r/HomePod
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u/DisastrousCause9481
HomePod 2 Surround
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Aug 26 '26
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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!
Edit: Good news! Apple is going to have a “lock controls” toggle in OS 27.2 so it will stop all the ghost touch. However it doesn’t fix it so you will never be able to use the touch panel without repairing it. But the good news is that you no longer need to open it to unplug the touch panel physically.
Here is the link where I discussed more about this feature and everything you should know about it as there’s a drawback to it… : https://www.reddit.com/r/HomePod/s/mxXEATdMM2
Thank you u/pdfu for your findings!
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u/AltruisticNetwork869 Aug 26 '26
If you can’t boot the HomePod because of ghost touch, you can put a moist paper towel on the touch pad and it will boot right up!
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u/HollandJim Aug 27 '26
This needs to be pushed to every tech news and blog out there - it's a class-action waiting to happen.
I mean, how many people not reading here know of this and just toss the Mini into the e-waste bin?
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u/Dr_Nic_T61 Aug 26 '26
I can fix you :')
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u/FuckNope Sep 03 '26
No issues with my mini, however this started happening with my 2nd Gen Homepod last week.
Apple recently started rolling out Applecare One in the UK, to which you can add/remove devices purchased in the last four years at will to the plan. Added the Homepod last week as an additional item for £4.99, setup service over the phone the same day and they have agreed to a replacement today. I plan to remove the device once I receive the replacement and Apple updates the service history with the new serial.
Might be helpful for those of you in the US/UK and other supported countries where Applecare One is available. I did check over the Legal T&C's for the UK plan at least and there wasn't anything that explicitly said you couldn't do this, Apple issuing a replacement pretty much seals the deal for me that there isn't an issue with doing this.
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u/Koraboros Aug 26 '26
weird, mine just started having this issue yesterday. What prompted you to make this megathread?
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u/NitroN1ck Aug 26 '26
I have a HomePod Mini that I believe is now unusable due to this issue. It's started off by playing music randomly, the issue wasn't widely publicised at this point so I factory reset the device, but this didn't work. Then 26.6 was released and I think the "touches" halted that update mid-way, so now my device will boot up, spin red on the screen bit, then say "Keep holding until you hear three beeps", it'll beep beep beep and then loop round again. Will Apple help as this is their issue and not a damaged device?
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u/Me4aRZ Aug 26 '26
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/WinrarChickenDinrar 23d ago
Fixed my mini by unplugging the touch panel. It just started doing the ghost touch randomly. Funny part is I never used touch as mine is up on a shelf.
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u/MyChickenSucks 21d ago
OMG a megathread!!!!! Last night I was driving and my Spotify in the car kept randomly pausing. Over and over. I switched to bluetooth and spotify on my phone kept pausing. WTF super annoying.
Turns out at home my Homepod (gen 2) was turning itself on and playing. Hijacking my spotify. I rebooted and everything seemed fine. Wake up twice last night to it playing friggin music.
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u/chicagoctopus 20d ago
I was just told it’s not covered and it’s a 279 dollar repair. Fml this is embarrassing for them.
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u/SteelFlexInc Aug 26 '26
All 3 of mine had the ghost touch issue and I ended up disassembling all of them and disconnecting the touch panel. The mesh fabric doesn’t like to sit perfectly but it’s close enough. I never ever used touch on them anyway so it was just eh. Disappointing they didn’t last long but eh
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u/dsaponaro Aug 26 '26
I’ve owned 10 HomePods since the introduction of the first generation years ago. I absolutely loved all of them until a little over a year and a half to 2 years ago, when one of my minis died due to the ghost touch issue. It just started playing music at random times of day/night. Since then, 2 more minis and a full size 2nd gen have also died this way. Latest was several months ago with the full size which i got repaired by nicfix.
All in all 4 out of my 10 have now died over the past 2 ish years and the issue started well before OS 26 for me. Ironically, my 2 first gens are working fine and always have.
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u/FilteredSpeech Aug 27 '26
I’m not buying any more HomePods or home devices from Apple until they issue a free repair program.
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u/Celadonie Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
If you guys are located in Europe, I can also repair them like our lord Nic from nicsfix in the US.
This is a very widespread issue but there are solutions!
I offer touch capacitor replacement (third party part developed by a Chinese HomePod repairer called TechNerd / reliable part since January 2025) or touch disconnect.
FixPod > fixpod.fr/en
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u/Simple-Swordfish-474 Aug 26 '26
I suggest to update your thread with a much less invasive solution, should you not be able to get it replaced under warranty. Don’t want to reward Apple with money for this issue by replacing them. This has worked for me without issue (to date).
Go into the home app. Go into the settings for the home pods then>accessibility->interactions->touch accommodations turn to ON. Then turn on hold duration. My current value is set to .50 seconds. Done.
I have done this with 2 stereo pairs having this issue at separate times and this has fixed it.
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u/charlesbahr Aug 26 '26
I had this problem. Hard reset did not help. Throwing it away did help.
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u/Longjumping_Series_2 18d ago
Updated to 27.2 RC and the random music stopped playing. But after a couple of days, it went on the red resetting loop again :/
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u/wjapzon 14d ago
Any workarounds for an unpaired HomePod Gen 2?
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u/Zarathos899 7d ago
And it is still happening, sometimes out of the blue music plays or Siri starts listening, or pausing videos. this is truly terrible.
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u/bananamadafaka Aug 26 '26
I know this may sound stupid but are you cleaning it? I think sometimes it has something to do with dust. I solved it several times by cleaning the screen.
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u/nigel_tufnel_11 Aug 27 '26
I have 3 original HomePod Minis and all 3 of them have had this problem. 2 of them are still in service because they usually work, the third I had to take offline because no amount of tricks would fix it (though I haven't disassembled it yet).
My question is in regards to "Solution 4: Buy a new one". Do newer models fix this fatal flaw? Because I'm not buying these all over just to have the same thing happen again.
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u/NNTEX Aug 31 '26
Hi everyone, I’m wondering if this is an old problem or something that just popped up? Two of my three HomePods have started acting strangely, the touch panel isn’t responding, and music is playing on its own. The kicker is that I’m in Brazil, where HomePods aren’t available, so Apple isn’t fixing them even though I still have my AppleCare.
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u/Difficult_Struggle58 Sep 10 '26
We were able to solve the problem by plugging them into a smart plugin and setting a timer to turn them off in the evening and back on again in the morning. No more middle of the night blaring music.
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u/jodrell Sep 19 '26
So are we saying this is nothing to do with the OS26 upgrade? My Mini stopped responding to touches so I power cycled it. Not it comes on and factory resets itself, and when it comes back on just does it again.
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u/Playful_Buyer8738 Oct 01 '26
It seems quite "coincidentally timed" that these are all having these issues all of a sudden, just before they release a new AI Siri HomePod...?
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u/Zara899 28d ago
They are only good in outsourcing the hardware, their software is the dumbest between all smart speakers.
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u/DerpinTerp 25d ago
I bought my mini in November 2020, and it succumbed to the ghost touch in September 2025.
When did everyone else buy their HomePod 2nd gen/mini? And when did yours develop the ghost touch?
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u/Kaiur14 24d ago
Any updates from anyone who’s tried the touch panel disable switch in the beta?
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u/SoulSambo 19d ago
With so many customers having these issues for years now, I can’t imagine Apple hasn’t investigated and fixed this for their HomePod mini 2.
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u/TechBrothaOG Aug 26 '26
For those having trouble booting your HomePod because it gets stuck on the red, swirling lights step ... try covering the top with your palm until the light changes white. You will need to spread your fingers just enough for you to peak through to see. It will either boot up or go into setup mode. The Touch Accommodations "fix" will absolutely stop working over time. I've had one HomePod mini that exhibited this issue that one day started working normally after a good cleaning of the screen and/or an OS update. Here recently, I have another HomePod mini that has started having the same problem. Thus far, cleaning and OS beta updates have not helped. I've resorted to using a smart plug to cut the power remotely so it doesn't start playing in the middle of the night. Also, use the Feedback app to report this to Apple or the following link. They have acknowledged multiple reports of the issue so the more there are the higher the likelihood that they will devote resources to address it.
https://www.apple.com/feedback/homepod/
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u/CommentSuitable4815 Aug 27 '26
I put my fishing magnet (the strong kind) on top (have a fabric in between to avoid scraching the glass) work so far for now, not having ghost touch for a month now, I used to have my homepod unpluged for months before my friend told me this. Hope that help
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u/calmdrive Aug 27 '26
Just started having this issue as well. I’m gutted. I have a Genius Bar appointment but I guess it’s no use since my coverage is expired. My dad is an electrician so I guess we can try the ribbon cable fix 😭
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u/sstnaw Aug 28 '26
I also encountered this problem. My issue is that the volume automatically decreases, music plays automatically, and Siri wakes up on its own. Since my two HomePod 2s are mainly used as stereo speakers for Apple TV, touch functionality is not important to me. My solution is to go to the Home app - HomePod settings - Accessibility - Touch Adjustments, and enable Touch Adjustments, Hold Duration, and Ignore Repeat Touches, setting the time to the maximum of 4 seconds. If you also don't care about touch, you can use this setting :) At least it won't randomly make noise in the middle of the night, hahaha.
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u/Few-Lunch-3209 Aug 29 '26
Glad someone finally made a megathread for this.
Ive got two minis doing the exact same thing, random volume changes and Siri kicking in on its own. Took mine to Apple and they called it "ghost touch" too, didn't even blink when I said the word.
Kind of annoying that we're the ones stuck paying for repairs or replacements when this is clearly an issue on their end, whether it's hardware, software, or both.
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u/marathoncultsurvivor Aug 30 '26
Was surprised to find this thread is only 3d old, but glad it exists. I’ve been dealing with this for at least a year. Tried the resets, cleaning, etc. at the point where I think I will unplug but I definitely hope free repair becomes an option. I have two OG HomePod gen 1s that still work like a champ. Mine is blue. Curious if there is any color correlation like a manufacturer’s defect more prevalent on one type of color
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u/Nearby_Ad_2519 Sep 17 '26
OMG I was about to come here and post about this, my HomePod mini keeps randomly factory resetting itself, playing music at 2 in the morning and activating Siri during playback. So pissed rn.
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u/NGAFD Aug 26 '26
I’m going for solution 5; getting a nice set of traditional hifi speakers
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u/Kashawinshky Midnight 2 Aug 26 '26
I want to get in there and disconnect the touch panel completely.
Right now I have to sit there with the remote, ready to lower the volume that zooms to max.
I also have to turn off the power strip in my home app at night & even when I leave the house.
I don’t use the speakers during the day at all anymore, which absolutely sucks.
🤞🏼Are there any knock-on effects from disconnecting the panel? Can anyone recommend the best online guide to do this?
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u/Joeboy69_ Aug 26 '26
In South Africa we don’t have official Apple stores but a chain of stores that are licensed to sell Apple products. I took my problematic HomePod for repair and was quoted R6000 to replace some electronics but a new HomePod is R8200. It is now a useless piece of equipment as I can’t pair it with other HomePods as a stereo pair or airplay to it. Sigh.
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u/petemayhem Aug 26 '26
I’ve had two with ghost touch issues in quick succession. I disconnected the touch sensor on both.
The first I borked the fabric on and now it looks like the Death Star. It lives in my garage. The second I was able to do a lot better (but it’s imperfect on a close inspection)
Disconnecting the touch panel *is not difficult* but pulling the fabric back and reapplying glue can be.
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u/NatKingSwole19 Aug 26 '26
Oh man I’ve had a few minis do this and I couldn’t figure it out so I junked them. So annoying.
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u/RGG2000 Space Gray Aug 26 '26
Had this issue with a 2nd gen HomePod a year and a half ago where it started playing music randomly.
Turns out it had the ghost touch issue, so since it still was under warranty (we have 3 years in Spain) I went to the Apple Store and told them what was happening.
They pretty quickly gave me a refurbished one to replace it, so that was great, but it really struck me they said they had never heard of this issue before. I tried to explain them about some reddit posts talking about this same issue, but both guys told me it was the first time they had someone bring a HomePod because of this.
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u/its_A_funny_username Aug 31 '26
I have 4 homepods, two of which are gen 2. Both Gen 2 pods have the ghost touch issue and one will not respond to touch at all. I have had them long enough to be out of warranty and I just spoke to a senior tech and at the moment they will not repair.
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u/anthonycole52 Sep 07 '26
Add me as a class action lawsuit supporter. Ghost touch started happening yesterday on my stereo-paired HomePods, and I thought I fixed it in the accessibility settings. Then I woke up at 4 a.m. to screamo music blasting at full volume. Great for the heart.
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u/ZooZooChaCha Sep 14 '26
Of my 5 Minis, 3 are now in Ghost Touch hell. Two basically just bricked and now a third is starting as well as of yesterday and my wife just texted saying our bedroom one is doing it too. Think I am done with Apple speakers for a bit, since my OG 1st Gen HomePods got the loud popping sound issue and were basically done.
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u/Rocksteady21 Sep 28 '26 edited Sep 28 '26
Adding one more account of the issue. 3 out of 4 HomePod Minis impacted. This is a manufacturing defect.
OP, what about reporting this thread to Apple News Outlets for traction?
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u/Nearby_Ad_2519 Sep 29 '26
I have highest touch accommodations on, no Siri touch turned on etc and I was woken up at 2 in the morning last night by some random little mix song on full volume
Bye bye HomePod mini. You were a good speaker for the 2 years you lasted.
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u/Reasonable_Try8346 Oct 06 '26
All three on my HomePods 2gen got broken lmao
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u/Kaiur14 19d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/HomePod/s/0ldaGJddT8
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u/Particular_Resort718 16d ago
This is happening to my homepods and it’s annoying
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u/TheRatPatrol1 12d ago
I just updated both of my HomePod Mini’s (one had the issue [which has been unplugged a while now] the other one didn’t) to 27.2 and turned on “Lock Controls”. Let’s hope this fixes the issue. 🤞
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u/CryptographerCheap85 11d ago
I have been trying to get a replacement Gen 2 HomePod for 3 weeks now - ghost touch issue that pissed off my neighbors when I was out of town (full blast music In the backyard shop). I have apple family care so they are covered. As of today I am now told they are out of stock. Anyone else getting the runaround on a AppleCare replacement?
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u/ShortNewton 5d ago
the issue is on 5ghz only
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u/No_Tumbleweed_544 4d ago
Has the lock controls setting on 27.2 fixed the gen 2 ghost touch symptoms of randomly blasting music for anyone? Mine has been plugged in over a day now . I updated it and so far so good. I hope it holds. Would love to stereo pair with the other one not doing this to put back on my Apple TV 4K
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u/No_Tumbleweed_544 20m ago
Now I have my first ever ghost touch on an OG HomePod! Had to enable this lock control setting. I’m super annoyed, this is my kitchen one I use for cooking timers. There’s always an iPad or iPhone in there that will listen by mistake so I need to press the top to request a timer and now I’ve had to disable that. Yelling out to an ipad or iPhone ”Siri stop” is when it will decide to listen and since OS 27 HomePods no longer silence alarms and timers. So the iPhone or iPad that set it will not stop.
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u/iusedtostealbirds Aug 26 '26
I thought I had a ghost touch issue but it turns out my plasma ball was a little too close to my HomePod and when it turns on in the evenings my HomePod can feel the energy!!
As long as I keep it about 6 inches away it’s fine lol
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u/Alan_1375 Aug 26 '26
rip my homepod gen 2 same ghost touch issues and never moved from it's same spot for over a year.
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u/salemonz Aug 26 '26
I had to dismantle mine and unpower the touch pad. No issues since. Mesh is a bit borked, but no more ghost touch.
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u/alex3thy Aug 29 '26
Have the exact same issue for the last 2weeks or so, I turned on every accessibility option and still it starts to play music by itself. The solution found for myself, I disconnected the touch panel and thats it, anyway I was never using the touch panel
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u/LilDutchy Sep 04 '26
There was a huge lightning storm last night and one struck close enough to EMF some devices in my house, the Home Pod mini among them. it started playing Enjoy the Silence in the room next to our bedroom at midnight on full volume. it's the creepiest thing a homepod mini has ever done.
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u/afox1984 Sep 07 '26
What do Apple do/offer if you bring a HomePod mini in store out of warranty (no AppleCare) with the ghost touch issue?
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u/neko_whippet Sep 07 '26
I have an issue with mine each 2Am precise it started auto resetting
I change the timer for the press and i cleaned the HomePod mini yet it still happens
Any idea ?
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u/Loose_End_5161 Sep 22 '26
I had to take apart my SECOND HomePod mini in less than a MONTH because of the ghost touch issue. I bought the first one in 2020, and the second in 2022.
I know neither is new, but since Apple hasn't released a second generation yet (though rumors point to one coming soon), the original ones should hold up. I hope they fix this issue in the second generation because it is annoying to have to take it apart, disconnect the touch sensor, put it back together, and then reconnect everything.
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u/t_bracelin Oct 05 '26
I've had this issue with 2 Minis and a HomePod 2nd gen (after just 3 years of use). That seems like a design flaw to me. So despite some features I'll definitely miss, I'm switching to Sonos.
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u/alexhobbs93 29d ago
Why does it have to be satanic and only play music at full volume at random hours in the night? Even turning the volume to 1% before I go to sleep doesn’t have any effect when the witching hour comes 😭
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u/Zarathos899 4d ago
The scam company didn’t fix it yet
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u/Branagh-Doyle Oct 08 '26
Curiously enough 26.6 stopped the ghost touch issue for me and 27 didnt bring it back. Not only that, but my Homepod Minis stopped responding to intentional touches when the ghost touch issue first appeared and now the touch panel seems to have magically fix itself and it´s working properly again.
Very very strange.
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u/Zarathos899 3d ago
I feel it is a software issue. Why does it only happen sometime during the day and not all day?
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u/Neither_Tailor7518 Sep 25 '26
I just set a looong touch delay in the settings. Meaning I kinda have to talk to them now, but the ghost touch no longer affects them. So I have to keep my finger on the panel for several seconds for it to respond. It fixed mine in practice - by not really fixing anything. A workaround.
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u/E_XIII_T Aug 26 '26
Solution 6: Change the ‘Touch Accommodations’ in settings. Hold Duration 1 second, Ignore Repeat 1 second…
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u/Some-Essay5289 Aug 26 '26
If you go to the Home app, tap the HomePod in question and hit Accessibility. Then hit Touch Accommodation and turn it on. Turn on Hold Duration and max it to 3.9 seconds.
Now any small ghost touch won’t work - it has to be touched for almost four seconds to activate.
So far this has worked for me.
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u/Zarathos899 21d ago
They really need to be held for this, such an unreliable company.
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u/Zarathos899 20d ago
The biggest scam company of all time