The new HomePod started shipping to customers last week with some users experiencing issues with the HomePod stuck in configuring status within the Home App.
While this can happen to any HomePod from time to time and a simple reset normally fixes this. In the case of the new HomePod, it may be related to it being shipped with version 16.0 firmware. So when a user try’s to add a new HomePod with other devices running 16.3, then then it will just get stuck in configuring mode.
I personally experienced this issue with one of my new HomePods stuck in configuration status and found a solution that appeared to work on Reddit.
Create a temporary home in the Home App
Reset HomePod
Take out the plug for 10 seconds,
Plug it back in and wait 10 seconds
The HomePod top panel will swirl while now hold your finger on the top until it turns red
Siri will then warn you the HomePod will reset and beep 3 times
Release your finger and the HomePod will reset
Now create a new, empty, additional home in the Home app: “Test” with “Test room”
Open the Home App
Tap the icon with the 3 dots in the top right
Tap Home Settings
Then tap Homes in the top left
Tap Add Home
Then follow the steps to setup a temporary home
Now add the HomePod to the test Home. It may take a couple of hours for the HomePod to configure
Once the HomePod completes configuring mode, update the firmware to software version 16.3 via the software section in the Home App
Open the Home App
Tap the icon with the 3 dots in the top right
Tap Home Settings
Remove HomePod from the temporary home and reset it
Open the Home App
Tap on the HomePod icon
Scroll down to settings
Then tap reset homePod and then Remove Accessory
Re-add HomePod in your original home
Delete the temporary home
This method worked for me, although it took a couple of hours for the HomePod to come out of configuration mode. If you have a question or a comment, then leave it below. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.