How do I follow Apple's instructions to connect a HomePod Mini speaker to my Mac to restore it, when the speaker does not have a socket on it to do this? I've tried connecting with Bluetooth in case these instructions are for a previous model, but Bluetooth not does recognise this as a 'nearby device' when it's only inches away, and connected to power. OS is Ventura (13.3.1).
TIA.
HomePod mini
Using the USB-C cable that came with it, plug that into the port on your Mac
Reset HomePod or HomePod mini - Apple Support
Using the USB-C cable that came with it, plug that into the port on your Mac
Reset HomePod or HomePod mini - Apple Support
The HomePod has a USB-C cable which can be plugged into the provided power adaptor, or directly into a Mac (with a USB C-A adaptor if needed). Connecting to a Mac provides an alternate route to restoring the device when the Press top of HomePod to reset it instructions from Reset HomePod or HomePod mini - Apple Support don't work.
If the HomePod is as dead as it sounds from the description so far it should be well within its warranty period. You may need to return it to wherever it was purchased from for a replacement.
tt2
I'm not clear on what you mean by '...connect a HomePod Mini speaker to my Mac to restore it'. What exactly are you trying to restore?
In any case, assuming your Mac and HomePod mini are connected to the same local Wi-Fi network, you should have no trouble seeing & connecting to HomePod(s) via AirPlay over Wi-Fi (stereo pair of HomePod minis named "Living Room"):
o reiterate, the cable in this speaker, and the second one I own, is not removable, and it doesn't plug into the computer, it connects the speaker to electrical mains power.
You’re not removing the cable from the homepod mini - that stays. Take off the adapter brick (circled in red) it’s attached to then you plug the cable USB-C end (in yellow) into the Mac. This can only be done with the Mini.
Interesting. Never had the need nor have I considered a HomePod to be worth backing up in the first place. What sort of data gets stored on a HomePod? Just config info?
Thanks.
[Edit] Nevermind. I actually glanced at the support article you linked to:
If you can't reset HomePod mini, you can restore it. Restoring your HomePod mini resets it and updates it to the latest software.
I'm trying to reset the HomePod Mini. I assume, although Apple doesn't specifically say, that this means resetting the speaker to its factory settings. It may mean restoring my personal settings for that speaker. I'd be happy with either of the two.
This HomePod Mini does not have a USB connector on it, the only connection it has is to mains power with a standard UK three-pin plug. The cable is hardwired to the speaker and not removable. The speaker was bought in December 2022.
The speaker appears to be completely dead, I've repeated everything in Apple's instructions with no response.
Thank you both for your responses. I appreciate them.
Thank you for your responses.
You’re not going to be removing the wire/cable, leave it on the mini and instead of it being plugged into its wall adapter you’re going to plug that (wire) into the Mac port. It will flash orange on top when it’s plugged into the Mac
it does say “reset your HomePod or HomePod mini to its factory settings” right at the top of the page. This will remove all data and not save your settings. You will need to set it up again.
If it’s completely dead and cannot be revived you would need to contact Apple Support to see about a replacement or repair.
I did write a more detailed response which the further replies require. I see a red message telling me that I was trying to post content which is not permitted, but there's no way of identifying what that particular content was. It wasn't rude, or even marginally impolite or inaccurate, and all the punctuation was correct. So I cannot describe the details of the problem.
I'm awaiting a reply to my fifth attempt to return this speaker, and a later HomePod Mini, to Apple, for problems which are well documented in these communities.
To reiterate, the cable in this speaker, and the second one I own, is not removable, and it doesn't plug into the computer, it connects the speaker to electrical mains power.
Thank you for your responses.
Apologies for the bad editing. More caffeine needed.
It’s another way of resetting back to factory settings. The OP had asked about a “restore”
Apple uses 'restore' and 'reset' interchangeably in this context.
Misleading instructions on Apple support
