How-To

How to Change HomePod Wi-Fi

By Adam Davidson

Updated March 18, 2024

Is your Apple HomePod connected to the wrong Wi-Fi network? If so, then here’s how to change HomePod Wi-Fi.

Apple’s HomePod and HomePod mini are smart speakers with Siri built in. If you’re an Apple user, the integration with your other Apple gear is really good. For example, if you’re playing music on your iPhone, you can pass it on to your HomePod just by holding your iPhone near your HomePod.

When you set up your HomePod, it automatically connects to the same Wi-Fi network as the iPhone or iPad you use to set it up, without you needing to enter your Wi-Fi password. However, if you want to connect it to a different Wi-Fi network at some point, it’s not obvious how to do so and the process isn’t always easy. Here’s how to change HomePod Wi-Fi.

How to See Which Wi-Fi Network Your HomePod is Connected To

Before you start trying to change your HomePod Wi-Fi, it’s worth checking which Wi-Fi network it’s currently connected to. Your HomePod automatically connects to the same Wi-Fi network as the iPhone or iPad you use to set it up, so you may find that your HomePod is already on the network that you want to use.

1. Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the HomePod icon.
   
3. Tap the Settings icon in the bottom-right of the screen.
   
4. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
5. Next to Wi-Fi Network you’ll see the network that your HomePod is currently connected to, as well as an icon showing the current network signal strength.
   
6. You can tap Wi-Fi Network to see the current Wi-Fi Address.
   

How to Move Your HomePod to a Different Wi-Fi Network

There’s no way to manually choose the Wi-Fi network for your HomePod; it will automatically connect to the same network as your iPhone or iPad. If your Wi-Fi network changes, and your HomePod can no longer connect to the original Wi-Fi network, you should get a notification in the Home app. You can use this notification to connect your HomePod to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone or iPad. If you don’t see this notification, you’ll need to try one of the other options below.

1. Launch the Home app on your iPad or iPhone.
2. If your HomePod can’t connect to the Wi-Fi network, you should see an alert about a network mismatch.
3. Tap View Details.
   
4. The message will indicate the current Wi-Fi network that the HomePod is connected to and that the network is different from the one that the iPad or iPhone is currently connected to.
5. To connect the HomePod to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPad or iPhone, tap Move HomePod to [Network Name].
   
6. Your HomePod should now connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPad or iPhone. This may take a few moments to complete.
7. Your HomePod will stay connected to this new Wi-Fi network until another network mismatch is detected.

How to Restart Your HomePod

If you don’t see the notification about a network mismatch, even when your HomePod and iPhone or iPad are on different networks, you can try restarting your HomePod. This may cause the HomePod to recognize that the Wi-Fi network is not the same, allowing you to change your HomePod to a different network. In my experience, restarting my HomePod was enough to trigger the network mismatch notification and allow me to change the Wi-Fi network.

1. Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the HomePod icon.
   
3. In the bottom-right of the screen, tap the Settings icon.
   
4. Scroll down to the very bottom of the page.
5. Tap Reset HomePod.
   
6. Select Restart HomePod.
   
7. Your HomePod will restart.
8. Once the restart is finished, check the Home app to see if you now have the network mismatch notification. If you do, follow the steps in the section above to move your HomePod to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone or iPad.

How to Factory Reset Your HomePod Using the Home App

If restarting your HomePod still doesn’t bring up the network mismatch notification, the only option remaining is to factory reset your HomePod or HomePod mini. This will remove all settings, including the current Wi-Fi network. When you set up the HomePod again, as explained later in the article, your HomePod will automatically connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone or iPad, allowing you to change your HomePod to a different Wi-Fi network to the one it was previously connected to. You can reset your HomePod from the Home app.

1. Launch the Home app on your iPad or iPhone.
2. In the Home tab, tap your HomePod.
   
3. In the bottom-right corner, tap the Settings icon.
   
4. Scroll to the very bottom of the screen.
5. Tap Reset HomePod.
   
6. Select Remove Accessory.
   
7. A white spinning light may appear on the top of the HomePod. Wait until this has stopped; your HomePod is now reset.
8. You can set up your HomePod on a different Wi-Fi network by following the instructions in the How to Set Up a HomePod section below.

How to Factory Reset Your HomePod Manually

If you’re unable to reset your HomePod through the Home app for any reason, you can also manually reset your HomePod. This achieves the same thing as resetting your HomePod through the Home app and will return your HomePod to its factory settings. You can then set up your HomePod again on a different Wi-Fi network.

1. Unplug your HomePod from power.
2. Wait for 10 seconds.
3. Plug your HomePod back in.
4. Wait another 10 seconds.
5. Tap and hold the top of the HomePod.
6. Keep your finger on the top of the HomePod, even when the white light starts spinning.
7. Siri will announce that your HomePod is about to reset. After three beeps, you can remove your finger.
8. Once your HomePod has reset, you can set it up again on a different Wi-Fi network using the instructions in the How to Set Up a HomePod section below.

How to Restore a HomePod Mini With a Mac or PC

If you have a HomePod mini, it’s also possible to restore it using a Mac or a PC running iTunes for Windows by connecting it via the USB-C cable. Restoring your HomePod mini will reset it and update it to the latest software. You can then set it up again on a different Wi-Fi network.

1. Connect your HomePod mini to your Mac or PC using the USB-C cable used to power your HomePod.
2. On a Mac, click Allow to connect the accessory and open Finder.
   
3. On a PC, install and open the most up-to-date version of iTunes for Windows.
4. Select your HomePod mini from the left-hand menu.
   
5. Click Restore HomePod.
   
6. Click Restore to confirm your decision and agree to the terms and conditions.
   
7. Once the process is complete, you’ll get a notification that your HomePod mini has been restored.
   
8. You can now set up your HomePod mini on a new Wi-Fi network by following the instructions below.

How to Set Up a HomePod

Once you have reset your HomePod to factory settings, it will forget the previous Wi-Fi network and will be ready to be set up again. During the setup process, the HomePod will automatically connect to the same Wi-Fi network as the iPhone or iPad you’re using to set it up. Make sure that the iPad or iPhone that you’re using to set up the HomePod is connected to the Wi-Fi network that you want your HomePod to use.

1. Ensure that your iPhone or iPad is connected to the Wi-Fi network that you want your HomePod to use.
2. Plug your HomePod into power and look for a white light to start pulsing on the top of the HomePod.
3. Once you see the pulsing light, unlock your iPad or iPhone and bring it close to the HomePod.
4. When your HomePod appears on your iPhone or iPad, tap Set Up.
   
5. Move your iPhone or iPad to capture your HomePod in the center of the frame that appears.
   
6. Alternatively, tap Enter Passcode Manually and enter the four-digit code that Siri gives you.
   
7. Follow the instructions on your iPhone or iPad to set up your HomePod.
8. Once the setup is complete, tap Done.
   
9. You can check that your HomePod is connected to the new Wi-Fi network using the instructions at the start of this article.

Changing Your HomePod Wi-Fi

It’s not immediately obvious how to change your HomePod Wi-Fi, because there’s no direct way of doing so. Your HomePod will automatically connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone or iPad when you set it up, and the only way to change it easily is if your HomePod detects a network mismatch. If this doesn’t happen, you’ll have to resort to restarting or resetting your HomePod. Thankfully, setting your HomePod up is simple to do.