Quick fix for Homepod Mini setup

I’m experimenting with trying to remove Sonos. That’s a story for another time.

But a part of that is switching my smart speakers over to Apple Homepod and Homepod Mini. I already have a few around the place, and they work well with Homekit and Siri.

I already had one Homepod Mini in my office, but to replace the two Sonos One, an extra Homepod Mini to create a stereo pair was a non-negotiable. As it happened, I had one on the shelf (I tend to pick them up if I see them being sold secondhand…) - this one was actually brand new and never used. Nice.

Plugged it in and started the setup process, which on Apple gear is usually pretty flawless, but on this occasion something was up - it would get so far through the setup process - usually on the Siri integration - and then just hang. There was a ‘continue’ button but hitting it did nothing.

Assuming this was a well-known issue, a quick search but the internet was oddly unhelpful with all the usual fluff of turn it off and on again, factory reset etc. Even advice about creating a whole new Home and removing and readding all your devices.

Actually the issue - and the fix - was much, much simpler.

The issue was only that the firmware/software on the Homepod Mini was old - it was 15.1.1 whereas latest is 18. So it needed updating.

This was also straight-forward - plug it in to your Mac - and wait for it to appear in Finder. When it does, there is a ‘restore’ option - and this will actually download and install the latest software (approx. 4gb)

Get that done, then run the setup process again and this time - no worries, sailed through like a greased piglet. Stereo pair of Minis now setup and ready to go. 3d printed these nifty holders. Job done.

If only I could figure out a good way to get BBC Sounds on there…