You can download and install the latest HomePod beta software 17.0 for free if you’d like to test-drive new features before they become available to everyone.
Anyone can install public beta software on their HomePod mini or the second-generation HomePod (the first-generation model isn’t supported) as long as their iPhone or iPad is on the iOS or iPadOS 17 beta, even if they’re not developers.
You shouldn’t use prerelease software on your daily drivers because things could break and features might stop working correctly. Lucky for you, the built-in Feedback Assistant app lets you report any encountered bugs directly to Apple.
In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to set your HomePod to use prerelease software, receive beta updates, revert to the current stable software and more.
How to get beta software on your HomePod
Sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program by logging in with your Apple ID at beta.apple.com. The Apple ID you use on your Apple devices will do just fine. This program is aimed at the general public, so it’s free and anyone can participate in it.
Next, install the iOS 17 beta or iPadOS 17 beta on your iPhone or iPad. Finally, use the Home app to enroll your HomePod in the program and receive betas.
- Open the Home app on your iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 beta device.
- Touch the … (ellipsis) icon in the top-right corner and choose Home Settings.
- Hit the Software Update option in the home settings.
- Select HomePod Beta Updates.
- Slide the switches next to any HomePods you wish to receive beta software.
Software Update will automatically download and install the beta on the selected HomePod and HomePod mini. A white light on the HomePod’s top is spinning when the beta is installing—don’t unplug the speaker or you could brick it.
As soon as the light stops spinning, your HomePod is ready for action. Go ahead, ask Siri a question to confirm everything works as it should.
To see the version number of the HomePod software you’re currently running, go to Settings > [Your name] on your iOS device and select your HomePod in the list. The HomePod software version number is printed next to Version.
Alternatively, use the Software Update feature within the Home app to check the version number of the installed HomePod beta software.
HomePod beta unavailable?
There could be three possible reasons why the HomePod beta isn’t listed within the Home app. Firstly, you may be using the Home app on your Mac. HomePod betas can only be enabled in the Home app on an iOS or iPadOS device.
Secondly, your iPhone or iPad might not be running beta software. You must use the beta version of the Home app that’s part of the iOS and iPadOS 17 beta in order to download and install the HomePod beta software.
And thirdly, you could be attempting to install the HomePod beta software on the original HomePod. Apple’s Beta Software Program doesn’t support the first-generation HomePod (the original full-size model).
How to receive HomePod beta updates
Your HomePod is set to receive software updates automatically by default. When a new beta update becomes available, the HomePod will get it automatically.
Follow these steps to check for HomePod beta updates manually:
- Open the Home app.
- Hit the … (ellipsis) icon in the top-right corner and choose Home Settings.
- Touch the Software Update option.
- If there’s an update to the HomePod beta software, hit Update to install it.
Youćre recommended to set your HomePod to automatically receive future updates. You can do so under the Automatic Updates heading in the Software Update section of the Home app. The Mac version doesn’t support HomePod betas.
The Home app on the iPhone or iPad that’s paired with your HomePod and running the iOS 17 beta or iPadOS 17 beta is the only way to receive HomePod beta updates.
How to submit feedback directly to Apple
Your bug-reporting efforts are crucial in helping improve the HomePod software. By participating in the Beta Software Program, you’re helping Apple iron out the bugs and smooth out the rough edges ahead of a public release.
Don’t expect everything to work smoothly all the time. Apple says HomePod betas are work-in-progress, meaning “some applications and services may not work as expected and their data may not be backwards compatible.”
You can find the Feedback Assistant app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac running the iOS 17 beta, iPadOS 17 beta or macOS Sonoma beta.
You can also view Feedback Assistant on the web at feedbackassistant.apple.com.
How to turn off HomePod beta updates
To stop receiving HomePod betas, unenroll your speaker in the Home app’s Software Update section on your iPhone or iPad with iOS or iPadOS 17 beta.
- Open the Home app.
- Hit the … (ellipsis) icon in the top-right corner and choose Home Settings.
- Choose Software Update.
- Touch the HomePod Beta Software option.
- Deselect any HomePods you no longer want to be receiving beta updates.
Doing so won’t downgrade your HomePod’s software to the current stable version. So, how do you get a stable version of the HomePod software on your speaker?
How to switch to the stable HomePod software
Long story short, when the commercial version of the HomePod software is released, you’ll be able to download and install it. What you cannot do is downgrade the HomePod beta to the previous stable version (16.5 at the time of writing).
The very last HomePod beta update will be a so-called Golden Master (GM) release, the same version as the commercial update released to the general public.
Because of that, folks on the HomePod software 17.0 GM won’t get the launch version this fall. But as soon as the first update to the HomePod software drops (17.0.1, 17.1, etc.), it’ll show up in your Software Update.
How to leave the Apple Beta Software Program
You can leave the Apple Beta Software Program anytime you want. However, you must first unenroll all your devices before clicking Leave Apple Beta Software Program at the bottom of the page at beta.apple.com/unenroll-your-devices.
After leaving the program, Apple will no longer send you emails about it and you’ll be prohibited from using the Feedback Assistant app. The beta shall remain on your device, but you’ll stop receiving further updates.
You can overwrite the beta as soon as the HomePod software launches publicly.
Bleeding edge has its perks
The HomePod beta program is primarily aimed at developers, early adopters, the curious types and just about anyone on the iOS 17 beta.
If you count yourself among one of those groups, the instructions above will walk you through the steps required to install the beta version of the HomePod software. But if you couldn’t care less about test-driving unreleased features, then it’s best to avoid installing prerelease software.
These betas are only relevant during a beta-testing period that rarely lasts over three months. If you don’t live on the bleeding edge, you’ll get the new features at the same time as others who have been patiently waiting for a public release.