The short version
- In warranty or AppleCare+: you get a replacement HomePod. Yours isn't opened or fixed.
- Out of warranty: you pay a flat service fee for that same replacement. It launched at $279 for the $349 original HomePod, and $79 for the $99 HomePod mini.2,4
- The one real repair: the original HomePod's power cable, $29, mailed to an Apple repair facility. Even that has since disappeared for some owners.1,*
- Your HomePod doesn't come back. It goes into Apple's refurbishment stream, and someone else's reconditioned unit comes out to you.
To check this against more than a handful of stories, I went through every r/HomePod comment from 2017 to 2026 that mentions a Genius Bar, AppleCare, a replacement, a repair fee or a serial number, roughly 11,000 of them. The quotes below are the clearest ones, each linked to the original comment.
What Apple says
When the HomePod launched in February 2018, Apple sent an internal memo to Apple Stores and Authorized Service Providers covering HomePod service. 9to5Mac obtained it. The power cable was the only hardware repair: stores couldn't do it themselves, and eligible units were mailed to Apple's repair facilities for $29. In 9to5Mac's summary of the memo, "For any other hardware issues covered under warranty or AppleCare+ other than the cable, Apple will in most instances perform a whole unit replacement."1
Apple published the out-of-warranty fee the same week: $279 in the US, £268.44 in the UK and AU$399 in Australia, plus $19.95 if Apple has to ship you a box.2,3 On a $349 speaker, that's about 80% of the retail price. When the HomePod mini arrived in 2020, its fee was $79 on a $99 speaker.4
Apple's current HomePod service page is careful with its wording. It offers to "arrange a repair or replacement", and notes that equipment Apple provides "may contain new or previously used genuine Apple parts that have been tested and pass Apple functional requirements."5 With AppleCare, Express Replacement "sends you a replacement product first", and you return your original afterwards.6 Apple's after-service page is plainer still: "If your HomePod was replaced, make note of your new HomePod serial number."7
What the Genius Bar tells people
When CNBC's reporter brought a dead HomePod into an Apple Store in 2023, the tech checked her iPad for options and said:
"We don't repair HomePods in the store. We replace them, we don't repair them."
Owners on r/HomePod heard the same thing for years:
"'Repair' is a misleading term. Apple doesn't ever repair HomePods, they just replace them."
"According to apple store Genius, lack of any port (like USB-C on minis) means the OG Homepods are almost 99% replaced as they don't have any IO to service."
"I took it to the Genius Bar and they told me that can't do anything in store and that I would need to pay the replacement fee for apple to send me a new one since it's 'not repairable' like the Apple Watch and other devices they can't repair."
"If you give us $360 we'll send it away to get it checked out. Hopefully they'll either fix it or give you a refurbished one back."
"Even the staff themselves suggested me not to opt for the $2199 HKD (~$280 USD) replacement... it is merely a $200 HKD (some 25 bucks) difference from the brand new price... I would be much better off getting a new one that comes with 1 year warrantee in contrast to 90 days for the replacement."
"They said that my warranty had just ended and the replacement fee was $99 and that the replacement they give you does not get a new warranty."
"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."
What former Apple staff say
"Outside of iPhones and Macs, Apple doesn't really repair anything - iPads, Apple Watches, HomePods, Beats, AirPods, etc. all just get replaced... It's cheaper for all parties involved to just swap out your HomePod and recycle the old one in one way or another."
"Devices like the HomePod are whole unit swaps and they generally have enough stock for service purposes... Apple still continue to recondition units (brand new exterior, serial number, parts inside can be new or existing ones that are functional)."
"Starts with M: Factory new. Starts with N: Service replacement. Starts with F: Factory Refurb."
How to tell your HomePod was swapped, not repaired
- The serial number changes. Apple's own instructions tell you to write down the new one.7 One owner who was told their HomePod had been repaired found "the one they sent back had a different serial number on it."r1
- It arrives in a plain white box. "A brand new replacement unit in a plain white box... they needed to order the unit."r2 Some of these are new service stock and some are refurbished. Apple doesn't tell you which.
- The paperwork says so. One Express Replacement came with a pamphlet saying Apple "diagnosed my product was not repairable so here's a refurbished HomePod."r3
- The model number starts with N. "It's got a model number starting with N instead of M."r4 That matches the former Genius's breakdown above. How to read it is below.
One exception turned up in the thread history: an owner in 2022 reported getting a unit back with the same serial number and their AppleCare intact.r5 It's the only report like it I found, so treat it as rare.
Decoding HomePod model numbers
A HomePod has two different numbers that both get called the "model number", and they tell you different things. The A-number tells you which HomePod it is. The part number tells you how that particular unit was sold: new, refurbished, or as an Apple replacement.
The A-number: which HomePod it is
The A-number is printed on the bottom of the HomePod with the serial number.17 Every unit of the same HomePod has the same one, whatever its color or history. The identifier is what the software calls it, and it's what shows up in firmware files.
| HomePod | A-number | Identifier | Part numbers by color |
|---|---|---|---|
| HomePod (original, 2018) | A1639 | AudioAccessory1,1 | MQHV2 white MQHW2 space gray |
| HomePod mini (2020) | A2374 | AudioAccessory5,1 | MY5H2 or MHY53 white MY5G2 or MHY43 space gray MJ2C3 or MJ2J3 blue MJ2E3 or MJ2L3 yellow MJ2D3 or MJ2K3 orange MTJT3 or MTJU3 midnight |
| HomePod (2nd gen, 2023) | A2825 | AudioAccessory6,1 | MQJ83, MQJA3, MDEY4 or MDF04 white MQJ73, MQJ93, MDEW4 or MDEX4 midnight |
| HomePod mini 2 (2026) | A3374 | AudioAccessory11,1 | MGHK4 white MGHJ4 midnight MGHM4 blue MGHL4 green MGKR4 pink |
Part numbers per The Apple Wiki.16 Where a color has more than one, they're different production runs or markets of the same speaker. Firmware also lists an AudioAccessory1,2 for the original HomePod, with no published A-number or part number.
The part number: how this unit was sold
The part number is in the Home app: open your HomePod's settings and scroll to the bottom. It's listed below the serial number.17 A full one looks like MQHW2LL/A, and it breaks down into three parts:
| Part | Example | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| First letter | MQHW2LL/A | How the unit entered circulation. See the next table. |
| Middle four | MQHW2LL/A | The product and color, from the table above. QHW2 is an original HomePod in space gray. |
| Before the /A | MQHW2LL/A | The region it was made for. LL is the US and B is the UK.19,20 Other codes vary by product and year.18 |
The first letter is the one that matters for this page:15
| First letter | Meaning | HomePod examples |
|---|---|---|
| M | Sold new at retail. | MQHW2LL/A, an original HomePod in space gray bought new in the US |
| F | Apple Certified Refurbished, sold through Apple's refurbished store. | FQJ73LL/A and FQJ83LL/A, Apple's own refurbished 2nd gen listings19 |
| N | A service replacement Apple handed out in place of someone's original unit. | NQHW2LL/A, a replacement original HomePod from Apple in 2020.r12 NJ2C3LL/A, a replacement for a blue mini that was MJ2C3LL/A, with only the first letter different.r13 |
| P | Personalized, meaning engraved at purchase. | Apple doesn't engrave HomePods, so you shouldn't see this one. |
Apple doesn't publish this lettering scheme for HomePods. It's the same one used across Apple's other products, and it matches what a former Genius described15 and the replacement units owners have reported. An N-prefix number won't turn up in any store listing, which is why owners sometimes think they've found a mystery model. It's just a replacement.r13
What it means if you're buying a used HomePod
- N doesn't mean anything is wrong now. It means Apple swapped the original unit at some point, and this is what came back. Enter the serial number at checkcoverage.apple.com to see its coverage and purchase date.
- Check the region on an original HomePod. Its power cable is fixed and comes with the plug for its region, so a US unit (LL/A) needs an adapter in Europe.r14 The 2nd gen uses a removable figure-8 cable, so this matters much less there.
- The Home app sometimes shows only the first five characters. One owner saw MQJ73 on one speaker and MQJ73LL/A on the other, and the two swapped after a reset.r15 If the region is missing, check the box or look the serial up.
What owners were quoted out of warranty
Apple sets these fees by country and changes them over time, so check Apple's estimator for today's number. These are the figures owners and the press reported:
| Model | Where, when | Quoted | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | US, 2018 launch | $279 | Apple, via 9to5Mac2 |
| Original | UK, 2021 | £212 | MacRumors Forums |
| Original | Hong Kong, 2019 | HK$2,199 | u/5pson |
| Original | Canada, 2021 | CA$350 | u/matsansom |
| Original | Australia, 2022 | AU$399 | u/jace888au |
| Original | US, 2023 | $330 | Apple Community |
| Mini | US, 2020 launch | $79 | Apple, via MacRumors4 |
| Mini | US, 2022 | $99 | u/ecking01 |
| 2nd gen | UK, 2024 | £239 | Kirkville |
| 2nd gen | US, 2026 | $279 | u/Me4aRZ |
Every one of these is the price of a replacement unit, not a repair. The fee doesn't depend on what's actually wrong.
The power cable: the one real repair
The original HomePod's fabric cable looks permanent but pulls out with enough force. Apple called it "built-in", wouldn't sell replacements, and told stores the cable was a $29 repair done at an Apple repair facility, not in store.1 Owners confirmed it at launch:
"I was told that the Genius Bar can do cable replacements, but that it involves sending the HomePod to a repair center, with a $29 fee."
Later owners weren't offered even that:
"Neither Apple nor their authorized repair centres will replace just the cord."
When Apple swaps it for free anyway
Free out-of-warranty replacements happen, but they're exceptions, not a repair program.
- Software that Apple admits bricked units. In October 2019 the HomePod 13.2 update left some units stuck on a spinning light. Apple pulled the update and told affected owners to contact support.9 Out-of-warranty owners needed a "CS" (customer satisfaction) code added to their serial by phone support, then got a replacement "in an unmarked white box".r6
- Escalating to a senior advisor. "If it's out of warranty they will quote you $279 to 'repair' (replace) it. I pleaded with them and got them to replace mine out of warranty for free but I seem to be one of the lucky ones."r7 Another owner was told that if they'd been "only 30 or 60 days out of warranty he would have more flexibility."r8
- Consumer law. Outside the US, statutory warranties are often longer than Apple's one year. In Australia, an 18-month-old HomePod was replaced "under 'consumer law'".r9 In Spain, with three years of coverage, a 2nd gen with ghost touch got a refurbished replacement.r10
The original HomePod today
Apple discontinued the original HomePod in March 2021 and added it to its vintage list in July 2024. For vintage products, Apple and its service providers only offer repairs "for up to two more years, subject to parts availability."10 That window ran out around July 2026. As of Apple's October 14, 2026 update, the HomePod isn't listed in either the vintage or the obsolete section, so the official status is unclear.11 Owners were already being turned away before then: "Apple no longer offers any support for the original HomePod."12
Because every out-of-warranty "repair" was a swap from Apple's stock of original HomePods, the service only lasts as long as that stock does.
HomePod 2 and HomePod mini
The 2nd gen HomePod is much easier to open than the original. iFixit found Apple replaced most of the adhesive with screws, and the power cord is now a standard removable figure-8 cable.13,14 Apple's service process hasn't changed, though. A 2nd gen or a mini with a fault still gets swapped: free under warranty or AppleCare ("they replaced it for free after 2 days"r11), and a flat fee otherwise.
Sources
Apple and press
- HomePod's non-removable cable can be repaired for $29 USD through Apple, 9to5Mac, February 10, 2018
- HomePod repair cost nearly price of new unit, 9to5Mac, February 9, 2018
- Better keep it safe: Apple HomePod repair costs $279, PhoneArena, February 2018
- HomePod Mini Repair Fee is Only $20 Cheaper Than Buying a New One, MacRumors, November 11, 2020
- Apple Service and Repair for HomePod, Apple Support
- Use Express Replacement Service for your HomePod or HomePod mini, Apple Support
- Use your HomePod after a service, Apple Support
- My HomePod is now a very expensive doorstop, CNBC, August 18, 2023
- Apple Pulls 13.2 Update After It Bricks HomePods, HotHardware, October 2019
- Apple adds HomePod, AirPods to the 'vintage products' list, AppleInsider, July 1, 2024
- Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty, Apple Support, updated October 14, 2026
- OG HomePods Fail, and Apple Won't Fix Them, Kirkville
- iFixit Tears Down Second-Generation HomePod, MacRumors, February 9, 2023
- HomePod 2 ... power cable easily swappable, 9to5Mac, January 31, 2023
- How to Check if iPhone is New, Refurbished, or Replacement, OS X Daily via Kirkville (M, F, N and P prefixes)
- Models/HomePod, The Apple Wiki (A-numbers, identifiers and part numbers)
- How to Know Which HomePod Model You Own, iPhone Life (where to find each number)
- Model Regions, The Apple Wiki (region codes)
- Refurbished HomePod (2nd Gen), Midnight: FQJ73LL/A, Apple Store
- HomePod, Space Grey: MQHW2B/A, Apple Store UK
r/HomePod comments
- u/BGrouchy, October 2021: told it was repaired, got a different serial
- u/Cormeister616, October 2022: replacement in a plain white box, ordered by the store
- u/Prof_Redd1t, November 2019: "not repairable" pamphlet in an Express Replacement
- u/TechDude_54321, November 2022: replacement model number starts with N
- u/thegayestwolf1, March 2022: same serial number came back
- u/TorchedPoseidon, October 2019: 13.2 replacements and CS codes
- u/lukelmiller, October 2021: free swap after pleading
- u/Rude_Citron9016, August 2021: senior advisor's 30 to 60 day flexibility
- u/md3372, December 2021: Australian consumer law replacement
- u/RGG2000, August 2026: Spain, refurbished swap for ghost touch
- u/Alan_1375, November 2025: 2nd gen ghost touch swapped free
- u/lightsd, November 2020: replacement from Apple with part number NQHW2LL/A
- u/rgsteele, October 2023: NJ2C3LL/A replacement for an MJ2C3LL/A mini, in a thread about a "special model" that turned out to be a replacement
- u/FredrikTT, January 2022: US-plug original HomePods sold as used in Europe
- u/cszetela, March 2023: Home app showing MQJ73 on one speaker and MQJ73LL/A on the other
Quotes are copied as written, including spelling. Comment dates are when they were posted. Last checked October 16, 2026.