Apple took down the 18.1 beta software for the HomePod after many users experienced device “bricking.” This issue caused their HomePod units to stop working entirely. Reports first appeared on AppleInsider forums, where affected users detailed their experiences.
Users Share Complaints About the Beta
One user, Jeromec, said two of their HomePod mini units became unresponsive after the update. “The light goes white, then red, and then turns off instead of continuing with three audio beeps,” they explained. Their devices also failed to connect to any Mac systems.
Other users described similar problems, noting that once their devices were bricked, there was no easy way to restore them. Jeromec managed to restore his HomePod minis to version 18.0 using Apple’s Configurator tool, but not everyone has had the same success.
Apple Quietly Pulls the Beta
Apple pulled the beta without an official announcement. However, reports about the issue quickly spread on sites like MacRumors. It seems the problem is more common with the HomePod mini, but it’s unclear if larger models are affected.
History of Beta Withdrawals
This isn’t the first time Apple has faced issues with beta software. Last week, they pulled the iPadOS 18 beta after users with M4 iPads reported similar problems. The HomePod 18.1 beta issue now adds to the growing concerns about the stability of Apple’s recent updates.
For now, Apple hasn’t announced when a fixed version of the beta will be available. Users are advised to avoid beta updates to prevent further issues.
