Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Releases HomePod Software 15.5

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,711
39,634


Alongside iOS 15.5, iPadOS 15.5, and tvOS 15.5, Apple today released a new 15.5 update for the HomePod and the HomePod mini. The HomePod 15.5 update is the fifth major HomePod software update since version 15 was released, and it comes two months after the launch of HomePod software 15.4.

homepod-feature-purple.jpg

Apple has not detailed what improvements might be in the new HomePod software, and Apple's release notes don't mention anything other than general performance and stability improvements, suggesting this is an under-the-hood update to address underlying issues rather than an update that adds new features.

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌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.

Article Link: Apple Releases HomePod Software 15.5
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/05/16/apple-releases-homepod-software-15-5/
Last edited:
I know a lot of people are having issues with these things. I hope this fixes them. I sold mine when they were end of lifed. It made me nervous having $800 tied up in an abandoned product line. Also, they weren't up to Apple's "it just works" standards. I could never be 100% sure both speakers would actually play when I asked them to. Often one or the other wouldn't bother and require a reboot.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Rob1547, Poindexter333, decypher44 and 1 other person
I wish you could update the homepod from the Apple TV itself. I would much rather have the home app than the Computer app, for example, and the reason I have the Home Pod is because it serves as audio for the Apple TV. The process to update the home pod has always been confusing to me, and while I still have an Ipad, Mac, and Apple TV, I have an Android Phone. Now if they allowed you to update the Home Pod via the Android phone, that works too.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TVreporter, EedyBeedyBeeps and gank41
My HomePod minis are currently packed away in moving boxes right now so I can’t check myself but… can anyone confirm whether or not this fixes “on it… just a sec… still working…” etc.?
 
sjsharksfan12 said:
I wish you could update the homepod from the Apple TV itself. I would much rather have the home app than the Computer app, for example, and the reason I have the Home Pod is because it serves as audio for the Apple TV itself. The process to update the home pod has always been confusing to me, and while I still have an Ipad, Mac, and Apple TV, I have an Android Phone. Now if they allowed you to update the Home Pod via the Android phone, that works too.
Click to expand...
The update process in general for the HomePods is kinda frustrating. Hidden away under Home, and fairly unreliable in my opinion. I've ended up most of the time not bothering to try to force the update and instead just wait a few days for the auto-updates to roll out.

That said, at least after first reboot, my Apple TV on 15.5 doesn't find my 15.4 HomePods, so that might be an issue...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rob1547 and decypher44
Hoping the HomePod 15.5 and other updates make the HomeKit and home app reliable. Siri on HomePod and the Home app (at least from my experience), are terribly unreliable to the point where I’ve stopped talking to HomePod and use the third party apps for different smart devices. The most annoying things are:
- on it, just a sec, …. ….
- Siri miss-understanding
- Siri asking ‘who’s speaking’ (me… like usual)
- my HomeKit camera disconnecting - reconnecting - disconnecting - reconnecting ….
- devises registering as ‘not responding’ in the home app, but being controllable in the third party app

My HomeKit camera used to frequently not record/notify motion, but that seems to have resolved since 15.3. Here’s hoping 15.5 doesn’t break it again.

Am I alone here, or are these issues common?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rob1547, Seffers, CarAnalogy and 2 others
I really hate the HomePod because of it's buggy software. Does anyone know of a way to turn off AppleMusic radio autoplay when I accidentally touch the top of it? My AirPods are nice becuase if I click them with the intent of playing media it will play the last thing played or my music... but the HomePod randomly plays some crappy apple radio no matter what I had playing last.

I've also had it randomly start playing an apple podcast and I still cant get it to do the intercom feature.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rob1547, zapmymac, Seffers and 1 other person
Billistan said:
I really hate the HomePod because of it's buggy software. Does anyone know of a way to turn off AppleMusic radio autoplay when I accidentally touch the top of it? My AirPods are nice becuase if I click them with the intent of playing media it will play the last thing played or my music... but the HomePod randomly plays some crappy apple radio no matter what I had playing last.

I've also had it randomly start playing an apple podcast and I still cant get it to do the intercom feature.
Click to expand...
Huh. Touching my HomePods acts just like your AirPods. Continues playing the last thing.
 
I like that Apple still supports the HomePods. The sound is great.
That said: I never use any of the "smart" features. Siri sucks, it doesn't understand German and if it understands, it has no meaningful answers. (Same think on all devices.) That HomePod autoplay is ridiculous.
Never touch the upper side, you never know what happens :)
But again, the stereo sound is wonderful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Boris Espinoza, Poindexter333, currocj and 4 others
nothingtoseehere said:
I like that Apple still supports the HomePods. The sound is great.
That said: I never use any of the "smart" features. Siri sucks, it doesn't understand German and if it understands, it has no meaningful answers. (Same think on all devices.) That HomePod autoplay is ridiculous.
Never touch the upper side, you never know what happens :)
But again, the stereo sound is wonderful.
Click to expand...
Don't feel left out. Siri doesn't understand English either. Oh and often forgets who my wife is, sometimes won't recognize my grocery store list or Costco list. And needs to "show me it on my iPhone" for just about anything shy of what time is it and what's the weather going to be for today.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: Rob1547, Poindexter333, freedomlinux and 4 others
I have two HomePod Minis and one HomePod. All but one Mini play nice. The one rogue Mini often won't update to new versions, and only plays music. Getting it to do anything else is pretty much a one-sided negotiation of fail.
 
I just realized something. If you watch Youtube and increase the play back speed, it sounds really bad on the Home Pod. They haven't been able to fix that yet? I had to switch over to my Roku and it works a lot better. I'm wondering if I should keep this thing or see if I can get some cash back for it. It seems like the Home Pod was more of a hassle then I really wanted.
 
Yeah, seeing the same here on my 5 OGs and 2 minis.
Figures itself out after a while and just installs 15.5.
Safe to ignore it, but yet again a bug fest from Apple.
 
The HomePod minis (11 here in my house) is quickly approaching being up for sale like the Alexa devices were.

These devices have gone from good to absolutely unreliable. It’s easier to just go flick the light switch rather than keep repeating to the stupid devices. Clearly Apple cannot do better and I’ve just about given up on all theses companies. Perhaps going back to the old way of doing things is the solution because Apple software really has just gotten bad. But on the upside Tim Cook made a lot of money for Apple!

#AppleIsStartingToSuck
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rob1547, diamornte, DeftwillP and 4 others
jaster2 said:
My mini successfully runs a custom shortcut to dim lights about 50% of the time. Even when it gets it right, it apologizes for not being able to do it. ?
Click to expand...
And if it hasn’t been fixed in this update, then this bug has been present for three quarters of a major software version. It is absolutely shameful at this point.

It’s laughable that Apple are spearheading the whole Matter program when they can’t even get their own house in order.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Poindexter333, Robert.Walter, Razorpit and 1 other person
Sorry to hear you guys have been having trouble. I’ve got two minis and I love them, Hope Apple doesn’t end up abandoning them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back