this apply to the original HomePod too?
Yes
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dustin_ Avatar
dustin_
11 months ago
thankful for crossfade, but it’s ridiculous it took this long.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kagharaht Avatar
kagharaht
11 months ago

I'm hesitant to update in our office, as we have over 20 HomePods (some single, some stereo paired and connected to Apple TVs), 18.6 has been really stable, we have it starting music through a HomeKit scene when we open up the office, it starts on all speakers, music plays with only the very occasional cutout, etc. I don't want the new software to take a backwards step. IYO, does it seem like all is good here or even improved?
I'll try to remember to let you know it this thread when they auto update. I let them do it on their own.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Q
QandnotU
11 months ago

This thing is almost there. It can now play on all 10 of my HP if I ask it too or use scenes. Now the only thing left is the synch drifting on random speakers. Eventually it fixes itself. It stops playing for a min or more than plays again in sync... Ever since version 15 that screwed it all up, it's taken all this time and updates to fix it...
I'm hesitant to update in our office, as we have over 20 HomePods (some single, some stereo paired and connected to Apple TVs), 18.6 has been really stable, we have it starting music through a HomeKit scene when we open up the office, it starts on all speakers, music plays with only the very occasional cutout, etc. I don't want the new software to take a backwards step. IYO, does it seem like all is good here or even improved?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
SteveJobs2.0
11 months ago
Does this apply to the original HomePod too?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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