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Apple pulls iOS 13.2 after multiple reports of bricked HomePod smart speakers

Teaser
Do not install iOS 13.2. If you have a HomePod and have installed iOS 13.2, DO NOT RESET YOUR HOMEPOD. Multiple users are reporting that iOS 13.2, released yesterday, bricked their HomePod smart speakers. Apple has since pulled the update.
Apple Audio Fail iOS Software Smart Home

In less than 24 hours, Apple pulled the iOS 13.2 update. The revoke is in response to a bug that has reduced multiple HomePod smart speakers to paperweights.

Apple launched iOS 13.2 yesterday, and it was a hotly anticipated update. In addition to the usual slew of security and bug patches, iOS 13.2 finally brought the Deep Fusion image rendering technology to the iPhone 11 family. Users jumped on the update, but many were left baffled when their HomePods no longer worked.

Apparently, a bug in the code can brick a connected HomePod should the accompanying audioOS update be pushed to the smart speaker. (AudioOS is the custom firmware used on HomePod.) When users unpaired or reset their HomePods, the speakers got trapped in a boot loop. To make matters worse, Apple Music went offline temporarily yesterday; several HomePod owners thought the problem lay with their speaker and reset the device, only to have it boot loop indefinitely.

Apple has since pulled all software updates in an attempt to contain the damage. The company also changed the HomePod support page to instruct HomePod owners running the latest update to not reset their devices. Those that have should contact Apple support for assistance.

Apple has had a rough 2019 when it comes to software. MacOS Catalina has had its fair share of bugs, and Apple has released a patch for iOS 13 every week since its launch last month. Like we said yesterday, it’s usually a good idea to wait a few days before you install an update.

Source(s)

Apple

Reddit

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2019 10 > Apple pulls iOS 13.2 after multiple reports of bricked HomePod smart speakers
Sam Medley, 2019-10-29 (Update: 2019-10-29)