Apple Releases HomePod 16.5 Software - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Releases HomePod 16.5 Software

Alongside the iOS 16.5, iPadOS 16.5, tvOS 16.5, and macOS Ventura 13.4 updates, Apple has released new 16.5 software created for the HomePod and HomePod mini.

HomePod 2 White and Midnight Feature Blue Orange
According to Apple's release notes, the update adds stability and performance improvements to the ‌HomePod‌.

‌‌‌‌‌‌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 by following the instructions in our HomePod‌‌ update how to.

Related Roundups: HomePod, HomePod mini

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple's Next Era Begins September 1

Thursday May 7, 2026 10:36 am PDT by
Apple recently announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO later this year, after 15 years of leading the company. Effective September 1, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO, while Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In his new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company,...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features

Saturday May 9, 2026 6:03 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
Apple Watch Series 10 Jet Black Touch ID

Apple Watch Series 12 and watchOS 27: What to Expect Later This Year

Friday May 8, 2026 2:07 pm PDT by
While not too much has been reported about the next Apple Watch models, there are a few rumors about potential design changes and watchOS 27 features. Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 models are expected to be released in September, and we have outlined some of the key rumored hardware and software changes below. A new Apple Watch SE is not expected this year, as that model was...

Top Rated Comments

39 months ago
I sure hope they fix the “Who’s speaking?” problem! Also, I noticed yesterday with 16.5 HomePod Mini, I said “Play my favorites” just like I have said hundreds of times before and it started playing a single song called Favorites by some unknown artist… ugggg 🙄. Tip for Apple QA engineers if you don’t do so already: Focus on the interactions where people use swear words. You will quickly see how and where Siri messes up!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smithrh Avatar
39 months ago


Sounds feels overall improved, richer for sure with fuller bass (compared to the same songs I listened to yesterday before the update).
Base definitely back to what it was when it first came out years ago. I had to turn it down a few times already to make sure I wasn't bugging the neighbors...

Why Apple keeps dicking around with this is beyond me.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
39 months ago
This is another extremely terrible HomePod OS from Apple. It took only about 30 seconds after the upgrade for my HomePods to crash and stop playing music.

I'll have to do more tests, but I think this update is as bad as the mediocre OS 16.4 update.

Apple, if you do read all the complaints on the Internet, please rollback to OS 15.7. It was working well. OS 16 is just a huge mistake that should have never been release. 16.5 is another proof that it isn’t working. I bought HomePods to listen to music. Not to restart them every day multiple times per day!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Solver Avatar
39 months ago
Thread network updated to v1.3.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
allseeingi’s Avatar
39 months ago

I sure hope they fix the “Who’s speaking?” problem! Also, I noticed yesterday with 16.5 HomePod Mini, I said “Play my favorites” just like I have said hundreds of times before and it started playing a single song called Favorites by some unknown artist… ugggg 🙄. Tip for Apple QA engineers if you don’t do so already: Focus on the interactions where people use swear words. You will quickly see how and where Siri messes up!
🤣🤣
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aves Avatar
39 months ago
updated both 2 homepods and 6 minis
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)