HomePod mini: Problem with touch sensor makes it start playing by magic
Apple's compact smart speaker can develop problems with the touch sensor after a few years of use. It is unclear how often this happens – There is no remedy.
(Image: Apple)
Music starts in the middle of the night or a podcast starts: More and more owners of Apple's HomePod mini are reporting this problem on Reddit and in the official Apple support forum. The reports have been piling up for over a year. The reason is apparently hardware problems with the integrated touch sensor on the top of the devices, which can be used to control the small smart speaker – In addition to start/stop, Siri requests or reset, you can also adjust the volume using the plus and minus buttons.
Ghost music and reset loop
The error manifests itself in two ways. Firstly: As mentioned, the HomePod mini also likes to start playing – suddenly while you are asleep – which can be extremely annoying depending on the volume setting. Secondly, the device thinks it is in reset mode and remains in this mode permanently. Both problems tend to occur one after the other: The user hopes to solve the "ghost music" issue with a reset, but can't get out of it.
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You can try to remove dust or use cleaning alcohol to clean the surface (not the fabric!), but these do not seem to be very useful rescue attempts. There are long threads on Reddit where users describe having fixed the issue by simply disconnecting the touch sensor cable inside. However, you then not only have to disassemble the HomePod mini (with special tools), but also glue the base back together. And in the future, control will only work via a connected device such as an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Repair is not worthwhile
One affected device in the Mac & i editorial team experienced a reset loop after trying to restart the affected HomePod mini via the Home app. Other users report that the reset attempt can also be triggered randomly in the middle of the night. Nevertheless, leaving the palm of your hand on the device while the red reset light is illuminated can help prevent a reset loop. The device is then actually reset and can be reconfigured with an iPhone, for example. However, both errors, i.e., ghost music and involuntary switching to reset mode, can occur again afterward.
The problem also occurs when the HomePod mini is hardly used – What exactly triggers it is still unclear. It is possible that something is decomposing in the device. What the affected units have in common is that they are already older; the defective model in the Mac & i editorial office was from 2021. The warranty, which Apple must provide for 24 months under EU law, has therefore often expired. You can try to appeal to Apple Care or visit the Genius Bar in the Apple Store for goodwill, but there is no free replacement program, nor does Apple have to help free of charge. Repairing the HomePod mini – which in practice is equivalent to replacing the device – is hardly worthwhile due to the high price for "other damage" of 89 euros (without AppleCare+ device insurance). This is because the retail price for new products is 90 euros, depending on the color.
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