Apple Releases New '3C39' AirPods Max Firmware
Apple today released new 3C39 firmware designed for the AirPods Max, marking the second firmware update the high-end over-ear headphones have received since their December launch.
The new 3C39 firmware replaces the 3C16 launch firmware that was available the day the AirPods Max launched.
Apple does not provide details on what's included in new firmware updates, so we don't know what bug fixes or improvements the new firmware might offer. There have been reports of battery life issues with the AirPods Max, so it's possible that the firmware update addresses that problem.
There's no standard way to upgrade firmware on AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, but connecting the AirPods Max to an iPhone or an iPad while connected to a power source may force the update.
You can check the firmware on your AirPods Max by following these steps:
- Connect your AirPods Max to your iOS device.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Tap About.
- Tap AirPods.
- Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."
In the past, updates for the AirPods Pro and AirPods have included performance improvements, bug fixes, and feature tweaks, so if we find notable changes after installing the firmware updates, we'll update this article.
Popular Stories
Apple today announced it will be permanently closing three retail stores in the U.S. in June, including Apple Trumbull in Trumbull, Connecticut, Apple North County in Escondido, California, and Apple Towson Town Center in Towson, Maryland.
Apple Towson Town Center in Maryland
Apple issued the following statement to MacRumors:At Apple, we are constantly striving to deliver exceptional service...
The all-new MacBook Neo has been such a hit that Apple is facing a "massive dilemma," according to Taiwan-based tech columnist and former Bloomberg reporter Tim Culpan.
In the iPhone 16 Pro models, the A18 Pro chip has a 6-core GPU. During the chip manufacturing process, however, sometimes a CPU or GPU core can turn out to be faulty. Rather than discarding the leftover A18 Pro chips with...
As we wait for WWDC to kick off next Monday, Apple today announced the winners of its annual Apple Design Awards, recognizing apps and games for their innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement.
The 2025 Apple Design Award winners are listed below, with one app and one game selected per category:
Delight and Fun - CapWords (App) and Balatro (Game)
Innovation - Play (App) and PBJ -...
Popular Stories
While the AirPods Max were just updated with an H2 chip, the over-ear headphones could receive another update next year, if a previous rumor is still accurate.
In May 2025, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that he expected lighter-weight AirPods Max to enter mass production in 2027. However, following the AirPods Max 2 announcement this week, it is unclear if Apple's plans have...
AirPods Max 2 will be available for pre-order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app starting this Wednesday, March 25 in the U.S. and more than 30 other countries and territories. Apple said the headphones will launch in early April, but it has yet to provide a specific release date. In the U.S., AirPods Max remain priced at $549.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. ...
Repair site iFixit today shared a teardown of Apple's new AirPods Max 2 headphones, and as expected, there are few changes. iFixit says the AirPods Max 2 are "basically the same" as the original AirPods Max headphones that came out in 2020.
A comparison of the internal components of the AirPods Max 2 and the USB-C AirPods Max indicate the headphones are identical, and opening them up...
