Every HomePod should still be compatible with HomePod Software 26

AppleInsider

As is traditional in the days before WWDC, compatibility lists leak out. This time, the HomePod Software 26 list is out, with a surprise.

New HomePod (left) internal layout versus old (right)

There have been almost no rumors about the September 2025 revision to the HomePod software, other than it being probably called HomePod Software 26. However, what devices are compatible was not leaked before Friday's post.

Before this leak, saying that all HomePods ever shipped are compatible, we'd have guessed that the original HomePod that shipped in 2018 would have been dropped off the compatibility list. After all, it was announced at the 2017 WWDC, shipped in February 2018, and uses the A8 processor found in the Apple TV HD, but nowhere else.

Apple shifted its focus to the HomePod mini in 2020. It cited that focus in the discontinuation of the product at retail in March 2021.

It was classified as vintage in 2024, a year after release of the second generation of the larger HomePod.

We feel that the leak is probably right. The leaker in question has a long and storied history of this kind of post, and also for leaking build numbers of betas accurately in the days before release.

Regardless, we'll all find out on Monday, June 9. Apple's 2025 WWDC keynote is scheduled for 1PM ET.



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daven

Great to hear! (Pun intended.) I have two original generation HomePods, use them daily, and love the sound quality. Makes watching videos on my TV so much nicer.

charlesn

Under the usual Apple hardware standards, yes it's a surprise. But with only 3 models of HomePod ever released, it makes sense to support them all, and doesn't screw over the early adopters of HomePod 1. 

bobolicious

...and yet the magic mouse is not compatible with last years' macOS...

Does Apple want your data...?

applezulu

I think that the rumored home hub (maybe to be  announced at WWDC?) will yet further extend the life of original HomePods. The hub would be a centralized, powerful processor that can handle the heavy lifting, leaving the HomePods as capable as they’ve always been at playing audio. With no batteries and nothing to wear out, there’s really no need to retire old HomePods. 

Also, as Apple plans to press forward with the Apple Home system for controlling all your home things, there’s a significant incentive for Apple to preserve all existing user interfaces out there. Apple Home only “just works” when users can issue home control commands from anywhere in the home. Discontinuing support for original HomePods would undermine the broader goal by expecting customers to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars to replace existing devices just to maintain status quo. Instead, they can let us keep our perfectly good HomePods and upgrade their capabilities with the purchase of a single home hub. This is the way. 

chasm

Bobolicious: your tinfoil hat needs some loosening. LOL