HomePod Software 26 to Support OG HomePod

Friday June 6, 2025 4:11 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Apple's upcoming HomePod Software 26 update will support the original first-generation HomePod along with all succeeding HomePod models, according to a private account on X with a proven track record for upcoming software updates.

HomePod White on Console
Apple released the original HomePod eight years ago, so it's good to see that Apple's latest software will support it. As for what the new software will bring to the table in terms of new features, it's not yet clear, but hopefully improvements to the Siri experience are forthcoming.

Rather than naming the next-generation version HomePod Software 19, Apple is likely to call it HomePod Software 26. All of the major software updates coming this year will be numbered "26," reflecting the September 2025 to September 2026 release cycle, so it'd be weird for the HomePod Software not to receive the same treatment.

The HomePod family is expected to grow in size this year or next, with the arrival of Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. We're hoping that Apple provides an early preview of the home hub at WWDC, based on recent trademarking activity.

Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote will begin on Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will live stream the event on its website, on YouTube, and in the TV app. If you're not able to watch live, we'll have a live blog and coverage of the announcements here at MacRumors, plus we'll be live tweeting the event on the MacRumorsLive account.

Related Roundups: HomePod, HomePod mini

Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Caution), HomePod Mini (Don't Buy)

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Top Rated Comments

iJulio

18 months ago

I have one left in partial service from my original pair so that’s good news.

I have 2 original HomePods working without issues in my living room since release. There's no reason why they shouldn't get software updates, it's just a speaker.

Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)

tomtad

18 months ago

These things should last for decades, it's a speaker. There's no reason why they should be obsolete and be e-waste in the space of 4 years, they were still on sale in 2021.

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

fatTribble

18 months ago

All four of my original HomePods are still going strong. We use them every day.

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

WarmWinterHat

18 months ago

To be honest, I think part of this is because of tariffs. Consumers might need to keep their devices longer instead of replacing every 2 to 4 years. So Apple is needing to provide software updates more long-term. This may actually be good for the environment and consumers.

PS: this is not a political post. Just from my engineering perspective.

People should be keeping all their devices longer, regardless of tariffs, but as for replacing a HomePod, why? Unless it's broken, a new one does exactly the same thing.

Good on Apple!

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Supermacguy

18 months ago

"OG" seems like a not well known abbreviation. Also sort of stuck in time. I don't feel it's a good term to use in a headline as too many of us uncool people might not understand it.
For reference, it's "original gangster" as in, the first one

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)