HomePod software (officially audioOS) is the quiet member of Apple's beta family: it shares its foundation and build numbers with tvOS, updates through the Home app, and mostly just works. The reason to run its beta is Siri — voice features ship here early, and audioOS 27 carries the new Siri architecture.
The trade-off: a beta smart speaker affects everyone at home, and there's no downgrade. Here's how to enroll a HomePod deliberately, and how to keep one speaker stable if you have several.
What you'll need
HomePod or HomePod mini
HomePod (1st and 2nd generation) and HomePod mini all run audioOS 27.
iPhone or iPad with the Home app
Signed in with the Apple Account that owns (or administers) the home.
Beta program enrollment
The home owner's Apple Account must be enrolled — same beta.apple.com or developer.apple.com signup as everything else.
Step-by-step
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1Open the Home app's HomePod settings
In the Home app on iPhone/iPad, long-press your HomePod tile, scroll down and open the gear icon, then find Software Update.
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2Enable beta updates for this HomePod
Inside Software Update, toggle beta updates on. The option appears only when the home owner's Apple Account is enrolled in the beta program. Stereo pairs enroll together.
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3Install audioOS 27
The beta build appears as an available update — start it and leave the speaker powered. The status light pulses white during the update; 15–30 minutes is typical.
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4Give Siri a test round
Music request, timer, one smart-home command and an intercom message — the four things a family actually notices. If all four work, your beta HomePod is in good shape.
After installing
Future betas install automatically overnight while the toggle stays on. If you'd rather approve them manually, turn off automatic updates in the same Software Update screen and trigger each build yourself.
Troubleshooting
Beta toggle doesn't appear in the Home app
Only the home owner (not invited members) sees it, and their account must be enrolled. Check both, then force-quit and reopen the Home app.
HomePod unresponsive after updating
Unplug for ten seconds and replug. If it stays stuck with a persistent red/orange light, it needs a restore via the Home app (mini: via cable to a Mac) — which reinstalls the current beta, not stable.
Siri got worse on the beta
New Siri features roll out server-side in waves, so day-one wobble is common. Check the speaker's language/region settings match your phone and give it a few days before judging.
Frequently asked questions
Can I downgrade a HomePod to audioOS 26?
No — HomePod restores reinstall the channel the speaker is enrolled in. You leave the beta by disabling the toggle and waiting for the next stable release.
Why does audioOS share build numbers with tvOS?
They're built from the same platform. That's also why our site lists identical build strings for both — it's not a mistake.
Does the beta affect my whole smart home?
Only through that speaker: its Siri, its hub duties. Other hubs (Apple TV, other HomePods) keep serving automations normally.