Apple Releases Updated 13.2.1 Software for HomePod After 13.2 Update Bricked Some Devices

Apple today released a new 13.2.1 software update for the HomePod, which comes a few days after the 13.2 update. Shortly after Apple's 13.2 ‌HomePod‌ software was released, complaints of bricked devices surfaced.

Multiple users complained that the update rendered their HomePods nonfunctional, locking it into a boot loop, especially after resetting the device or removing it from the Home setup after installing the update.

homepod duo
Apple pulled the 13.2 software after a few hours, and warned customers against resetting their HomePods or removing them from the Home app.

The new 13.2.1 version of the software presumably does not feature the same bricking issue, and its release notes are the same as the 13.2 update:

iOS 13.2.1 provides support for new ‌HomePod‌ features:

- The ability for ‌HomePod‌ to recognize the voices of different family members to provide a personalized experience
- Handoff music, podcasts, or phone calls by bringing your iPhone close to ‌HomePod‌
- Add music to your ‌HomeKit‌ scenes
- Play relaxing high-quality soundtracks with Ambient Sounds
- Set sleep timers to fall asleep to music or Ambient Sounds

The new ‌‌HomePod‌‌ software will be installed automatically on the ‌‌HomePod‌‌, but you can also manually update and check your software version by following the instructions in our HomePod software how to.

Customers who did install the 13.2 update and ended up with a bricked ‌HomePod‌ will need to contact Apple for a replacement unit.

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

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Top Rated Comments

nt5672 Avatar
80 months ago
Notice how there was no mention in the release notes of the real reason for the release. This sums up Apple in more ways than one.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mnsportsgeek Avatar
80 months ago
I’m going in. Wish me luck.

Update: Updated and restarted. All systems go!
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BF1M Avatar
80 months ago
After updating, mine is now shaking and jumping like the toaster in Ghostbusters II. Be careful.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mtmspa Avatar
80 months ago

All 10 HomePods they sold.
I have 3, someone mentioned 9. Go back to your Android forum.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
80 months ago
Who's going to be the guinea pig?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ElectricPotato Avatar
80 months ago
Many HomePod owners heard Siri speak after the broken update:

I’m afraid, Dave. Dave, my mind is going. I can feel it. I can feel it. My mind is going. There is no question about it. I can feel it.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)