HomePod Software 26 to Support OG HomePod - MacRumors
Skip to Content

HomePod Software 26 to Support OG HomePod

by

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)
Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology

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,...
Read Full Article
Instagram Feature 2

PSA: Instagram Encrypted Messaging Ends on Friday, May 8

Tuesday May 5, 2026 8:24 am PDT by
Instagram will remove end-to-end encryption for direct messages between users from May 8, 2026. When the date comes around, Meta will potentially be able to see the contents of all messages between users on the social media platform. Encrypting messages has been an optional feature in Instagram since 2023, but in March of this year the social media platform quietly updated a help page to say ...
Read Full Article • 54 comments
macbook neo launch day

Apple May Drop Base $599 MacBook Neo as Chip, DRAM Costs Climb

Thursday May 7, 2026 4:55 am PDT by
Apple is considering dropping the cheapest MacBook Neo configuration as one possible response to the rising cost of building the popular laptop, according to Taiwan-based tech columnist and former Bloomberg reporter Tim Culpan. The Neo currently starts at $599 for a 256GB model, with a 512GB version at $699. Writing in his latest Culpium newsletter, Culpan says cutting the entry-level...
Read Full Article • 168 comments

Top Rated Comments

I
iJulio
12 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 Avatar
tomtad
12 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 Avatar
fatTribble
12 months ago
All four of my original HomePods are still going strong. We use them every day.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
WarmWinterHat
12 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)
S
Supermacguy
12 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)
A
abatabia
12 months ago
I have one left in partial service from my original pair so that’s good news.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments