Most problems with your HomePod can be fixed simply by restarting it. However, when the problem is not solved (or in case you want to sell it, give it away or send it to technical service) it is necessary to first factory reset your Apple HomePod or HomePod mini to delete all your personal data and make it work like new.
In this article, I’m going to show you that resetting the HomePod is as simple as resetting the Google Nest speaker and much more intuitive, although the process will depend on the device you have linked to the speaker (remembering that it doesn’t work with Android).
How to factory reset your Apple HomePod or HomePod mini manually
The most direct and easy way to restore a HomePod to factory settings is to manually reset the hardware. For it:
- Unplug your HomePod and wait about 10 seconds.
- After that time has elapsed, plug it back in and wait another 10 seconds .
- Touch your finger to the top of HomePod and hold it down.
- Wait until the white light turns red without ever lifting your finger .
- Siri will tell you that the device is about to reset, and then you’ll hear three beeps, after which you can lift your finger.
When you use this method, you need to manually remove the speaker from the “Home” app , as it will likely still appear linked to your devices.
How to factory reset a HomePod using the “Home” app
If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with the same Apple ID as HomePod, you must:
- First, open the “Home” app.
- Then press and hold the HomePod or HomePod mini icon until the menu drops down.
- Scroll to the bottom of the window and tap “Settings.”
- Again, scroll all the way down and select “Reset HomePod.”
- Finally, choose the option “Remove accessory” and confirm.
If you’re using a Mac, the process to factory reset your Apple HomePod or HomePod mini is similar:
- First, you need to right click on HomePod .
- Then select “Settings” from the context menu.
- Once done, click on the ” Reset HomePod” option.
- Finally, a tab will be displayed in which there are two options: ” Restart HomePod” and “Remove accessory” , this last option being the one you must click to reset your HomePod.
If you’ve followed each of these steps to the letter, your HomePod should have already started the reset process. When finished, it will indicate to you by means of a sound that it is ready to configure it again .
Other Options: Factory Reset HomePod Using a Mac or Windows
Now, if you want to restore your HomePod you just have to:
- Connect it to a computer (either Mac or Windows) using the USB-C cable.
- After a few seconds you should open a Finder window if you are a Mac user. Now, if you are a Windows user, you should do it using the latest version of iTunes.
- As soon as the connected HomePod appears, you must select the icon .
- Finally, click ” Restore HomePod” and wait for the orange light at the top to stop flashing.
How to restart your Apple HomePod
If you’re looking to fix a simple connectivity issue, you don’t need to reset your HomePod . The ideal, in this case, is to restart it first by following these simple steps:
- Find the “Home” app on your paired device and open it.
- Locate the HomePod icon and hold it down until the menu drops down.
- Select the “Settings” wheel at the bottom right.
- Scroll down until you get to the “Reset HomePod” option.
- Hit the “Reset HomePod” option and voila!
It’s that easy to factory reset your Apple HomePod or HomePod mini! Using any of these three methods, you will be able to leave it as new to configure it again. And if you have any questions, leave it in the comments so we can help you.