The HomePod Software 16.2 updates the architecture of your smart home, making devices perform faster and more reliably than before.
Apple launches HomePod software update 16.2
Apple released the HomePod software update 16.2 on December 13, 2022, bringing a new Home app architecture following the addition of the Matter standard.
Apple says the new architecture delivers a faster, more reliable performance for the Home app—especially in homes equipped with lots of smart devices. However, you must also update your smart home devices as well as hubs like HomePod and Apple TV to finish upgrading your smart home.
What’s new in HomePod Software 16.2?
If you see a pending HomePod update in the Home app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, select it to view release notes on your device.
You can also use your browser to visit a support document about HomePod software updates on Apple’s website to see what’s new. Apple didn’t update this document with the HomePod software 16.2 release notes at the time of writing, but we’ll be making sure to include the entire changelog here when it does.
How to upgrade your smart home to a new architecture
To update your smart home:
- Install iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2, macOS Ventura 13.1 and HomePod software 16.2 on all your Apple devices
- Open the Home app to finish updating your smart home
You can install updates on your iPhone and iPad by venturing into Settings → General → Software Update. On your Mac, click the Apple menu and choose System Settings, then select General → Software Update.
With that done, open the Home app, hit the (…) three-dotted menu and choose Home Settings > Software Update. You should see a message at the top of the screen informing you that updates are available for your smart home.
“Home has a new underlying architecture that will improve the performance of your home,” the message reads. Now touch Learn More and you’ll see a message prompting you to upgrade your home to “take advantage of improved performance and reliability of the accessories in your home.”
Touch Continue and you’ll see a new message about pending updates for the home hubs you’ve added to the Home app, such as your HomePod speakers.
Next, install the HomePod software 16.2
After installing iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2 and macOS Ventura 13.1, update your HomePods and other home hubs like Apple TVs to the new underlying architecture.
“Your HomePod speakers require a software update before this home can be upgraded,” reads the onscreen message. “Upgrading your home requires that all HomePod speakers in your Home or associated with your iCloud account are updated to tvOS 16.2 or later,” the message continues.
Hit Update Now to install the HomePod update 16.2. “When all your HomePod speakers have been updated, you can start this home upgrade again.”
Finish the process by updating your other Apple devices to the latest software.
Don’t forget to update your Apple Watches and Apple TVs
To update your Apple Watch, open the companion Watch app on your iPhone (must be running iOS 16.2), then hit the My Watch tab and choose General > Software Update. Make sure that your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and that your Apple Watch is at least 50 percent charged.
To update your Apple TV, go to Settings > System > Software Updates and choose Update Software. If there’s an update, select Download and Install. Your Apple TV will restart to prepare and install the update. Be sure that the device is connected and plugged into power until the update is complete.