Apple on Wednesday released the HomePod 17.1 software for the HomePod and HomePod mini. The update brings support for the Enhance Dialogue when paired with an Apple TV 4K.
Apple’s full release notes for the update are below.
Software version 17.1 adds support for Enhance Dialogue on HomePod mini and HomePod (1st generation) so you can hear spoken voices more clearly over effects, action, and music in a movie or TV show when paired with Apple TV 4K. This update also includes bug fixes and stability improvements.
Enhance Dialogue is a feature that is meant to boost the volume of spoken voices to make dialogue easier to hear over effects, action, and music in a movie or TV show. The feature works when a HomePod or HomePod mini is paired to an Apple TV and used as the audio output option.
Until now, Enhance Dialogue was only available on the second-generation HomePod. The feature first debuted in tvOS 17. with both tvOS 17.1 and HomePod software 17.1 installed, Enhance Dialogue can be enabled on any HomePod (or set of HomePods) paired to an Apple TV 4K.
To enable Enhance Dialogue for all content:
- Click the Settings icon with your Siri Remote.
- Click “Video and Audio.”
- Scroll down and click “Enhance Dialogue.”
To enable Enhanced Dialogue while watching content, bring up the playback controls with the Siri Remote, and choose the Enhance Dialogue feature from the Audio Options button.
How to Update HomePod Software
Your HomePod or HomePod mini should update automatically, but you can also manually update your device by doing the following:
- Open the Home app.
- Tap on the icon that looks like three dots in the upper right corner.
- Tap on “Home Settings.”
- Scroll down to “Software Update.”
- Tap “Software Update” to see if there are any available updates.
Once you’ve tapped on “Software Update,” you’ll see the current version of the HomePod software that is installed on your HomePod or HomePod mini. You can also toggle off automatic updates if you want.
If there is an available update, tap the “Install” button to update your HomePod. If you have more than one HomePod or HomePod mini in your home, each one will be updated at the same time via this software update feature.
A white spinning light appears on the top of HomePod while it’s updating. The update might take some time. Make sure that your HomePod stays plugged in while it’s updating.
