Skip to main content

How to update your HomePod or HomePod mini

Apple HomePod 2023
Zeke Jones / Digital Trends

The HomePod and HomePod mini are two of the best smart speakers compatible with Apple HomeKit. Offering impressive sound quality, eye-catching designs, and access to the Siri voice assistant, the two gadgets are a perfect centerpiece for any smart home. Best of all, Apple is continuously improving their performance through software updates – and most of the time these are installed automatically.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

10 minutes

What You Need

  • HomePod or HomePod mini

  • iOS device

  • Home app

However, if you want to manually check for updates and make sure you’re running the latest software, there are a few easy steps you can take. Here’s how to update your HomePod or HomePod mini.

Apple HomePod 2023
Zeke Jones / Digital Trends

How to update your HomePod or HomePod mini

Regardless of whether you’re using a HomePod or HomePod mini, the updating process is the same. Simply open up the Home app on your iOS device (after verifying that it’s running the latest software), and follow these steps.

Step 1: In the Home app, select the More button.

Step 2: Next, go to the Settings menu and select Software Update.

Step 3: If Apple has released an update that’s yet to be installed on your device, you’ll be able to select the Update button.

Step 4: You can also toggle the settings for Automatic Updates. It’s recommended that you leave this turned on, as it’ll ensure you’re always running the latest software. The Software Update menu will also tell you which version your HomePod is running.

Step 5: Keep in mind that software updates might take a bit of time to complete, and your HomePod might not be fully responsive while the update is happening. You’ll know an update is in progress by the spinning white light on your HomePod — while this is active, be sure to keep your HomePod plugged in.

Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
Customize your home with the Nanoleaf Shapes hexagon kit — $30 off right now
Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon on a wall.

Installing smart lights is among the easiest ways to literally add more color to your home. However, if you prefer something beyond simple smart light bulbs, you may want to go for the Nanoleaf Shapes Ultra Black Hexagons Smarter Kit. The bundle, which includes nine panels, is on sale from Best Buy for only $190, which is $30 lower than its original price of $220. We're not sure how long stocks will last, so if you're interested, we highly recommend moving forward with your purchase right now.

Why you should buy the Nanoleaf Shapes Ultra Black Hexagons Smarter Kit
The Nanoleaf Shapes smart lights received a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars in our review, which means you're probably going to love the Nanoleaf Shapes Ultra Black Hexagons Smarter Kit. You'll get nine hexagon light panels with a 360-degree black finish with this bundle, so you'll be able to create your own patterns and designs. If you need more, thankfully, Nanoleaf's permanent price cuts means you'll be able to buy additional Nanoleaf Shapes Ultra Black Hexagons Smarter Kits -- or even other Nanoleaf Shapes to combine with these hexagons.

Read more
Want smart lights for your home? Get this Nanoleaf Skylight bundle at $50 off
The Nanoleaf Skylight lighting up a room various shades of purple.

If you're thinking about installing smart lights in your home but you want something more than just simple smart light bulbs, you need to check out the Nanoleaf Skylight -- especially now that you can get it with a discount. A three-pack of the modular smart ceiling light usually sells for $250, but you can currently purchase it from Best Buy at $50 off so you'll only have to pay $200. With these savings, buying multiples of the bundle will be lighter on your wallet, but you're going to have to act fast because this deal expires at the end of the month.

Why you should buy the Nanoleaf Skylight
Smart lights can improve your home in a lot of ways by allowing you to control their LEDs through your smartphone or with the help of your preferred digital assistant. The Nanoleaf Skylight takes things further as it's a modular smart light that can be mounted flush to your ceiling. With its diffused multi-point lighting for even illumination with reduced shadowing, it can mimic the effect of the natural sky. The best part about the Nanoleaf Skylight is that you can install multiples -- it's possible to hard-wire the main controller panel with up to 99 additional squares.

Read more
The Anker Solix F3800 Plus is a portable power station with enough juice to run your entire home
Anker Solix F3800 Plus in a home

After launching the Solix F3800 in 2024, Anker is back this year with the enhanced Solix F3800 Plus. Built with enough power to run all the electronics and appliances in your entire home, it looks like the ideal company to have around during emergencies and outages.

Featuring a 6,000-watt AC output to run large appliances such as washers, dryers, and air conditioners, it’ll keep your home running as intended even when the grid is unavailable. The unit offers a capacity of 3,840 watt-hours, though it can be expanded by attaching up to 12 optional battery packs for a staggering maximum capacity of 53,760 watt-hours. So no matter how much energy you need, you can scale up your power station to handle all sorts of equipment.

Read more