Apple Details What to Do If You Can't Update HomePod When Advanced Data Protection Is Enabled

[MacRumors]

Apple has published a new support document explaining what to do if users are unable to set up or update a HomePod when Advanced Data Protection for iCloud is enabled.

To use Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, all the devices logged into your Apple ID require a minimum software version. That includes HomePod speakers, which must be running at least HomePod software 16.2.

However, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, there is a bug in the Home app that prevents HomePods running older versions of the software from being updated if iCloud end-to-end encryption has been turned on.

This means anyone buying a HomePod that ships with an OS older than 16.2 won't be able to set it up, because doing so first requires an update.

Apple's support document explains what options are available to customers facing this predicament. If the speaker in question is a HomePod mini, users can connect it to a Mac via the USB-C cable and update it through Finder (or iTunes on a PC) by selecting the HomePod in the Finder sidebar and clicking the Restore HomePod option. This will update the speaker to the latest software, after which it can be properly set up.

The full-size first-generation HomePod and the new 2023 HomePod have no USB-C port, so unless Apple includes a fix in iOS 16.3, which is expected to be released next week, owners of these speakers will have to temporarily turn off Advanced Data Protection to update the HomePod software. Apple outlines how to do that in the following way:

1. Turn off Advanced Data Protection in iCloud settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac: In Settings or System Settings, tap your name, then tap iCloud. Scroll to Advanced Data Protection and turn off Advanced Data Protection.
2. If you received an error message when you previously tried to set up your HomePod, you may need to reset your HomePod. Then set up your HomePod.
3. Update your HomePod to the latest software using the Home app.
4. Turn on Advanced Data Protection in iCloud settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac: In Settings or System Settings, tap your name, then tap iCloud. Scroll to Advanced Data Protection and turn on Advanced Data Protection.

Apple advises anyone who temporarily turns off Advanced Data Protection to turn it back on immediately after their HomePod software is updated.

Article Link: Apple Details What to Do If You Can't Update HomePod When Advanced Data Protection Is Enabled

 

[celaurie]

They were quick getting that out.

 

[contacos]

It just works …

if you research. That value preposition of Apple is long gone unfortunately

 

[jk111]

Oops. But I'm not surprised. This is the new Apple.

 

[mystery hill]

The full-size first-generation HomePod and the new 2023 HomePod have no USB-C port

Why don’t they just standardize on USB-C?

The product lineup is becoming too fragmented.

 

[cashville2400]

This is ridiculously embarrassing! I miss the old Apple.

 

[MacWiz_007]

Here's what I'll do, I won't buy a HomePod...for the second time around.

 

[willyx]

"all the devices logged into your Apple ID require a minimum software version"

A new way for Apple to make your devices obsolete

 

[Menel]

It just works …

if you research. That value preposition of Apple is long gone unfortunately

It's an optional security layer.
The more security layers you heap on, the more issues you're going to have, in general.

 

[Menel]

Why don’t they just standardize on USB-C?

The product lineup is becoming too fragmented.

Because the power supply is internal...
It has a NEMA plug.

 

[ELman]

Alexa's response was "I don't understand data protection"

 

[MacAppleUser]

SMART!!
So i activate ADP for avoid access to my data, upload data to iCloud in order to keep them sucure but, due to this "bug", i have to turn it off and then on again.
Unfortunately, once turned it off, the keys (and data) became accessible to Apple...

Am I wrong?

 

[mystery hill]

Because the power supply is internal...
It has a NEMA plug.

Yes, but then there’s no way to restore it like you can with the HomePod mini.

 

[mystery hill]

due to this "bug", i have to turn it off and then on again.
Unfortunately, once turned it off, the keys (and data) became accessible to Apple...

Am I wrong?

Unless you have a HomePod mini and a Mac or PC.

 

[4nNtt]

This threw me for a minute, but figured it out on my own. Apple really should have delayed iCloud sign-in until after an update or at least provided a better error message when it fails. This is the sort of situation that plagues Windows, I hope this is a one time oversight and not Apple slipping in it-just-works.

Similarly, lack of auto-updates during initial installation have long been an Apple in the enterprise concern. If unpatched operating systems are allowed to be deployed on a corporate network or corporate hardware that could be a security risk.

 

[ConcernedCitizen]

It just works …

if you research. That value preposition of Apple is long gone unfortunately

Can you share your research?

 

[Irken Skoodge]

I have Advanced Protection on and got a new HomePod Mini yesterday. I added it to my account and updated from 16.1 to 16.2 without any problems.

 

[Cheesehead Dave]

Wait... the new HomePod doesn't have the same USB-C power cord as the mini? Why would they do that?

/I already know the answer to that question...

 

[dustin_]

They were quick getting that out.

Ridiculous. I was working w Executive Support (who were aware of this issue) over three weeks ago.

Sloppy Apple.

 

[now i see it]

I expected nothing less. Welcome To The Walled Insane Asylum

 

[antiprotest]

It's an optional security layer.
The more security layers you heap on, the more issues you're going to have, in general.

That should be something for Apple to fix, and never something for a consumer to worry about.

 

[PsykX]

So many bugs with their security features in the last 2-3 years... kinda shameful.

With the Apple ecosystem, it became : do I want my environment secure or do I want it stable ?

 

[solarmon]

Here's what I'll do, I won't buy a HomePod...for the second time around.

I skipped the first go-around, too. I have spatial audio on the AirPod Pros, and it is impressive. I use a Sonos system with sub-woofer and love the clarity of the sound.

But if Apple can replace that standard, I’ll likely bite, at some point. Do not know that we’re there yet, though.

 

[allenvanhellen]

"all the devices logged into your Apple ID require a minimum software version"

A new way for Apple to make your devices obsolete

This needs a big disclaimer you have to agree to before updating the first device beyond this point.

 

[8379096]

I imagine you could also create a throwaway Apple ID without ADP enabled, sign into the HomePod with that, do the update, and then reset it to switch back to the real Apple ID. Turning off ADP seems like a bit of a heavy-handed solution.