Apple Releases HomePod 16.5 Software

Alongside the iOS 16.5, iPadOS 16.5, tvOS 16.5, and macOS Ventura 13.4 updates, Apple has released new 16.5 software created for the HomePod and HomePod mini.

HomePod 2 White and Midnight Feature Blue Orange
According to Apple's release notes, the update adds stability and performance improvements to the ‌HomePod‌.

‌‌‌‌‌‌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.

Related Roundups: HomePod, HomePod mini

Top Rated Comments

macmac30 Avatar
7 months ago
I sure hope they fix the “Who’s speaking?” problem! Also, I noticed yesterday with 16.5 HomePod Mini, I said “Play my favorites” just like I have said hundreds of times before and it started playing a single song called Favorites by some unknown artist… ugggg ?. Tip for Apple QA engineers if you don’t do so already: Focus on the interactions where people use swear words. You will quickly see how and where Siri messes up!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benoit79 Avatar
7 months ago
This is another extremely terrible HomePod OS from Apple. It took only about 30 seconds after the upgrade for my HomePods to crash and stop playing music.

I'll have to do more tests, but I think this update is as bad as the mediocre OS 16.4 update.

Apple, if you do read all the complaints on the Internet, please rollback to OS 15.7. It was working well. OS 16 is just a huge mistake that should have never been release. 16.5 is another proof that it isn’t working. I bought HomePods to listen to music. Not to restart them every day multiple times per day!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
steevn Avatar
7 months ago

Hope it fixes how much latency and missed connections there is over Airplay.

I'd prefer direct Bluetooth streaming. It's prove and works better than Airplay.

Also, there is too much bass and too little treble. The Equalizer that is available in the Music app needs to be a system wide panel available in Settings app.
Out of all the Airplay products I have used, HomePods have been the worst at Airplay. Sonos Airplay is flawless in my experience.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
allseeingi’s Avatar
7 months ago

I sure hope they fix the “Who’s speaking?” problem! Also, I noticed yesterday with 16.5 HomePod Mini, I said “Play my favorites” just like I have said hundreds of times before and it started playing a single song called Favorites by some unknown artist… ugggg ?. Tip for Apple QA engineers if you don’t do so already: Focus on the interactions where people use swear words. You will quickly see how and where Siri messes up!
??
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smithrh Avatar
7 months ago


Sounds feels overall improved, richer for sure with fuller bass (compared to the same songs I listened to yesterday before the update).
Base definitely back to what it was when it first came out years ago. I had to turn it down a few times already to make sure I wasn't bugging the neighbors...

Why Apple keeps dicking around with this is beyond me.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Solver Avatar
7 months ago
Thread network updated to v1.3.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Friday December 1, 2023 12:19 pm PST by
iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list. Journal ...
iOS 16 4 Web Push

Apple Confirms Governments Using Push Notifications to Surveil Users

Wednesday December 6, 2023 5:06 am PST by
Unidentified governments are surveilling smartphone users by tracking push notifications that move through Google's and Apple's servers, a US senator warned on Wednesday (via Reuters). In a letter to the Department of Justice, Senator Ron Wyden said foreign officials were demanding the data from the tech giants to track smartphones. The traffic flowing from apps that send push notifications...
airpods pro 2 pink

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware

Tuesday December 5, 2023 11:28 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware update for both the Lightning and USB-C versions of the AirPods Pro 2. The new firmware is version 6B34, up from the 6B32 firmware introduced in November. Apple does not provide details on what features might be included in the refreshed firmware beyond "bug fixes and other improvements," so it is unclear what's new in the update, but prior software releases ...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue

'All-Screen' iPhone Under-Display Camera Enters Development

Wednesday December 6, 2023 2:03 am PST by
Apple's Korean suppliers have begun developing smartphone under-display cameras (UDC), paving the way for the first iPhone with a true "all-screen" appearance. According to The Elec, LG Innotek has entered the preliminary development of the UDC, which sits under the display and does not result in a visible hole in the panel when the camera is not in use. A UDC differs from a typical front ...
magsafe blue 2

iOS 17.2 Brings Qi2 Support to iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 Models

Tuesday December 5, 2023 11:04 am PST by
The iOS 17.2 update that Apple is set to release to the public in the near future will bring support for the next-generation Qi2 wireless charging standard to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models. Qi2 was mentioned in the release notes for the RC version of the update that came out today. With the addition of support for the new standard, iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models will work with Qi2...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 May Reuse Existing iPhone 14 Battery

Wednesday December 6, 2023 1:17 pm PST by
Recently, MacRumors has received details on the battery currently being tested on the upcoming fourth-generation iPhone SE, and the information corroborates previous findings in relation to the device. The iPhone SE 4, known by its device identifier D59, is expected to use the exact same battery found in the base model iPhone 14. Partially assembled prototypes of the next iPhone SE have been ...
airpods pro bulbs

Black Friday Prices Return for AirPods Pro 2 With USB-C, iPad, and More

Tuesday December 5, 2023 7:30 am PST by
Today we're tracking a collection of deals that are matching - or nearly matching - the same all-time low discounts we saw during Black Friday. This includes the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C, 9th generation iPad, and M1 MacBook Air. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the ...
instagram messenger

Instagram and Facebook Messenger Chats to Disconnect This Month

Tuesday December 5, 2023 1:57 am PST by
Meta has revealed plans to end Instagram users' ability to chat with Facebook accounts later this month, rolling back a feature that it introduced over three years ago. In September 2020, Meta (then Facebook) announced it was merging its Facebook Messenger service with Instagram direct messaging, allowing Instagram users to chat with Facebook users and vice versa using the same platform....