Apple's HomePod 12.1 Software Missing for Most HomePod Users [Update: Fixed] - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple's HomePod 12.1 Software Missing for Most HomePod Users [Update: Fixed]

Apple has been updating the HomePod software alongside major iOS updates, so it was something of a surprise when iOS 12.1 was released yesterday with no accompanying HomePod 12.1 software to go along with it.

As it turns out, though, there is a HomePod 12.1 update, it just appears to be bugged for those who updated their HomePod to the version 12 software after updating to iOS 12.

homepod duo
On Reddit, a user who purchased a brand new HomePod running HomePod software version 11 was able to update to the 12.1 software, which apparently includes stability updates and bug fixes.

On Twitter, developer Khaos Tian said that Apple is offering up the HomePod update with an internal URL that prevents people from downloading it.


Apple may be able to fix this HomePod software issue relatively easily, so we could see the HomePod 12.1 software become available for download shortly.

Update: Just after this article was posted, Apple made the HomePod 12.1 software available. It can be downloaded from the Home app on the iPhone and the iPad by tapping on the house-shaped icon in the upper left, tapping on "Home Settings," selecting your home, and choosing the "Software Update" option.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)

Popular Stories

app store monthly sub commitment

Apple Introduces App Store Monthly Subscriptions With 12-Month Commitment

Monday April 27, 2026 12:52 pm PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of a new subscription option for App Store developers: monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment. The new option allows developers to offer subscribers discounted pricing typically associated with an annual subscription but paid on a monthly basis to keep payments more affordable. This new payment option allows you to offer subscribers more affordable...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

This Is What the iPhone 18 Pro Looks Like

Saturday April 25, 2026 10:00 am PDT by
A recent leak provides our best look yet at the design of Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Leaker Sonny Dickson recently shared images of the first iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone dummy models. The images largely conform with rumors about the designs of the three devices and provide the first real visual confirmation of how they will look. ...
MacBook Pro Low Angle Wide Lens

Apple to Launch 'MacBook Ultra' With These Six New Features

Friday April 24, 2026 10:32 am PDT by
While the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro were just updated with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips last month, bigger changes are reportedly around the corner. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the higher-end MacBook Pro models will be receiving a major redesign by early 2027, and he said that Apple might use "MacBook Ultra" branding for them. If so, the MacBook Ultra would likely be a...

Top Rated Comments

Return Zero Avatar
98 months ago
Manually checking and installing these updates on my living room HomePods while I'm away at work doesn't seem like it will ever get old.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
98 months ago
Even Apple didn't know it was bugged and we're just now getting the story a day later. Just goes to show how few people have Homepods. If this were any other Apple device people would be all over asking where the update is.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mike MA Avatar
98 months ago
Just thinking, hope that HomePods can’t brick as massively and non repairable as the Apple Watch does.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bbednarz Avatar
98 months ago
Manually checking and installing these updates on my living room HomePods while I'm away at work doesn't seem like it will ever get old.
Wish the Apple TVs could do this too!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SantaFeNM Avatar
98 months ago
Mines showing no update to 12.1. I’m running 12.0. Rebooted phone and HomePod no go.

Strange.
Mine was doing the same. Had to swipe down on the Software Update page and then it showed up.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrGimper Avatar
98 months ago
- Hey, Tim, it looks like we’ve never uploaded the update for the HomePod.
- for home what?!
- you know that speaker that we released at the beginning of the year
- oh...
“But we announced it soooo long before the launch, it’s officially obsolete now and that’s why I forgot about it”
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)