How do I get Apple to replace my HomePod minis that stopped connecting to WiFi?
I’m only mentioning that I’m disabled with a brain injury so you understand why I can’t go to apple and talking on phone is torture, plus I have to record call and still won’t remember. This writing took 7 hours btw.
I have the latest HomePod in my room and picked up a couple of HomePod Minis for the kitchen and office. But they ended up barely being used because Siri is still useless for anything beyond kindergarten-level questions—always redirecting me to my iPhone. I have a lot of Apples products since the white MacBook. I’m an iPad Pro, Pro who’s been so, so patient through the development. Nothing has caused stress like these HomePod minis. I feel shame or embarrassment whatever it is when you trusted and were let down.
I’d love to eventually switch my 60+ Alexa-connected devices and IoT setup to Apple HomeKit/Matter. Every bulb in my home is smart, and all my cameras are connected—except for one smart bulb and one security cam that never lose connection and work instantly (and securely) at home. Moving forward, I’m only buying HomeKit/Matter-compatible devices.
I initially tried using the HomePod Minis as a makeshift rear speaker setup with my full-sized HomePod II in front. They worked great—until they both randomly stopped connecting to WiFi. First, one failed, then the other shortly after. Apple Support told me to bring them into the Genius Bar, but that’s not happening. I have a brain injury, I can’t drive anymore, and honestly, this is Apple’s problem. I’m done troubleshooting, and I’ve waited through multiple software updates with no fix.
I briefly got excited when one of the Minis let me connect it to my Mac and update it to version 18.x, but the other is stuck on 17.x. I pay around $60/month to Apple/Verizon for warranties and services, including AppleCare—which, frankly, has been absurd from day one. I’ve never had to use it, and Apple considers products “vintage” laughably fast.
New iPhones and iPads are too fast, constantly pushing upgrades that are ruining both minds and the planet. People should wait at least three years before upgrading. I’ve already learned the hard way—after paying for AppleCare on two flamingly expensive devices—that even Apple doesn’t seem to know what might go wrong. I skipped AppleCare for these HomePods, assuming they’d work for more than a year or two.
Honestly, Apple should just send me new ones. Their hardware and software should function properly for at least 3–5 years—especially from a company that preaches sustainability. I’ve considered cutting wires to repurpose them as wired speakers somehow, since they’re in perfect condition physically. They power on, but Apple’s software has basically bricked them.
At this point, they should just work. Or Apple should replace them.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
HomePod mini, 18
