Apple Releases HomePod Software 26.1 With Performance Improvements - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Releases HomePod Software 26.1 With Performance Improvements

Alongside iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1, Apple has released new HomePod 26.1 software for the ‌HomePod‌ and the HomePod mini. The updates come almost seven weeks after Apple released the ‌HomePod‌ 26 software.

homepod green
According to Apple's release notes, ‌HomePod‌ Software 26.1 includes performance and stability improvements.

‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ software is installed automatically on the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌ unless the feature is disabled‌‌‌‌, but the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ can also be manually updated in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac by tapping on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then selecting the Software Update option.

Related Roundups: HomePod, HomePod mini

Popular Stories

homepods four

Apple Is Testing a Four-HomePod Surround System, Code Suggests

Friday September 4, 2026 2:29 am PDT by
Apple appears to be working on some major new HomePod home theater features, including a four-speaker surround sound system and a new "Party Mode," according to code found in audioOS 27 beta 8, and shared on the MacRumors forums by member pdfu. References in the software for the second-generation HomePod suggest the ability to tune for a setup with front-left, front-right, rear-left, and...
Home Hub Command Center with Dome Base Feature

Apple Smart Home Display Still Coming This Year

Tuesday August 25, 2026 8:19 am PDT by
Apple remains on track to launch its first smart home device with a screen before the end of the year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman reiterated that the device will use facial recognition to determine who is standing in front of it and serve up personalized content for that individual user. The description lines up with code found in macOS Tahoe 26.7 earlier this week, which...
HomePod 2 White and Midnight Feature Blue Orange

Apple Testing New HomePod With Siri AI

Friday September 4, 2026 8:25 am PDT by
Apple has been testing a new full-sized HomePod with Siri AI support, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Unfortunately, in his report outlining upcoming Apple products today, Gurman said the new full-sized HomePod "doesn't appear to be imminent," so do not expect the speaker to be updated soon. The current HomePod was unveiled in January 2023....

Top Rated Comments

F23 Avatar
11 months ago
Thanks for still supporting my 2018 HomePods Timmy boy
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArrayDecay Avatar
11 months ago
I love my HomePods.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
splifingate Avatar
11 months ago

WTF is a homepod?
It's a Gateway device.

A device made by Apple that--when the User updates it--fails to work with older software, and eventually knee-caps the User into updating their other devices to recent OS's.

It even plays music on-command (if you subscribe to Apple Music, that is).
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
11 months ago
Performance improvements? Good for battery life I guess. /s
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Allyance Avatar
11 months ago
Updated mine, working fine. I love mine, sits in the front window in the kitchen, great for playing tunes when TV is off. I don’t use Siri, just listen to my playlists.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chrfr Avatar
11 months ago

The ANC got worse. Can't use them like this anymore
Your HomePod has noise cancellation? Neat!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)