Learn how to replace AirPods firmware: All it’s essential to know

There’s no direct method to replace your AirPods firmware. When Apple updates the software program for the wi-fi earbuds — because it did Thursday for AirPods Professional 2 and different fashions — it occurs mechanically, within the background. Nevertheless, there’s a method to velocity up the AirPods replace course of. Plus, it’s a good suggestion to manually test you’re operating the most recent model, which brings bug fixes and typically nice new options.

Apple launched firmware replace 7B19 for AirPods Professional 2 to convey the promised listening to aids performance to the earbuds. And several other different AirPods variations obtained a easy “bug repair” replace. You may get extra particulars, and discover all present AirPods firmware variations under, together with suggestions for getting the AirPods replace as rapidly as doable

Right here’s the best way to test in case your AirPods are operating the most recent 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 power AirPods’ firmware to replace.

Learn how to replace AirPods firmware

Apple periodically brings out new AirPods firmware with enhancements and bug fixes. It’s properly price putting in these updates as a result of they repair bugs and typically comprise important new options. There’s no higher instance than the firmware AirPods Professional 2 simply acquired, because it expands the capabilities of the earbuds past leisure and into medical-grade listening to aids. 

Apple usually doesn’t trouble to announce AirPods firmware updates. Nevertheless, the corporate does publish launch notes so customers know what’s modified. Firmware updates are carried out mechanically when your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth vary of an iPhone, iPad or Mac that’s linked to Wi-Fi.

Desk of contents: Learn how to replace AirPods firmware

What’s the newest AirPods firmware?

• AirPods (4th era): 7A304
• AirPods (4th era) with Lively Noise Cancellation: 7A304
• AirPods (3nd era): 6F21
• AirPods (2nd era): 6F21
• AirPods (1st era): 6.8.8

Each variants of the brand new AirPods 4 moved to 7A304 with bug fixes shortly after the wi-fi earbuds launched. On Thursday, AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 obtained an improve to firmware model 6F21 that provides “Bug fixes and different enhancements.” AirPods 1 firmware hasn’t been up to date in years.

What’s the newest AirPods Professional firmware?

• AirPods Professional (2nd era) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C): 7B19
• AirPods Professional (2nd era) with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning): 7B19
• AirPods Professional (1st era): 6F21

Each variations of AirPods Professional 2 are actually on firmware model 7A305.  The discharge notes for the brand new firmware spell out the very important adjustments:

• When used with an iPhone or iPad operating iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 or later, AirPods Professional 2 with firmware replace 7B19 allow three new options—a Listening to Check, Listening to Help, and Listening to Safety.
• The Apple Listening to Check characteristic supplies scientifically-validated listening to check outcomes from the consolation of house (meant for customers 18 years or older).
• The Listening to Help characteristic supplies personalised, clinical-grade help that’s mechanically utilized to sounds in your setting in addition to music, movies, and calls (meant for customers 18 years or older with perceived gentle to average listening to loss)
• The Listening to Safety characteristic helps customers decrease publicity to loud environmental noise throughout listening modes (accessible in the US and Canada)

As famous, benefiting from the brand new options requires iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, however these will exit Monday, October 25.

Unique AirPods Professional obtained an improve on Thursday to firmware model 6F21 that provides “Bug fixes and different enhancements.”

And what’s the newest AirPods Max firmware?

• AirPods Max (USB-C): 7A291
• AirPods Max: 6F21

AirPods Max (USB-C) debuted with ZA291. The unique model obtained an improve on Thursday to firmware model 6F21 that provides “Bug fixes and different enhancements.”

Learn how to test your present firmware model on iPhone or iPad

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

1. Join your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad

Begin by establishing an energetic 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 linked, your AirPods ought to be proper on the prime of settings, slightly below your Apple ID settings. Faucet the identify of your AirPods, and on the following display screen scroll nearly 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 7A304 or 6F21. The identical is true for first-gen AirPods Professional. The newest AirPods Professional ought to learn 7B19, and so forth. See the chart above.

3. Alternatively, go to Settings -> Bluetooth

One other method to test AirPods firmware is to go to Settings -> Bluetooth and look below My Gadgets for the identify of your AirPods. Faucet within the blue ⓘ icon — it’s an i with a circle round it subsequent to the identify.  On the ensuing web page, search for Model. Once more, the most recent model for many AirPods is 7A304 or 6F21, whereas the newer AirPods Professional are on 7B19. You can also test Apple’s listing of present firmware variations.

Learn how to (type of) power an replace

In case your AirPods firmware isn’t present, you’ll be able to velocity up the replace course of. Form of. Sadly, you’ll be able to’t push a button or toggle a setting to inform your AirPods to replace. The very 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 you probably have a wi-fi charging case, put your AirPods on a wi-fi charger.

Then make sure that 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 probably take as much as half-hour. Be affected person!

There are theories on the best way to get a sooner 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 drawback just for individuals who get antsy about controlling firmware updates, and who need the most recent as quickly as they will get it. For everybody else, simply hold utilizing your AirPods. The replace will occur with out you having to do a factor.

Learn how to test AirPods’ present firmware model on Mac

You can also test your AirPods firmware on a Mac. Your Mac will must be operating 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 listing and choose the blue ⓘ icon (an i with a circle round it subsequent to the identify). Ensure that your AirPods are linked 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 identify.)

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 listing 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’ll be able to put the opposite finish of the charging cable into your Mac. The firmware ought to replace itself. Once more, it usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, however may take longer. In case your AirPods got here with a wi-fi charging case, you’ll be able to put them on a wi-fi charger.

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

Although you’ll be able to join your AirPods to an Android system or a Home windows pc, you can not replace the firmware on Android or Home windows. You’ll be able to solely replace AirPods firmware on iOS, iPadOS and macOS. There’s at the moment no third-party software program that may do an AirPods firmware replace.

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