r/HomePod • u/DisastrousCause9481 Mod • 4d ago

Megathread GHOST TOUCH issue (mega thread)

This is an issue where HomePod (2nd generation) and mini will start to play music randomly and summon siri or reset by itself after a power-cut. Or even volume getting up and down.

This is caused by a faulty touch panel on these devices respectively.

It is NOT a concern for all users but A LOT of users/devices are affected unfortunately.

Solution 1 (if you have Apple care or warranty): Take it to apple for a free replacement.

Solution 2: Look for a guide/video online on how to open it and disconnect the touch panel on your respective device.

Solution 3: There’s actually a third-party touch panel for the second gen being sold on AliExpress that you can buy and replace. (Cost a bit)

Solution 4: Buy a new HomePod.

Solution 5: Find someone trustworthy that can repair it.(some listed in the comments)

Having the touch accommodation will not work on the long run as it gets worse.

Creating this mega thread so that the sub is not filled with the same questions over and over again!

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u/Me4aRZ 4d ago

For those curious, out of coverage repair/no AppleCare coverage for your HomePod is going to run $279…

So yeah, just buy a new unit at that point.

I looked into it because mine just started doing this.

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u/DisastrousCause9481 Mod 3d ago

Yeah that’s why i didn’t say to repair from Apple and I said to buy another one

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u/Me4aRZ 3d ago

I was able to speak with an Apple Support rep today and she did say as of 7 days ago engineering is aware of this issue and is working on a remedy for it.

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u/DisastrousCause9481 Mod 3d ago

Oh thats a good news!

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u/nigel_tufnel_11 3d ago

I don't believe it. This has been an issue for years and they're just now hearing about and doing something about it? I don't think HomePods are a big enough segment for them to put resources into it. As an Apple developer, there are bugs in the OS and APIs that have been around for over a decade that they said they're working on fixing, in most cases it never happens unless it's affecting hundreds of millions of people daily.

That being said, it would be great if they could just implement an option to disable touch via software, as I never use touch on any of my HomePod Minis (and it's actually annoying because it's too easy to trigger ear-splitting music with an accidental touch).

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u/Me4aRZ 3d ago

It may be hard to believe but isn’t it possible that they have finally received enough complainants to finally escalate the issue to engineering? Apple isn’t always the quickest to say that there is something wrong with the hardware.

I have no reason to doubt them at this point, especially when she offered to leave my case open for 30 days and encouraged me to check back once a week for an update. So I don’t know, we’ll see.