Apple Releases Updated HomePod Software With Bug Fixes

Alongside the release of iOS 12.1.3, the latest update to the iOS 12 operating system, Apple has released new 12.1.3 software that's designed for the HomePod.

The new ‌HomePod‌ software will be installed automatically on the ‌HomePod‌ after you update to iOS 12.1.3, but you can also manually update and check your software version by following the instructions in our HomePod software how to.

homepod duo
As Apple outlined in its iOS 12.1.3 release notes, today's ‌HomePod‌ update addresses a few HomePod-related bugs.

It fixes an issue that could cause the ‌HomePod‌ to restart and it addresses an issue that could result in Siri ceasing to listen to a command.

‌HomePod‌ is currently available in the United States, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Mexico, China, and Hong Kong.

For more details on ‌HomePod‌ and the ‌HomePod‌ software, make sure to check out our dedicated HomePod roundup.

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

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

WilliamG Avatar
92 months ago
Really happy the Siri not responding/reboot issue is solved. Absolutely have had both of these problems on all three of my HomePods.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mattster16 Avatar
92 months ago
Finally! Siri has randomly stopped listening to me until I reboot the HomePod for weeks now!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrow Avatar
92 months ago
I'm having a hard time picturing how you have this setup. How do you connect a subwoofer to AirPort? Can you sketch it out and upload a diagram and what subwoofer you are using? Thanks
How do you do it? Ok the Mac/iTunes I know it works this way. I’m less sure if it is possible to do that on iOS, though. Thanks
It’s really easy. Go from the audio out port on the AirPort Express to the sub. I am using a 3.5mm cable from the AirPort to a 3.5mm to RCA adapter, which plugs into the RCA port on the sub. Then I just select both the HomePods and the subwoofer as the playback devices with AirPlay 2, whether that’s in my phone or my Apple TV or whatever.

The sub is only capable of outputting low frequencies so there isn’t much adjustment that needs to be made. I manually adjusted the low-pass filter on my sub to my liking but that was all the tweaking I did.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tywebb13 Avatar
92 months ago
I like this update.

Airplay seems to connect from iphone to homepods much quicker than before.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thadoggfather Avatar
92 months ago
Really wonder if there actually was a change in the sound signature. Never realized one, yet you can provoke a different sound with every recalibration inside your rooms.

Besides, everybody not having paired his HomePods will be blown away once hearing the difference.
It was immediate for me, I would be able to hear it in a blind A-B test: the bass was more anemic (the most disappointing), the soundstage less holographic, mid-range a little cleaner as a plus, but electronic (my preferred genre) less syrup-y and energetic in general.

Not sure if any of my descriptors make sense, but it does to me and my ears :D

If you pair them, I'm sure the effect is diminished.. maybe they tuned it to be more for pairing? Who knows. I only wanted one HomePod for my apt.

Enough people take issue with it, that I suspect its not just me. But not every one can hear or tell the difference. Or even have the original fw as a reference point.

The 'loud' spectacle-filled sound is what drew me to HomePod in the first place! Almost a physics-defying sound signature.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mike MA Avatar
92 months ago
It was immediate for me, I would be able to hear it in a blind A-B test: the bass was more anemic (the most disappointing), the soundstage less holographic, mid-range a little cleaner as a plus, but electronic (my preferred genre) less syrup-y and energetic in general.

Not sure if any of my descriptors make sense, but it does to me and my ears :D

If you pair them, I'm sure the effect is diminished.. maybe they tuned it to be more for pairing? Who knows. I only wanted one HomePod for my apt.

Enough people take issue with it, that I suspect its not just me. But not every one can hear or tell the difference. Or even have the original fw as a reference point.

The 'loud' spectacle-filled sound is what drew me to HomePod in the first place! Almost a physics-defying sound signature.
Get yourself a second one, especially with the current discounts. Do the update, pair them and enjoy. The sound will be better, else you waste nearly all sound potential in terms of surround sound. Ended up with 5 of them, meaning nearly every room now has two of them, all also are combined to a big zone. Love it, for me the HomePod and HomeKit is Apple’s biggest rollout since the iPhone, saying that coming from a PowerPC era.

Just shared my experience, yet I got your description and purpose of acquisition.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)