HomePod has trouble connecting to new iPhone

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Level 1

36 points

HomePod has trouble connecting to new iPhone

I recently bought a new iPhone 17. My HomePods (all running the latest version, 26.0.1) work fine with it, unless I leave my apartment. When I return and try to do a personal request, along the lines of "Hey, Siri, add eggs to my groceries list," I get a response saying "I'm having trouble connecting to iPhone." If I quickly put my phone in and out of airplane mode, resetting my wifi and cell connection, I can then repeat the request successfully. Any idea why this behavior is happening, and what I might do to fix it? I've tried resetting network settings on my phone, restarting wifi, removing and re-installing all my HomePods using my new phone, all to no avail.

Posted on Oct 20, 2025 9:49 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 19, 2025 2:08 PM in response to pageffect

Actually, found the fix on this. Under “Settings” and then “Privacy and Security,”

go to security tab at bottom and in “Wired Accessories” need to toggle “always allow.”

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Answer 2

spurn555 Author

Level 1

36 points

Nov 20, 2025 7:16 AM in response to spurn555

Unfortunately the privacy and security settings change didn't solve the problem for me. In my case it seems to have something to do with the VPN on my laptop -- if I turn that off the problem goes away. Now I just have to figure out how to get both to work together. Hopefully Apple will address this in the next update.

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Answer 3

Nov 20, 2025 9:42 PM in response to spurn555

Yeah, im such a yutz. The problem is back for me. I thought I was cool, but Homepod again telling me “I’m having a problem with the connection to iPhone.” At least, sometimes, when I wait a few minutes and try again, it works. Hit or miss tho.

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Answer 4

Nov 18, 2025 9:53 AM in response to spurn555

This exact thing is happening to me. I’m surprised more people aren’t posting this problem. Before my iPhone 17 and iOS 26, I could freely make lists, add to current lists, reminders, etc. but now HomePod just says I’m having trouble connecting to iPhone. I discovered that if my phone is unlocked then it seems to work, but I made sure my notifications are good to go on lock screen, so I’m not sure why this is happening. When I’m working around the house, it was nice to be able to tell HomePod what to add to various lists, but now I have to find my iPhone and unlock it, which defeats the purpose of being hands free. I was hoping latest updates would fix this issue, but no avail.

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