Apple Releases New 13.4.8 Software for HomePod - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Releases New 13.4.8 Software for HomePod

Alongside of iOS and iPadOS 13.6, Apple today released new 13.4.8 software for the HomePod. According to Apple's release notes, the update brings no new features and instead focuses on "general improvements for stability and quality."

homepod duo
The new ‌HomePod‌ software comes two months after the release of the ‌HomePod‌ 13.4.5 software, which also included general improvements for stability and quality.

‌HomePod‌‌ software is installed automatically on the ‌‌HomePod‌‌, but the ‌‌HomePod‌‌ can also be manually updated by following the instructions in our ‌‌HomePod‌‌ update how to.

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

Popular Stories

homepod sound glow

HomePod 27.2 Adds Sound Glow to Existing HomePod Models

Monday October 19, 2026 1:31 pm PDT by
Apple's latest software update for the HomePod brings a new Sound Glow feature to the HomePod, HomePod mini, and HomePod mini 2. Apple introduced Sound Glow as a HomePod mini 2 feature, but it's available for the second-generation HomePod and the original HomePod mini too. HomePod Software 27.2 is available as a release candidate update for developers and public beta testers, but it should...
Apple TV 4K Four HomePods3

New Apple TV 4K Supports Surround Sound via Four HomePods

Tuesday October 13, 2026 9:29 am PDT by
As was rumored prior to today's announcements, the new Apple TV 4K can connect to up to four HomePods in front-left, front-right, rear-left, and rear-right positions, enabling an all-Apple surround sound system for home theater setups. You can connect four of the new HomePod mini 2 speakers to the new Apple TV 4K, or you can mix and match pairs of HomePod mini 2 and full-sized HomePod 2...
surround mixed 16x9

New Apple TV 4K Features 'Whole Room Audio' With Four HomePods

Tuesday October 20, 2026 7:02 am PDT by
The new fourth-generation Apple TV 4K announced last week can connect to up to four HomePods in front-left, front-right, rear-left, and rear-right positions, enabling an all-Apple surround sound system for home theater setups. There is also a related new feature that has not received as much attention: Whole Room Audio. Apple says the Whole Room Audio feature spreads sound evenly across four ...

Top Rated Comments

82 months ago

still to rich for me. Finally broke down and got 4 google dot homes :(
Best Buy has them for $200 every other month or so, that's a good deal to me. I enjoy my HomePod and get a lot of use out of it, but $300 is steep and the original $350 was just too much for what it does.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rcforkat Avatar
82 months ago
After learning that HomePods were on sale at BestBuy, I went ahead and bought two of them. I use them as a paired stereo system in my media room and they work great! Great stereo and easy synchronization to my iPhone. Thanks to the person that posted the great sale!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
82 months ago

that’s not the HomePod failing, that’s Siri - internet connection to Apple and their Siri servers.

I’m sure your HomePod functions properly aside from specific or a short range of requests related to Siri.

personally I don’t use Siri as often as I could/should. Call it me being older (40’s) or just old school or just in a condo with 1 HomePod, but it works sweetly as a wireless speaker much more reliable than the Play:1/Play:One from Sonos. The quality, sound volume and frequency range and renege is just so much better, cleaner, louder.

the only issues I’ve experienced with 13.4 and with 13.3/13.2/.1 was the random Siri “Uh-Huh” during the witching hours of the IG HR with no command being sent by me,TV off, iPhone locked and asleep along with myself.Kinda freaky honestly.



is there any network congestion going on? 2.4/5ghz connection? What commands does these errors show up frequently or consistently with?
Yes you old dog... I’m gonna be 40 in october too. :)

No complains about the sound quality! I love the sound from the HomePds. I never saw anything at this size, in this form factor and with this functionality that even comes close.

Connection issues - never thought about it that it can be Siri to servers. I am wondering though why am I not experiencing these on the iPhone or iPad?

Cheers mate, lots oh health and may our 40s represent the first third of our life! ;)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DeepIn2U Avatar
82 months ago

After every update, the HomePods run super smooth. But a couple of days later, Siri keeps telling me to Just a sec....

Whatever... I don't believe in these updates at all for the HomePod.
I thought it was a network issue but that doesn't explain why the work perfect for the first 2-3 days....
that’s not the HomePod failing, that’s Siri - internet connection to Apple and their Siri servers.

I’m sure your HomePod functions properly aside from specific or a short range of requests related to Siri.

personally I don’t use Siri as often as I could/should. Call it me being older (40’s) or just old school or just in a condo with 1 HomePod, but it works sweetly as a wireless speaker much more reliable than the Play:1/Play:One from Sonos. The quality, sound volume and frequency range and renege is just so much better, cleaner, louder.

the only issues I’ve experienced with 13.4 and with 13.3/13.2/.1 was the random Siri “Uh-Huh” during the witching hours of the IG HR with no command being sent by me,TV off, iPhone locked and asleep along with myself.Kinda freaky honestly.


EXACTLY this. My 2 stereo HomePods will work flawlessly now for about a week.

Then “just a sec”, “one more moment”, “there was a problem with the app”, “I didn’t hear back”.
is there any network congestion going on? 2.4/5ghz connection? What commands does these errors show up frequently or consistently with?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
82 months ago
I legitimately forgot the homepod existed
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hooptyuber Avatar
82 months ago

It could be a placebo, but I feel the Airplay connectivity from a Mac has improved in the last couple of updates. Also, did this update change the sound profile, sounds a bit different? Regardless, I love my Homepods... worth every penny I have spent on them!
I think they did do something in this update to improve the sound. I've had a pair of HomePods in stereo in my bedroom for about six months. I had high hopes for a stereo pair but was underwhelmed - poor stereo imaging and a rather overwhelming and inarticulate foghorn bass. I kept them but wasn't thrilled with them.

After this last update, the clarity and stereo image have improved and the flabby bass has tightened up. They must have changed the EQ. I actually enjoy listening to music through them now.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Releases First macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Beta
Apple Releases First macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Beta
10 minutes ago
Apple Seeds First iOS 27.3 Beta
Apple Seeds First iOS 27.3 Beta
11 minutes ago
Apple Releases First watchOS 27.3, tvOS 27.3 and visionOS 27.3 Betas
Apple Releases First watchOS 27.3, tvOS 27.3 and visionOS 27.3 Betas
13 minutes ago
iPad Mini 8 Reviewer Isn't Satisfied With Apple's Excuse for Lack of 120Hz Display
iPad Mini 8 Reviewer Isn't Satisfied With Apple's Excuse for Lack of 120Hz Display
20 minutes ago
iPad Mini 8 Review Claims Battery Life is Way Better Than Apple Says
iPad Mini 8 Review Claims Battery Life is Way Better Than Apple Says
58 minutes ago
B&H Photo Launches Early Black Friday Sale With Discounts on Macs and Accessories
B&H Photo Launches Early Black Friday Sale With Discounts on Macs and Accessories
1 hour ago
iPhone Duo Could Take Nearly 30% of Foldable Market in 2027
iPhone Duo Could Take Nearly 30% of Foldable Market in 2027
2 hours ago
Apple Watch Automatically Identifies Songs Playing Around You
Apple Watch Automatically Identifies Songs Playing Around You
2 hours ago
Best Early Black Friday Mac Deals: Save Hundreds on MacBook Air, Mac Mini, and More
Best Early Black Friday Mac Deals: Save Hundreds on MacBook Air, Mac Mini, and More
2 hours ago
iPhone 18 Rumored to Get Larger Battery and Potential Price Increase
iPhone 18 Rumored to Get Larger Battery and Potential Price Increase
3 hours ago
Apple Store in UK Permanently Closing Later This Month
Apple Store in UK Permanently Closing Later This Month
3 hours ago
Apple's Annual R&D Spending Jumps by More Than $11 Billion
Apple's Annual R&D Spending Jumps by More Than $11 Billion
4 hours ago
Will Apple Ever Merge iPadOS and macOS? John Ternus Responds
Will Apple Ever Merge iPadOS and macOS? John Ternus Responds
4 hours ago
MacBook Neo Gets Rare $30 Amazon Discount
MacBook Neo Gets Rare $30 Amazon Discount
4 hours ago
Hands-On: The OLED iPad Mini is Almost an iPad Pro Mini
Hands-On: The OLED iPad Mini is Almost an iPad Pro Mini
4 hours ago
tvOS 27.2.1 and macOS 27.2.1 Likely Coming Soon
tvOS 27.2.1 and macOS 27.2.1 Likely Coming Soon
5 hours ago
MKBHD Switches Back to iPhone 18 Pro After Testing iPhone Duo
MKBHD Switches Back to iPhone 18 Pro After Testing iPhone Duo
5 hours ago
Apple Explores Cheaper Way to Make New MacBook Pro's OLED Tech
Apple Explores Cheaper Way to Make New MacBook Pro's OLED Tech
7 hours ago
Apple Released the iPhone X Nine Years Ago Today
Apple Released the iPhone X Nine Years Ago Today
9 hours ago
Apple Requiring Developers to Disclose Location Sharing and Dating Features in Apps
Apple Requiring Developers to Disclose Location Sharing and Dating Features in Apps
18 hours ago
Apple's Q4 2026 Earnings Call Takeaways
Apple's Q4 2026 Earnings Call Takeaways
18 hours ago
Apple Dodges Question on More Price Hikes as Memory Costs Climb
Apple Dodges Question on More Price Hikes as Memory Costs Climb
18 hours ago
Apple CEO Ternus Says iPhone Duo Shortages Have No End Date in Sight
Apple CEO Ternus Says iPhone Duo Shortages Have No End Date in Sight
20 hours ago
Apple Reports 4Q 2026 Results: $30.7B Profit on $114.5B Revenue
Apple Reports 4Q 2026 Results: $30.7B Profit on $114.5B Revenue
21 hours ago
Early Black Friday Brings Steep Price Drops on Apple's Latest iPhone Cases
Early Black Friday Brings Steep Price Drops on Apple's Latest iPhone Cases
1 day ago
John Ternus Hosting His First Earnings Call as Apple CEO Today
John Ternus Hosting His First Earnings Call as Apple CEO Today
1 day ago
Here's What Spotify Looks Like on Apple's HomeView
Here's What Spotify Looks Like on Apple's HomeView
1 day ago
iOS 27.2.1 Coming Soon, iOS 27.3 Beta Likely Available Tomorrow
iOS 27.2.1 Coming Soon, iOS 27.3 Beta Likely Available Tomorrow
1 day ago
Mark Gurman: Apple Initially Aimed to Release iPhone Duo in November
Mark Gurman: Apple Initially Aimed to Release iPhone Duo in November
1 day ago
Best Early Black Friday Deals on Apple Products Available Now
Best Early Black Friday Deals on Apple Products Available Now
3 hours ago