HomePod 16.2 software makes your smart home faster and more reliable

HomePod 16.2 software updates the architecture of your smart home, making devices faster and more reliable than before.

Apple Releases HomePod 16.2 Software Update

Apple released the HomePod 16.2 software update on December 13, 2022, introducing a new home app architecture following the addition of the Matter standard.

Apple says the new architecture makes the Home app faster and more reliable, especially in homes with more smart devices. However, you must also update your smart home devices as well as hubs like HomePod and Apple TV to complete your smart home update.

What’s new in the HomePod 16.2 software?

If you see a pending HomePod update in the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, select it to view the release notes on your device.

You can also use your browser to visit the HomePod Software Update Support document on the Apple website to see what’s new. Apple has not updated this document with the HomePod 16.2 software release notes at the time of writing, but we will be sure to include the entire changelog here when we do.

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 16.2 software on all your Apple devices.
• Open the Home app to complete the smart home update.

You can install updates on your iPhone and iPad by going to Settings → General → Software Update. On a Mac, open the Apple menu and choose System Preferences, then choose General→Software Update.

Once you’ve done that, open the Home app, tap (…) the three-dot menu, and select 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.

“The house features a new core architecture that will improve the performance of your home,”the post reads. Now click “Learn More”and you’ll see a message suggesting you upgrade your home to “take advantage of the improved performance and reliability of accessories in your home.”

Tap Continue and you’ll see a new message about pending updates for home hubs you’ve added to the Home app, such as HomePod speakers.

Then install the HomePod 16.2 software.

After installing iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1, update your HomePods and other home devices like Apple TV to the new base architecture.

“Your HomePod speakers require a software update before this home can be updated,”the message on the screen reads. “Updating your home requires that all HomePod speakers in your home or associated with your iCloud account be updated to tvOS 16.2 or later,”the post continues.

Click Update Now to install the HomePod 16.2 update. “When all of your HomePod speakers have been updated, you can start this home update again.”

Complete the process by updating the software of other Apple devices to the latest version.

Don’t forget to update your Apple Watch and Apple TV.

To update your Apple Watch, open the companion Watch app on your iPhone (must be running iOS 16.2), then go to the My Watch tab and choose General > Software Update. Make sure your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network and your Apple Watch is at least 50 percent charged.

To update your Apple TV, go to Settings > System > Software Updates and select Update Software. If there is an update, select Download and Install. Your Apple TV will restart to prepare and install the update. Make sure the device is plugged in and connected to a power source until the update is complete.