HomePod Authentication issues in Home App

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Level 6

12,093 points

HomePod Authentication issues in Home App

Hello all:

Perhaps someone could shed some light on this issue. Recently I had to change my Apple ID password. When that happened all of my HomePods (in 5 different" Homes" )were asking for the new password and they did not respond as HomeHubs for obvious reasons while waiting for the updated password.

I did click on Enter Password on the HomePod configuration on Home app and it would say Authenticating for about a minute and then the message would appear that the password was incorrect. There is no way to manually enter the password on configurations in the Home app.

The solution was to remove the HomePod from the Home and reset it to factory settings and reconfigure. It worked and now the HomePod is back as a HomeHub and everything seems to be working again. Nevertheless, before I do the same on the other "Homes" and Pods (as some of the homes are complicated and I know I will have to set everything up again) , is there another way of doing this? Am I missing something here?

Last item I changed the password, the HomePod accepted the new password with no problems. Albeit, this was with iOS 17 (maybe 18) if I recall correctly. Running 26 on all devices now.

TIA

Posted on Jan 11, 2026 7:45 AM

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Answer 1

FelipeV Author

Level 6

12,093 points

Jan 23, 2026 2:28 PM in response to brbo

UPDATE:

Just ran into the issue again. The only solution that has worked is to reset the HomePod to factory settings and configuring it again.

Luckily this doesn't seem to "break" the rest of the devices in the Home, but does not allow for remote (out of the house) control as there is no HomeHub available until the HomePod is reconfigured.

Thought you'd like to know.

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Answer 2

brbo

Level 8

38,827 points

Jan 14, 2026 8:41 PM in response to FelipeV

Hi FelipeV

Re: HomePod Authentication issues in Home App : Running 26 on all devices now.

Seems your password change, instead of Authenticating, shows a "password incorrect" message

✽ Is it possible you can first log-out from using the old password ?

Restarting a device may update settings and bring the new password into use.

Then check whether you can log-in with the new password ?

✽ A tip I noticed from a similar issue in a much earlier case was to check you are signed in correctly

to Apple Music, and Apple TV etc. and then check whether the Home app now authenticates ok.

_________________________________________________

✽ Wondering which version of the Home app is installed on your devices: ie: updating may help with issue.

From Apple support: Update Apple Home - Apple Support

Eg: says: "Support for the previous version of Apple Home will end on 10 February 2026."

and

"Update Apple Home to improve smart home accessory performance and use features

such as guest access, robot vacuum cleaners and Activity History in the Home app."

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Answer 3

brbo

Level 8

38,827 points

Jan 15, 2026 10:26 PM in response to FelipeV

Thank you kindly for taking the time to reply, and to let us know. Sorry nothing above has helped.

You may want to check that you are using the newest iOS 26 version on your iPhone:

About iOS 26 Updates - Apple Support says: iOS 26.2 is the latest ... and ...

This update includes enhancements to Apple Music, Podcasts, and Games,

as well as other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone.

You may want to check with Apple Account Support (info / support / contact options etc.)

Apple Account - Official Apple Support

or

You may want to check with Apple Support in your country or region::

See how to: Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

or

You may want to send feedback to reach those who work on the software behind-the-scenes at Apple:

All feedback is carefully read and logged, and if others have a similar issue, it may be addressed in a future update: Web=form for feedback: Feedback - Home App - Apple

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Answer 4

FelipeV Author

Level 6

12,093 points

Jan 15, 2026 3:35 AM in response to brbo

Thanks for your help.

Been there and done all that before posting here. It seems that the only thing that solved the problem was to delete the HomePod and configure it again. While this solved the problem, I had to reinstall and reconfigure all of the devices that were in the Home again.

I guess that would not be a problem if you only had a few devices, but when you have over 20-30 that is a painful process.

The solution is not ideal.

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Answer 5

FelipeV Author

Level 6

12,093 points

Jan 16, 2026 3:26 AM in response to brbo

brbo wrote:

You may want to check that you are using the newest iOS 26 version on your iPhone:

About iOS 26 Updates - Apple Support says: iOS 26.2 is the latest ... and ...

This update includes enhancements to Apple Music, Podcasts, and Games,

as well as other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone.

As I said in my original response to you, everything you suggested in your original post has been done. No need to repost boilerplate information a second time.

Thanks for your help.

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Answer 6

FelipeV Author

Level 6

12,093 points

Jan 17, 2026 5:26 AM in response to brbo

Thanks again. But it seems like you did not read the original post or any of responses to your followup posts. Everything you had suggested originally had been tried a priori to your post. On the subsequent post you suggested that I should upgrade to iOS 26.2, something that I mentioned in the original post that I had done.

Have a nice day.

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Answer 7

brbo

Level 8

38,827 points

Jan 18, 2026 12:42 AM in response to FelipeV

Thank you. Sorry for any confusion. I read everything fairly carefully, as many of us in the community do.

Note: "Running 26 on all devices now." was stated in your original post

Eg: This did not tell me, (or any other community users who may read your post to see if they can help)

whether or not you'd updated your device(s) to the most recent OS 26 version for the device(s).

If you want more effective answers: These tips from a respected community member may be helpful.

Writing an effective Apple Support Commun… - Apple Community

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Answer 8

MrHoffman

Level 10

146,839 points

Jan 23, 2026 3:14 PM in response to FelipeV

Consider setting up some mid-grade or pro-sumer networking gear to permit remote access, as that’ll both let you connect in remotely to fix issues, and allow remotely power-cycling the affected gear.

(Potentially with site-to-site / SDN established across the five locations, as well.)

As handy as it is, HomeKit (Matter, Threads, etc) gear is probably best as “secondary” anywhere where the gear has to work, as it can be unstable.

If you already have that access, I’d add remote switches to the hub power connection.

If you're interested in this topic, I can provide more info.

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