iOS 26 finally brings a proper Wi-Fi network selector for the HomePod
Apple’s iOS 26 software finally enables HomePod owners to directly select a Wi-Fi network to conect to independently of their iPhone, which wasn’t possible before.
From its inception, the HomePod hops on whatever Wi-Fi network the iPhone is connected to. Those who have set up a HomePod or HomePod mini know that the speaker automatically connects to the same Wi-Fi network as their iPhone.
Although you can use the built-in Home app on your iPhone, iPad and Mac to see the name of the Wi-Fi network your HomePod is connected to, there’s no way to connect your HomePod to a different Wi-Fi network without changing the current Wi-Fi network on your iPhone. The HomePod Software 26 changes that.
iOS 26 brings Wi-Fi network selector to the HomePod
This feature requires iOS 26 on the iPhone, iPadOS 26 on the iPad, macOS Tahoe 26 on the Mac and HomePod Software 26 on the HomePod.
When you install these updates (launching publiclt in the fall), you will see a new Wi-Fi network selector for each added HomePods at the bottom of its settings page in the Home app. Nils Streedain noted that you can now actually tap the “Wi-Fi Network” field that lists the network the HomePod is currently connected to.
Doing so will open a new page with a new Wi-Fi network selector. You can then simply touch another Wi-Fi network from the list of nearby networks to connect the speaker to without changing the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone or iPad.
Crossfade comes to the HomePod
HomePod Software 26 also brings Apple’s crossfade feature for Apple Music. It’s turned off by default, but you can enable it through the Home app if you prefer smooth transitions between songs instead of gaps or silence between tracks. Like the crossfade feature in the Music app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android, you can set the crossfade transition duration anywhere from 1 to 12 seconds.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/06/26/apple-ios-26-homepod-select-wi-fi-network/
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