Somebody has discovered a approach to repair software program bricked HomePods

In contrast to the HomePod mini, each the unique HomePod and the HomePod 2 don’t have a USB cable, which suggests there’s no straightforward approach to join them to a pc to repair software program points. And sadly, there are quite a lot of customers who’ve had their HomePods bricked attributable to software program errors. However somebody has discovered a approach to repair these HomePods.

Repairing unique HomePods with bricked software program

As proven in a video by Nic’s Repair, who makes a speciality of fixing HomePods, there’s a approach to get better some unique HomePods with bricked software program. Doing this isn’t precisely straightforward and requires just a little information of electronics, but it surely proves that bricked HomePods aren’t essentially fated to be thrown away.

This was made potential because of a proprietary connector hidden below the bottom of the HomePod. This connector is utilized by Apple for diagnostics, however with the best instruments (and a particular adapter), it may be used to attach the HomePod to a Mac.

Since Apple doesn’t present IPSW recordsdata for the unique HomePod (because it lacks a USB connector), restoring it requires utilizing OTA recordsdata mixed with the Apple TV firmware – in any case, HomePod additionally runs tvOS. The device, which is offered on GitHub, gives a step-by-step information to restoring the software program of an unique HomePod.

Nic says he has plans to construct and promote the USB adapter required to attach the HomePod to the Mac, which can make it a lot simpler for individuals to attempt to repair their bricked HomePod at dwelling. These with a bit extra information can attempt making their very own adapter utilizing a 3D printer with this mannequin accessible right here.

Apple forces customers to exchange HomePods slightly than restore them

Once more, whereas fixing a HomePod your self isn’t precisely straightforward, the purpose right here is that there’s a approach to do it. Nonetheless, Apple itself insists on charging customers for out-of-warranty repairs when the HomePod software program is bricked.

“The plain query is why has Apple been telling prospects its a {hardware} difficulty and promoting them out of guarantee replacements on one thing so simply recoverable? We’re LITERALLY simply plugging in a usb cable and hitting restore. This ought to be prison,” Nic stated in a publish on X.

For example, Apple fees $279 to exchange an out-of-warranty unique HomePod, whereas shopping for a model new HomePod 2 prices $299.

As Apple now has a Self Service Restore program, it might be good to see the corporate acknowledge that there’s a approach to rescue bricked HomePods.