Apple Releases New HomePod 15 Beta Update Following Reports of Sudden Failures

Apple today released a new version of the HomePod 15 beta software that's designed to go along with the iOS 15, iPadOS 15, tvOS 15, and macOS Monterey betas.

HomePod Happy Fix Feature
The new software comes as multiple ‌HomePod‌ owners running the original ‌HomePod‌ 15 beta have complained of sudden failures and heat issues that have rendered their HomePods non-functional.

‌HomePod‌ beta software is distributed on an invite-only basis to select users, so there is no update that can be downloaded by developers or the general public.

There are ways to get the ‌HomePod‌ software if you're not a part of Apple's testing group, but because it's designed for a small number of users on an invite-only basis, we do not recommend using any alternate method to obtain the update.

It is beta software and can be unreliable, as the multiple reports of hardware failures demonstrate. These issues have also affected those with the 14.6 release software, but there does not appear to be a new public version of the ‌HomePod‌ software at this time.

The release notes for the ‌HomePod‌ 15 update do not offer any information and do not indicate whether the failure issue has been addressed.

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

Popular Stories

New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18

18 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.2

Wednesday November 13, 2024 2:09 am PST by
Apple is set to release iOS 18.2 next month, bringing the second round of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. This update brings several major advancements to Apple's AI integration, including completely new image generation tools and a range of Visual Intelligence-based enhancements. There are a handful of new non-AI related feature controls incoming as well....
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
M4 MacBook Pros Thumb

M4 MacBook Pro Uses Quantum Dot Display Technology

Thursday November 14, 2024 4:19 pm PST by
The M4 MacBook Pro models feature quantum dot display technology, according to display analyst Ross Young. Apple used a quantum dot film instead of a red KSF phosphor film, a change that provides more vibrant, accurate color results. Young says that Apple has opted for KSF for prior MacBook Pro models because it doesn't use toxic element cadmium (typical for quantum dot) and is more...
iCloud General Feature

Apple Acknowledges iCloud Notes Disappearing and Explains How to Fix

Saturday November 16, 2024 9:45 am PST by
Earlier this month, we reported about some iPhone users temporarily losing all of their notes in the Notes app after accepting Apple's updated iCloud terms and conditions. Apple has now indirectly acknowledged this issue in a new support document that outlines steps to follow if your iCloud notes are not appearing on your iPhone, iPad, or Vision Pro. Fortunately, the notes can be re-synced...
iPhone XS Max Black Background

Apple Adds iPhone XS Max and More to Vintage/Obsolete Product Lists

Friday November 15, 2024 8:09 am PST by
Apple today added a few older iPhone and Apple Watch models to the vintage and obsolete products list on its website. Apple has now classified the iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone XS Max as "vintage" worldwide. Apple considers a device to be "vintage" once five years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. Apple and Apple Authorized Service Providers sometimes offer repairs...

Top Rated Comments

nrose101 Avatar
44 months ago

That’s a large HomePod
Nah. It's the real HomePod. The small ones are a joke for audiophiles.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nvmls Avatar
44 months ago

What about people who had to pay out of warranty for another one because of it?
Working as intended. Regards.

-Tim
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
larrylaffer Avatar
44 months ago

What about people who had to pay out of warranty for another one because of it?
If 14.6 caused this, I would be demanding a refund.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mcfly88 Avatar
44 months ago

For people that grew up on CDs and real stereos in their home the old Homepod can compare to a Booom Box from the 80s. These new ones sound like a cheap $20 speaker underwater and maybe compare to a pair of crapy pc speakers.
This has to be one of the most pretentious things I've ever read...

Whose expecting audiophile quality from a 3" speaker?? It's one speaker.. not a surround sound setup. Also, this is just a ridiculous comparison all around. You must have some golden ears.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nrose101 Avatar
44 months ago

The Amazon Echo Studio has good sound quality?. Interesting. I presumed that it would be similar to the rest of the echo line up.
Not at all! It's bigger than the original homepod and sounds amazing...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blowback Avatar
44 months ago

too late, I already learned a hard lesson I lost one of my OG HomePods, not installing a beta ever again :/

does anyone know if there is any way to fix the flashing volume lights problem? I have no warranty and Apple doesn't offer support for HomePods in my country.
Hmmmm...this one appears to have passed the first test!


For those using beta software on a HomePod, turn off auto update, disconnect from Apple TV, unpair stereo pairing, update each separately and check for any unusual activity such as the top getting hot.
Unless in the middle of an update, if the top is getting hot keep the HomePod unplugged.
Aren't you missing a step? 'Call local Shaman ........first' .


Apparently we get Lossless audio (but not spatial) in this beta, too.
Careful...you may, as others have, get the 'new' Lossless....no sound at all!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)