As Apple prepares for a major AirPods Pro update later this fall, the company has released a new firmware version for several of its earbuds and headphones.
If you own the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, AirPods (2 and 3), Beats Fit Pro, or Powerbeats Pro, Apple has a firmware update ready for you.
Although the company only mentions “bug fixes and other improvements,” there’s always a chance these updates contain more, such as ANC improvements, better sound quality, or something to make phone calls sound better. Interestingly, Apple is updating most of its audio products with a dedicated audio chip, which is why it includes Beats Fit Pro and Powerbeats Pro.
How to update AirPods firmware
Image source: José Adorno for BGR
There isn’t an official method to update your AirPods firmware. Since Apple says the new versions install when AirPods are connected via Bluetooth to your iPhone, the best option is to let both devices charge together for at least 30 minutes.
Tech. Entertainment. Science. Your inbox.
Sign up for the most interesting tech & entertainment news out there.
By signing up, I agree to the Terms of Use and have reviewed the Privacy Notice.
To check your AirPods firmware version, you need to open the Settings app, open the Bluetooth menu, find your AirPods or Beats earbuds, and tap the “i” next to them to see the current version number.
If this process doesn’t work, you’ll have to wait until they update on their own, as Apple doesn’t let you manually install these firmware updates.
That said, if you have the following AirPods or Beats products, this is the latest firmware:
- AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C): 6F8
- AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning): 6F8
- Powerbeats Pro: 6F8
- Beats Fit Pro: 6F8
- AirPods Pro (1st generation): 6A326
- AirPods (3rd generation): 6A326
- AirPods (2nd generation): 6A326
- AirPods Max: 6A326
New AirPods Pro 2 features coming later this year
Image source: José Adorno for BGR
Later this year, AirPods Pro 2 will get the following features:
- Siri Interactions: This feature lets you interact with phone calls, messages, notifications, and more by simply nodding or shaking your head.
- Voice Isolation: This feature is making the jump from the iPhone, iPad, and Mac directly to the AirPods Pro. Machine learning, running on the H2 chip in AirPods Pro and the paired iPhone, iPad, or Mac, isolates and enhances voice quality while removing significant background noise for the listener.
- Personalized Spatial Audio for games: When using AirPods Pro, gamers will now have the best wireless audio latency Apple has ever delivered for mobile gaming. AirPods Pro users can also enjoy improved voice quality, including 16-bit and 48kHz audio, when chatting with teammates and other players.
- Custom Adaptive Audio: Once this feature is released, users can ask Siri to “remove more noise” or “remove less noise,” which makes Adaptive Audio more customizable for your everyday usage.
BGR will let you know if we find anything new with this AirPods firmware update.