Apple Releases New HomePod 16.2 Software

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

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
top stories 2025 12 27

Top Stories: iPhone Fold Mockup, Where's the New Apple TV?, and More

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:00 am PST by
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from MacRumors! News in the Apple world has unsurprisingly been relatively slow over the past week, but Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone managed to make its way back into the news, while we also shared updates on current and future Apple TV news. iOS 26.3 will be bringing some new features, particularly for users in the EU, so we'll look for additional...

Top Rated Comments

ric22 Avatar
40 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 Avatar
40 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 Avatar
40 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 Avatar
40 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 Avatar
40 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)
nezr Avatar
40 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.

Same thing is happening to mine!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)