HomePod Mini Now Works With Select 18W Chargers Following 14.3 Software Update

Earlier this month, Apple released a 14.3 software update for the HomePod and HomePod mini, and it has since been discovered that this update allows the HomePod mini to be powered by select 18W chargers.

homepod mini
As noted in a Reddit thread spotted by The 8-Bit, and confirmed by MacRumors, the HomePod mini now works with Apple's own 18W USB-C power adapter and select third-party 18W power adapters from brands like Aukey. One user was even able to power the HomePod mini with an 18W battery pack from Cygnett, allowing for portable use.

Previously, when attempting to use the HomePod mini with a power adapter rated below 20W, the speaker would simply display an orange light and not function. This may still be the case with certain 18W power adapters, as certain power profiles may be required.

Apple includes a 20W power adapter with the HomePod mini, but many customers may have an 18W power adapter from an iPhone 11 Pro or other device.

To check if your HomePod mini is running the 14.3 software update, open the Home app on an iPhone, tap on the house icon in the top-left corner, tap on Home Settings, and tap on Software Update. ‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌ software updates are installed automatically, unless the feature is disabled‌‌‌‌, but updates can also be installed manually.

Related Roundup: HomePod mini
Buyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

jonnysods Avatar
42 months ago
I was just happy when I opened my Mini for Christmas that it came with a power brick...
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BruiserB Avatar
42 months ago
I inadvertently noticed something had changed, now this makes sense. I have an Aukey 36W charger that has 2 USB C ports. Prior to the software update, it would power the Homepod mini if that was the only thing plugged into it, but the Homepod would glow orange if something else was plugged in. I just recently noticed that it stopped doing this and I could plug something else in as well. My guess is with 2 things plugged in, 18W is allocated to each port, but this is now enough for the mini.

EDIT: Just looked at the Aukey manual...it says: Either USB-C port can output 30W Power Delivery on its own. When both ports are used, each USB-C port outputs up to 18W Power Delivery.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
840quadra Avatar
42 months ago
FINALLY works with my Anker portable battery pack. Now to see how well it lasts

Attachment Image
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
42 months ago

I was going to buy a couple of these until I found out that you have to plug them into a wall socket...so 1990s. Why not make them rechargeable?
They're designed to sit on a table / desk / etc. Why needlessly complicate the design by adding batteries and charging hardware, and then complicate use by having to worry about keeping them charged, and having to worry about battery life? They're speakers - if you add batteries, either they're bigger and heavier, or there's less room for, you know, the actual speaker drivers, lowering sound quality.

Do you also want your TV to be rechargeable? And only plug your TV in when it needs to charge?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pdmpolishing Avatar
42 months ago

I was going to buy a couple of these until I found out that you have to plug them into a wall socket...so 1990s. Why not make them rechargeable?
Because the HomePod mini is a hub in the HomeKit environment, if the rechargeable battery were to go flat, no more controlling your automated home.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Htsi Avatar
42 months ago

Why would you need to use a different power supply than the one supplied? Doesn't make sense.
Swap out old iPhone 11 Pro brick to HomePod and use 20w for your new iPhone.
That’s the only way I see it makes sense.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone Home Screen Gradient Blank Spaces 1

Sources: iOS 18 Lets Apps Be Placed Anywhere on Home Screen Grid

Sunday March 24, 2024 1:33 pm PDT by
iOS 18 will give iPhone users greater control over Home Screen app icon arrangement, according to sources familiar with the matter. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, to ensure there is some uniformity, our sources say that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18. For example, we expect that the update will introduce...
iPad Pro 2024 Landscape Camera Feature

New iPad Pro Again Rumored to Feature Landscape Front-Facing Camera

Monday March 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
The next-generation iPad Pro will feature a landscape-oriented front-facing camera for the first time, according to the Apple leaker known as "Instant Digital." Instant Digital reiterated the design change earlier today on Weibo with a simple accompanying 2D image. The post reveals that the entire TrueDepth camera array will move to the right side of the device, while the microphone will...
iPhone 15 General Feature Green

Apple Says These New iOS Features Are Coming Later This Year

Sunday March 24, 2024 7:45 am PDT by
Apple has previously announced three new iOS features that it said are coming to the iPhone later this year, as outlined below. The new features include the ability to install iPhone apps on the web in the EU, RCS support in the Messages app, and next-generation CarPlay. Web Distribution Apple recently announced that eligible developers will soon be able to distribute their iOS apps to ...
sonoma desktop wwdc

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 With Fix for USB Hub Bug

Monday March 25, 2024 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, a minor update for the macOS Sonoma operating system that launched last September. macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 comes three weeks after macOS Sonoma 14.4. The ‌‌‌‌macOS Sonoma‌‌ 14.4‌.1 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings. There's also a macOS 13.6.6 release for those who...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue Face ID Single Camera Hole

Seven Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17

Tuesday March 19, 2024 5:20 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models concurrently, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
maxresdefault

iOS 18 Rumored to Feature 'More Customizable' Home Screen

Sunday March 24, 2024 7:10 am PDT by
iOS 18 will feature a revamped Home Screen that is "more customizable," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He revealed this information in his Power On newsletter today, but he did not provide any specific details. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple will announce iOS 18 at its annual developers conference WWDC in June. Other features and changes rumored for...
combine images

Top Stories: iOS 18's Generative AI Features to Rely on Google?, Latest on New iPads, and More

Saturday March 23, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
We're getting closer to the launch of new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, while rumors about iOS 18 are continuing to ramp up with this week's surprise revelation that Apple has been talking to Google and others about potentially helping power the generative AI features expected to be a major part of this year's update. Other news this week saw the release of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1...