HomePod Works Abroad in English Only, Other Languages Coming in Future Software Updates

While the HomePod is initially launching in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom next month, MacRumors can confirm that Apple's smart speaker will function in most other countries around the world.

homepodwhite
When users try to set up the HomePod outside of those aforementioned countries, a dialogue box will appear that directs them to choose one of three English language options to proceed. We can confirm this setup process can be completed, and that the HomePod functions, in mostly any country from day one.

The setup process was leaked by Guilherme Rambo‏ back in August:


What this all means is that if you manage to purchase a HomePod from one of the initial launch countries, you could take it back home to a country like Canada or elsewhere in Europe and it should function properly, but until Siri gains support for additional languages, you'll be stuck using English only.

While this information isn't all that surprising, we decided to share it given an influx of questions we have received from our international readers.

Apple today announced the HomePod will be available to order this Friday, January 26 in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom for $349, $499, and £319 respectively. Those orders will begin arriving to customers, alongside limited in-store availability, starting Friday, February 9.

Apple said the HomePod will launch in France and Germany this spring, marking the first countries where English isn't the primary language spoken where the speaker will be available. As mentioned, a future software update should add French and German language support to Siri on the HomePod.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Buy Now)

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
icloud private relay outage

iCloud Private Relay Experiencing Outage

Thursday July 25, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service is down for some users, according to Apple’s System Status page. Apple says that the iCloud Private Relay service may be slow or unavailable. The outage started at 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time, but it does not appear to be affecting all iCloud users. Some impacted users are unable to browse the web without turning iCloud Private Relay off, while others are...

Top Rated Comments

bbplayer5 Avatar
85 months ago
What a ridiculous price.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Woyzeck Avatar
85 months ago
So in other words: there‘ll be many countries that‘ll never get Siri on their speakers, as is currently the case with Siri on AppleTV.

It‘s a shame that such a big company is unable to support all of their markets within reasonable time. Non-english speakers are always second class customers.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justperry Avatar
85 months ago
What a ridiculous price.
Maybe, but what is really ridiculous is that Apple/people think this can output *great sound, fact, it can't.


*For a 7" tall speaker
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac-lover3 Avatar
85 months ago
Maybe, but what is really ridiculous is that Apple/people think this can output *great sound, fact, it can't.


*For a 7" tall speaker
Because you have already heard it in real life?

EDIT: I know that there are limitations because of the size.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macs4nw Avatar
85 months ago
Maybe, but what is really ridiculous is that Apple/people think this can output *great sound, fact, it can't.


*For a 7" tall speaker
Physically speaking, it obviously can't rival audiophile quality, nor is it designed to.

However, with an announced down-firing woofer and seven-tweeter array it could still sound amazing and be a great improvement over the multitude of inexpensive 'junk' powered speakers a lot of people use for shared listening.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rbgaynor Avatar
85 months ago
But if it flops they'll just cover it up like they did with the Apple Watch. I actually hope these surveillance speakers go the way of the dodo.
Apple Watch is currently a $6 billion a year business - I'm sure Apple would love to see HomePod be as big a "flop."
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)