HomePod mini stuck in ''configuring''

I purchased a HomePod mini to use as a HomeKit hub. Went through the setup procedure and it failed to update because I had ''advanced data protection'' turned on. Turned it off and the HomePod updated from software version 15.6 to 16.5, however it's still stuck in configuring. Reset the device multiple times and it's the same thing everytime. In the home app, it says ''HomePod is being configured. Additional settings will be available shortly...''. Also alarms and timers are greyed out and it says that they can be viewed and managed only when this homepod is on the same network as this iPhone. I restarted my phone and router to no avail. Logged in to my router and I can see that the HomePod is indeed connected but it doesn't show it is in the home app (I can't see the wifi strength bars).


In this current state I can use it as a speaker and I know for a fact that it is connected to my wifi network as I see it as an audio output option on my MacBook Pro and it disappears if I turn off wifi. I asked Siri random facts and it did read the information from a wikipedia page. When I ask Siri to set an alarm or timer it says that something went wrong with my request and to try again later. I haven't tried controlling any HomeKit accessories yet because they haven't been delivered yet.


Help please!!!

HomePod mini

Posted on Jul 15, 2023 4:04 PM

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Posted on Dec 30, 2023 6:20 PM

This is patently ridiculous. The whole “it just works” mantra is what draws consumers to Apple in the first place. I won’t spend any more time than I already have trying to get a brand new HomePod Mini to correctly connect. We got two for Christmas. One connected flawlessly, and the other has cost me a half-day of my holiday vacation.


I’ll be voting with my wallet and returning it.


No one should have to be this knowledgeable about networks to get this thing to connect.

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106 replies

Mar 15, 2024 10:20 AM in response to rharripersad

OK. I had the same issue and (after a fruitless conversation with Apple Support where we tried turning off my mesh network, restarting the router and various other things) this is what fixed it for me.


Create a second ‘Home’ account in the Home app, force the HomePod Minis to re-set and then set them up as if from new, but link them to the new ‘Home’ account. They then worked as expected (stereo pairing, etc).


Unfortunately, it is not possible to migrate them from the new Home account back to the original one, so I had to migrate all my other devices from the original account to the new one, which was a PITA, but at least they’re working again.


Fingers crossed Apple come up with a better fix soon (but having been kept waiting for two years before I could play to a stereo pair of HomePods from my Mac, I’m not overly hopeful anyone there can be bovvered with such mundane housekeeping chores…).

Mar 25, 2024 4:34 AM in response to rihana225

Hi @rihana225,


you don’t have to give a cc details, you may need to give an address but you have the option to skip the cc details and not specify a payment method. It might not be obvious but it is there. Perhaps the option to pay using a gift card, but you don’t need to enter details.


second, reset the HomePod and setup using a different network, ideally on the 2.4GHz frequency. You can ‘move’ the HomePod to your preferred network afterwards.

it may take 1 or 2 attempts. But that worked for me.

hotspot to the phone might help, but I haven’t tested this option.


I hope that helps, it is very frustrating. It’s been working fine for me since I got them reconfigured.

I’ve applied updates etc without issue.

Mar 10, 2024 9:28 AM in response to Dufeal

[Updated Method] Adding HomePod to Home App Without Cancelling Subscription - Step by Step


Hey everyone! I've got an updated method for you on how to add your HomePod or HomePod mini to your Home App without canceling your subscription. Here's the step-by-step guide:


Step 1: Create a US Account

Create the US account as described previously. If you already have a back US Account use that.

See the following post: HomePod mini stuck in ''configuring'' - Apple Community


Step 2: Sign Out of Current Account

Sign out of your current account on your iPhone or Apple Device where you're setting up your Apple Home app.


Step 3: Sign Into Apple Music with US Account

Without signing into your device, sign into the Apple Music app using your US Apple account previously created.


Step 4: Do Not Subscribe to Apple Music

Do not subscribe to Apple Music service or make that account your default on your Apple device.


Step 5: Add HomePod to Apple Home App

Proceed to add the HomePod or HomePod mini to your Apple Home app. Use your default account to associate with your device.


Step 6: Use US Apple Account for Music

Apple may suggest using your US Apple Account for Music. Use your US Apple Account at this point.


Step 7: Allow HomePod Configuration

Your HomePod or HomePod mini will begin to configure. Give it time. If you can monitor device traffic, you'll see minimal traffic from your HomePod after about 5 minutes with a high bandwidth internet connection. You will actually see when your device has completed configuration on the Home App.


Step 8: Adjust HomePod Settings

Once configuration is complete, go to your HomePod settings in the Home App and change your Primary

User and HOMEPOD ACCOUNT to your default account.


Step 9: Backup via iCloud Backup (Optional)

As a precaution, you can back up your account via iCloud Backup.


Step 10: Sign Out of Store

Go to the Sign Out option of your device under Apple ID. Select Sign Out and choose to Sign Out of Store.


Step 11: Sign Back Into Default Account

Go into the Store App, select the account icon, then select "Sign in With Apple ID." Follow the prompts to sign back into your default account.


Now you're all set to control your devices within your Home App and listen to your music via the Music App. Enjoy! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. 🏠🎵


Dec 14, 2023 2:08 PM in response to rharripersad

Ok - easy peasy - original HomePod - iOS 17.1 - no need to switch to another country

  1. unplug for 10 seconds and plug back in.
  2. wait another 10 seconds before holding down - keep holding - Siri will tell you (in about 25 seconds) that HomePod is being reset and to wait for the 3 beebs before releasing finger.
  3. after a few minutes a pop up screen appeared on my iPad saying the HomePod is ready to configure - hit continue. Another pop up screen appears asking you to enter a 4 digit code which Siri will provide you.
  4. then it takes about 10-15 minutes to complete
  5. I had 2 HomePods and repeated the process - on the 2nd it asked if I wanted to pair with my other HomePod - I clicked Yes.
  6. sit back and wait 10-15 minutes to complete.

Dec 14, 2023 3:34 PM in response to evmo321

Ok - easy peasy - original HomePod - iOS 17.1.1 - no need to switch to another country

  1. unplug for 10 seconds and plug back in.
  2. wait another 10 seconds before holding down - keep holding - Siri will tell you (in about 25 seconds) that HomePod is being reset and to wait for the 3 beebs before releasing finger.
  3. after a few minutes a pop up screen appeared on my iPad saying the HomePod is ready to configure - hit continue. Another pop up screen appears asking you to enter a 4 digit code which Siri will provide you.
  4. then it takes about 10-15 minutes to complete along with software update.
  5. I had 2 HomePods and repeated the process - on the 2nd it asked if I wanted to pair with my other HomePod - I clicked Yes.
  6. sit back and wait 10-15 minutes to complete.

Jan 11, 2024 1:37 PM in response to rharripersad

got stuck on configuring with 2 mini's in my office. Tried all the tips here and this is what worked:


  1. created new location while connected to the office wifi 5 ghz connection
  2. reset both mini's
  3. added them to the new office location by putting iphone near the mini as it is supposed to work.

Within minutes both mini's recognized and configured. When it was stuck configuring, I noticed the gear info showed no wifi connection, so figured the issue is it was looking for my home wifi ssid. Maybe wrong, but it worked.....hope this helps someone and saves some headache.

Feb 5, 2024 4:58 PM in response to mavvision

Hey sorry for the delay. Currently, my HomePod sits as if it is owned by the US account but is managed and utilized by my country account. I had to do it this way because I don’t have a US credit card therefore, I would not have had been able to continue using my region account for Apple Music. See the imagine below region account is in Primary User(Apple Music associated) and @icloud.com is the HomePod account. So far this has worked flawlessly and I have full control of HomePods via my region account. I am very hesitant to move HomePod to my region as I am afraid to lose configuration.


[Edited by Moderator]

Jul 17, 2023 4:40 PM in response to Vancouver22

ok so I just did that, reset and remove and setup. it's been in configuring for about 20 mins thus far.


So far I've tried resetting, restoring, hard restarting my phone and router, disabling the firewall on my router and it comes right back to being stuck in configuring. I've also tried creating a new home and test room in the home app and it just gets stuck configuring in there as well.


From settings, I see that it's on tvOS 16.5 and my phone (a 13 pro max) is on iOS 16.5.1.


the only thing I haven't been able to try is a setup on a different wifi network which I don't believe is the problem as my other devices (iPhone, apple watch and MacBook) are connected to it and can access the internet just fine.


one thing I forget to mention is that the popup to enable location services comes up every now and then and also I get a pop up message saying that the HomePod cannot make changes because it's not connected to the internet, make sure I am connected and try again which is puzzling as my other devices are connected and can access the internet as mentioned above.


Jul 17, 2023 7:22 PM in response to rharripersad

rharripersad wrote:

I guess I will leave it alone and try another network when I can. is it a possible bug with this software version tho?

Not sure if it’s a bug. Some will get stuck like this stalling on completing the set up.

it might be worth rebooting the wifi and you could also try resetting network settings on your iPhone - rejoin your wifi once the iPhone restarts. Wifi needs to be on the same network with iPhone & homepod.

I forgot to mention I did all this as well but I’m not sure what finally worked. It’s more frustrating if you keep checking on it lol. It might be done by morning. See if it eventually does complete on its own.


Your Apple TV will act as a Hub in the meantime to add accessories etc.

HomePod mini stuck in ''configuring''

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