The HomePod and the HomePod Mini have two new features. Curious how you get them? This way you make your homepod even better!
New software for HomePod (Mini)
Do you have a homepod or a homepod mini? Or maybe even both? In that case we have good news, because Apple has expanded the speaker with new functions. A new software version is available, with which three new features come to the HomePod and the HomePod Mini. Curious about all the improvements and how do you use them on the HomePod (Mini)? We put them under each other.
1. Handy function for Apple Music
With the new software, the HomePod and the HomePod Mini receive support for a handy feature in Apple Music. Crossfade finally comes to the HomePod (Mini), so that songs merge more smootherly. A few seconds before the end of a song, Crossfade ensures that the next song starts. This way you prevent a short silence from falling between two songs. Does that sound good? You turn on Crossfade as follows:
- Open home on your iPhone;
- Go to tab ‘house’;
- Tap the three dots (•••) at the top right in the corner;
- Go to ‘home institutions’;
- Tap your name under ‘persons’;
- Choose ‘Apple Music’ under ‘Connected Media’;
- Turn on the switch ‘Crossfade’;
- Finally, determine the duration of the Crossfade.
2. Improvement for Siri
Siri is getting smarter and that can also be seen with the software for the HomePod and the HomePod Mini. In the latest software version, Siri offers support for activating homepods in different spaces. Do you listen to a certain song via the HomePod in the living room? You can then ask Siri to start the same song on the HomePod in another room.
It is also possible to start the number on all HomePods in your household, by simply asking Siri this. With Apple Music it had long been possible to play audio via HomePods in several rooms at the same time. The big change in the latest software version is that Siri now supports this with all audio files. So you can finally ask Siri to start a number from Spotify on different HomePods at the same time.
3. More functions
Apple also makes small changes at the HomePod and the HomePod Mini. This way you will soon be able to choose which WiFi network the HomePod (Mini) is connected to. Now that is the same network as your iPhone or iPad, in a subsequent software version that can be a different network for the first time. This feature is not yet available, but will later be available by means of an update at the settings of the home app.
In addition, the HomePod receives support for FaceTime audio and telephone calls from the Apple TV. Do you have a conversation via the Apple TV? Then you will soon be able to play the audio via the HomePod in the room. This feature is now also not available at the HomePod and HomePod Mini, but is added in a later software version.
This is how you install the update
The HomePod and the HomePod Mini have been expanded with new features. It concerns the first and second generation of the HomePod and the HomePod Mini, giving all models more functions with the latest software. You can find the update in the home app on your iPhone under the ‘Woning’ tab. Tap the three dots at the top right of the picture and go to ‘Home Settings> Software Update’.
Install the latest software version for the HomePod there, so that the speaker is expanded with more features. Don’t see the update? In that case you may first have to update your iPhone to iOS 26. Go to the settings on your iPhone and choose ‘General> Software update’. Install iOS 26 on your iPhone, the new software for the HomePod then appears automatically in the home app. Don’t want to miss any update? Then register for our newsletter, so that you always stay informed:
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