Apple Pulls HomePod Software 18.1 Beta 2 Following 'Bricking' Complaints

Apple on Monday seeded the second beta of HomePod software version 18.1 to developers for testing, but it has since pulled the beta.

homepod mini thumb feature
Across the MacRumors Forums and X, some users complained that installing this beta on their HomePod mini resulted in the speaker going into a "bricked" state, meaning that it no longer functioned. A few users said they were eventually able to restore the HomePod mini using the Apple Configurator app on a Mac.

Apple pulled the beta on Monday evening, according to software researcher Nicolás Alvarez. MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris confirmed that the beta is still unavailable as of writing, and it is unclear when it will be released again.

Apple is facing a similar issue with iPadOS 18, which "bricked" some of the latest iPad Pro models with the M4 chip earlier this month. Apple pulled the update for those devices as it works on a solution, we previously reported.

Related Roundups: HomePod, HomePod mini

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Top Rated Comments

antiprotest Avatar
27 weeks ago
Apple has been on a rampage against their own products lately.
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jarman92 Avatar
27 weeks ago
Honestly curious—why does anyone install HomePod betas? There's effectively nothing to develop for, and Apple hasn't added significant features in years. Just doesn't seem remotely worth the risk.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hovscorpion12 Avatar
27 weeks ago
Now this is getting ridiculous. From iPadOS 18 to HomeOS. Seriously do your jobs. Your getting paid over $200K/year for incompetence.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
27 weeks ago

Apple on Monday seeded the second beta of HomePod software version 18.1 to developers for testing, but it has since pulled the beta.
At least it was beta software that got pulled instead of an actual release to the general public a la iPadOS 18. Though this also probably affected only a "small number" of users. ;)
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nt5672 Avatar
27 weeks ago
I wonder how far Cook has cut the Apple QA department, or allowed time to QA new software by developers. Obviously, Cook sets or approves the schedule. He is so out of his league. I don't think he even gets bothered by these types of Apple failures.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Account25476 Avatar
27 weeks ago
[HEADING=1]Apple SW Quality Team[/HEADING]
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)