Siri AI on HomePod is not limited to HomePod mini 2 on hardware grounds, because the HomePod (2nd generation) passes the same chip check, according to code in audioOS 27.2. Apple has named only HomePod mini 2 for the assistant and has not said whether the full-sized speaker will follow.
An equivalent check applies to Apple TV 4K, where Apple has already confirmed Siri AI for older Apple TV 4K models. Neither product can switch it on today, and these are code findings that Apple can change before release.
Siri AI on HomePod Needs M10 or Newer, and the HomePod (2nd Generation) Qualifies
pdfu posted the findings on X on October 29. The gate is a SiriMode hardware check that reads the chip generation a device reports, and HomePod needs M10 or newer.
Here’s what’s going on with Siri AI on HomePod and Apple TV, and why HomePod 2 may end up getting it. One of the prerequisites for enabling Siri AI on any device is a SiriMode hardware check through MobileGestalt. The hardware check relies on the device’s reported soc-generation: M10 or newer for HomePod. Here are the soc-generations for each HomePod device: • HomePod (OG): H7 • HomePod mini 1: M9 • HomePod (2nd generation): M10 • HomePod mini 2: M11 HomePod (2nd generation) and HomePod mini 2 pass the gate. However, it seems that Apple may have tested Siri AI on older hardware as well. If a HomePod device fails the generation check, it can qualify based on a defined list of product IDs. In audioOS 27.2, those include both HomePod (OG) and HomePod mini 1. Why does this hardware gate matter? It turns out there’s an equivalent eligibility gate for all products. For Apple TV, it expects soc-generation H11 or newer. Here are the recent Apple TV 4K models: • Apple TV 4K (1st generation): H9 • Apple TV 4K (2nd generation): H11 • Apple TV 4K (3rd generation): H14 • Apple TV 4K (4th generation): H18 Apple has confirmed that access to Siri AI is available on Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) or later. All three currently supported models pass the hardware check. There is no product ID bypass for this gate. If both HomePod 2 and Apple TV 4K pass the hardware gate, why can’t you enable it today? • On Apple TV, the Linwood feature is gated to internal builds, even if the hardware qualifies. Apple says Apple TV 4K (4th generation) gets Siri AI with tvOS 27.2, so we’ll see what ships. • On HomePod, the Linwood feature explicitly returns false. This tracks with Apple’s “will be available later as a free software update” announcement. On both products, there’s a Siri/linwood_override feature flag that can bypass the ordinary Linwood check. As always, these gates may change before release.
— pdfu (@itspdfu) October 29, 2026
The HomePod (2nd generation) reports M10 and HomePod mini 2 reports M11, so both clear the bar. Below it sit the original HomePod at H7 and the first-generation HomePod mini at M9.
A fallback of approved product IDs can still let a speaker through, and audioOS 27.2 approves both the original HomePod and the first-generation HomePod mini. That points to Apple having tested Siri AI on older hardware, though Apple has not announced it for either speaker.
Apple TV 4K Needs an H11 Chip and Every Supported Model Passes
The Apple TV gate expects H11 or newer, so the Apple TV 4K (1st generation) at H9 fails. The Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) reports H11, the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) reports H14 and the Apple TV 4K (4th generation) reports H18, so all three models that run tvOS 27 pass, with no product ID bypass for this gate.
Siri AI is a beta in tvOS 27.2 for the Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and later, which lines up with the hardware gate. It requires the home owner in the Home app to have an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad running the latest software.
Both Devices Still Have Siri AI Switched Off
On Apple TV, the feature the code calls Linwood is gated to internal builds even though the hardware qualifies, and tvOS 27.2 is already out. Apple says the Apple TV 4K (4th generation), which goes on sale November 13, gets Siri AI with tvOS 27.2, and the gate has not opened yet.
On HomePod, the same feature explicitly returns false, which fits Siri AI arriving on HomePod mini 2 later as a free software update. Both products also carry a Siri/linwood_override feature flag that bypasses the ordinary Linwood check.
When Siri AI does reach HomePod mini 2, it launches in English in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Personal requests need a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, while world knowledge and conversation work without one.
