How one can replace AirPods firmware: All it’s worthwhile to know

There’s no direct option to replace your AirPods firmware. When Apple updates the software program for the wi-fi earbuds — because it did Tuesday for AirPods Professional 2 — it occurs routinely, within the background. Nonetheless, there’s a option to pace up the AirPods replace course of. Plus, it’s a good suggestion to manually test you’re working the newest model, which brings bug fixes and typically nice new options.

Apple simply launched firmware replace 7A294 for AirPods Professional 2 that features signifiant new options. Set up it and you’ll nod your head to reply to Siri, your voice calls must be clearer, and there are different enhancements. You will get extra particulars, and discover all present AirPods firmware variations beneath, together with ideas for getting the AirPods replace as shortly as doable

Right here’s the right way to test in case your AirPods are working the newest firmware on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Plus what to do in the event that they aren’t, and what you are able to do to drive AirPods’ firmware to replace.

How one can replace AirPods firmware

Apple periodically brings out new firmware with enhancements and bug fixes. It’s nicely price putting in these updates as a result of they repair bugs and typically include important new options. There’s no higher instance than Tuesday’s 7A294 firmware replace for AirPods Professional 2.

Apple sometimes doesn’t hassle to announce AirPods updates. Nonetheless, the corporate does publish launch notes so customers know what’s modified. Firmware updates are carried out routinely when your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth vary of an iPhone, iPad or Mac that’s related to Wi-Fi.

Desk of contents: How one can replace AirPods firmware

What’s the newest AirPods firmware?

• AirPods (third technology): 6A326
• AirPods (2nd technology): 6A326
• AirPods (1st technology): 6.8.8

AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 received an improve to firmware model 6A326 in June 2024, changing 6A321 from January. AirPods 1 firmware hasn’t been up to date in years.

What’s the newest AirPods Professional firmware?

• AirPods Professional (2nd technology) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C): 7A294
• AirPods Professional (2nd technology) with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning): 7A294
• AirPods Professional (1st technology): 6A326

Each variations of AirPods Professional 2 at the moment are on firmware model 7A294, changing 6F8.  The discharge notes for the brand new firmware spell out the numerous modifications: 

“When used with an iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and watchOS 11-supported iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, AirPods Professional 2 firmware replace 7A294 makes the hands-free expertise much more seamless by having the ability to nod your head “sure” or shake your head “no” to reply to Siri bulletins like calls, messages, and notifications. This replace additionally provides Voice Isolation to calls with AirPods Professional 2 to assist make sure you come throughout clearly by eradicating background noise round you for whoever you’re talking to. Avid gamers additionally now have one of the best wi-fi audio latency Apple has ever delivered for cell gaming and may take pleasure in improved voice high quality, together with 16-bit, 48kHz audio, when chatting with teammates and different gamers. As well as, this replace consists of efficiency enhancements to Personalised Quantity with AirPods Professional 2.”

Authentic AirPods Professional received an improve to firmware model 6A326 in June 2024.

And what’s the newest AirPods Max firmware?

AirPods Max received an improve to firmware model 6A326 in June 2024.

How one can test your present firmware model on iPhone or iPad

It’s fairly straightforward to shortly test in case your AirPods are updated in iOS and iPadOS.

1. Join your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad

Begin by establishing an lively connection to your AirPods by opening the lid of the charging case. Or put the earbuds on, whichever you favor.

2. Go to Settings

Open the Settings app in your iPhone or iPad. When related, your AirPods must be proper on the high of settings, slightly below your Apple ID settings. Faucet the title of your AirPods, and on the following display screen scroll virtually to the underside the place you’ll see Model, which lists the present firmware quantity.

For a lot of AirPods fashions, search for Model to say 6A326. The identical is true for first-gen AirPods Professional. The most recent AirPods Professional ought to learn 7A294, and so forth. See the chart above.

3. Alternatively, go to Settings -> Bluetooth

One other option to test AirPods firmware is to go to Settings -> Bluetooth and look beneath My Gadgets for the title of your AirPods. Faucet within the blue ⓘ icon — it’s an i with a circle round it subsequent to the title.  On the ensuing web page, search for Model. Once more, the newest model for many AirPods is 6A326, whereas the newer AirPods Professional are on 7A294. You can also test Apple’s checklist of present firmware variations.

How one can (sort of) drive an replace

In case your AirPods firmware isn’t present, you possibly can pace up the replace course of. Kind of. Sadly, you possibly can’t push a button or toggle a setting to inform your AirPods to replace. One of the best you are able to do is put your AirPods of their case and plug the case into an influence cable (Lightning or USB-C). Similar factor for AirPods Max: Simply plug the headphones right into a charging cable. Or when you have a wi-fi charging case, put your AirPods on a wi-fi charger.

Then be certain the iPhone or iPad they’re paired with is shut by, and wait. The firmware ought to replace. Sometimes, the method takes 5 to 10 minutes, however it will possibly take as much as half-hour. Be affected person!

There are theories on the right way to get a quicker replace, like plugging the AirPods case right into a Mac, however none of those have ever been definitively confirmed to work any faster. Realistically, this can be a downside just for individuals who get antsy about controlling firmware updates, and who need the newest as quickly as they’ll get it. For everybody else, simply preserve utilizing your AirPods. The replace will occur with out you having to do a factor.

How one can test AirPods’ present firmware model on Mac

You can also test your AirPods firmware on a Mac. Your Mac will should be working macOS Ventura or later.

1. Go to System Settings

Click on the Apple menu icon within the higher left nook of your Mac’s display screen, and choose System Settings.

2. Choose Bluetooth

Click on Bluetooth within the left-hand sidebar. Then discover your AirPods within the My Gadgets checklist and choose the blue ⓘ icon (an i with a circle round it subsequent to the title). Ensure that your AirPods are related to your Mac. It ought to say Related. (If not, open the lid of the AirPods case, or choose Join subsequent to the earbuds’ system title.)

3. Examine the firmware model

After clicking in your AirPods, a popup will present details about them, together with the firmware quantity subsequent to Model. Examine it in opposition to the firmware numbers listed above, or in opposition to Apple’s checklist of present AirPod firmware updates.

4. Pressure an replace

If the firmware model isn’t updated, pop your AirPods into their case, and plug them right into a charging cable. You may put the opposite finish of the charging cable into your Mac. The firmware ought to replace itself. Once more, it sometimes takes 5 to 10 minutes, however may take longer. In case your AirPods got here with a wi-fi charging case, you possibly can put them on a wi-fi charger.

Are you able to replace AirPods firmware on Android or Home windows?

Though you possibly can join your AirPods to an Android system or a Home windows pc, you can’t replace the firmware on Android or Home windows. You may solely replace AirPods firmware on iOS, iPadOS and macOS. There may be at present no third-party software program that may do an AirPods firmware replace.

Editor’s be aware: We initially revealed this submit on the right way to replace AirPods firmware on November 14, 2019. We refresh it periodically with successive new AirPods firmware variations. Leander Kahney contributed to this submit.