Apple Releases HomePod Software 18

Monday September 16, 2024 10:00 am PDT by Juli Clover

Alongside iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Apple today released new HomePod Software 18 that's designed for the ‌HomePod‌ and HomePod mini.

HomePod 2 and Mini feature 1
The ‌HomePod‌ Software 18 adds the option to choose a Home Hub rather than having HomeKit select one automatically, a useful feature for people with multiple HomePods and Apple TV models.

There is a new SharePlay feature, allowing multiple people to share control of what's playing on a ‌HomePod‌ through Apple Music. To use the feature, bring an iPhone close to another iPhone to add songs to a playlist and control playback.

AirPlay now supports Spatial Audio, providing an immersive audio experience with Dolby Atmos when using ‌AirPlay‌ to stream audio from an iPhone or iPad to the ‌HomePod‌. Apple's release notes:

Software version 18 introduces SharePlay so you can share control of your Apple Music playlist on iPhone or iPad and guests can contribute to what’s playing on HomePod. This update also includes bug fixes 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 by tapping on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then selecting the Software Update option.

Related Roundups: HomePod, HomePod mini

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

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Top Rated Comments

Mother Nature

20 months ago

No Apple Intelligence with HomePod? This could have been a great chance to take down Amazon Alexa. 🤫

If the iPhone 15 with 6GB RAM and A16 doesn't support Apple Intelligence, why you were holding hope that the HomePod would support it?

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Polinsky

20 months ago

The update we have all been waiting for!

It's funny. Some of you like to think you're being very clever with absurd posts. But you're only showing your desire to hate and demonstrate ignorance.

I have multiple devices that can act as a HomeKit hub. Up until this update, the choice of which device to use as a hub was up to Apple's algorithm, whatever that may be. Sometimes it chooses a device which isn't the best one to use as a hub. To force a change, I have to disconnect all the potential hubs and the carefully plug them in to force the desired device to be the hub. Some of the plugs are in hard to reach areas, so I have to add multiple HomeKit plugs to power off the devices remotely. This happens not infrequently.

With the new feature of being able to select with device I want to be the hub, my life became easier and I can now remove the HomeKit plugs.

So, for me, this update is really welcome. You aren't as clever as you think you are.

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

sjsharksfan12

20 months ago

After all these years I think the OG HomePod purchase is the one I regret the most. It didn't help that they discontinued it a few months after I bought it. Now I kind of feel trapped with it.

Also, the fact that there is no Home App on TVOS still is deeply frustrating. The Apple TV is such a wonderful product but it could be a whole lot more.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

dannyyankou

20 months ago

The update we have all been waiting for!

Well, yes! I couldn’t manage my HomePod alarms on my iPhone without updating to the HomePod to 18.0. But my first gen HomePod wasn’t eligible for beta updates. It was driving me crazy.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)