AirPods Max Firmware Update Appears to Fix Smart Case Battery Drain Issues

Apple on Tuesday released new 3C39 firmware for the AirPods Max, and there was speculation that the new software was meant to address a battery life problem that users had been experiencing. Some ‌AirPods Max‌ headphones were seeing excessive battery drain while in the Smart Case, and now there's evidence that the update does indeed fix the problem.

airpods max firmware update
Developer Guilherme Rambo tested ‌AirPods Max‌ battery drain before and after the firmware update to see how much battery life was being lost while the ‌AirPods Max‌ were in the Smart Case. Battery drain was measured in half hour intervals, and as the charts show, the ‌AirPods Max‌ lost more battery life in the Smart Case prior to the firmware update.


In addition to Rambo's testing, there are also anecdotal reports on the MacRumors forums that suggest the ‌AirPods Max‌ are no longer losing large amounts of battery life in the case overnight. From MacRumors reader F23:

Updated yesterday. 24 hours later, they did NOT lose a single percent. Still at 97% after 24 hours in the case. On previous software version i would lose 10%+ overnight consistently.

Other MacRumors readers have noted improvements to automatic switching when using the ‌AirPods Max‌, and a fix for a bug that could sometimes cause them to disconnect between devices. From MacRumors reader TechKris:

I can report a 6% battery drop with the new FW after about 8h overnight placed in the case. Automatic switching between M1 MacBook Air and iPhone seems to be much better now. It was unusable before and just had in manual on the Mac.

According to 9to5Mac, the firmware update appears to put the ‌AirPods Max‌ into an ultralow power mode after 30 minutes. Prior to the firmware update, ‌AirPods Max‌ would go into a low power mode when placed in the case, and an ultralow power mode after 18 hours. If this is the case, though, Apple has yet to update its support document to reflect the charging changes.

There's no clear cut way to update firmware for the ‌AirPods Max‌ like there is for devices like the iPhone, but connecting the ‌AirPods Max‌ to a power source and then listening to music for a few seconds to connect them to an ‌iPhone‌ or iPad typically forces the update.

You can check the firmware on your ‌AirPods Max‌ by following these steps:

  1. Connect your ‌‌AirPods Max‌‌‌ to your iOS device.
  2. Open the Settings app.
  3. Tap General.
  4. Tap About.
  5. Tap ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.
  6. Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."

Have you noticed better battery life since upgrading to the 3C39 firmware? Let us know in the comments.

Related Roundup: AirPods Max
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

thejadedmonkey Avatar
56 months ago

It's really too bad you can't simply turn them off when not in use.
Apple should invent a power control device using some form of toggle.

It'd take some serious courage to create something so innovative.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mascots Avatar
56 months ago

It's really too bad you can't simply turn them off when not in use.
While there have been issues with the power management occurring for some people, I really haven't had any issue with the lack of power button: nothing has been more delightful than just putting them on and setting them down without having to worry about whether I am "done" with them or not.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EvilEvil Avatar
56 months ago
It's really too bad you can't simply turn them off when not in use.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TrueBlou Avatar
56 months ago

Do you own a pair?
I don't yet (they're ordered), but I don't see a reason I would want that from what I've read or seen from my the pair my partner has.
It’s initially a bit odd, when you’ve been used to decades of wireless cans having a power button. But you get used to the idea quickly, it’s nice just being able to plonk them on your head and have them instantly connect to whatever device is playing music/film/whatever.

I’ve got to the point where I wish all of my wireless cans worked that way. It’s more like having a good old wired pair (without having to connect them of course).

I know people have, and will, complain about the battery life. But I’ve yet to see the problem.

I’m on day 3 since I last fully charged them, I’ve gone through god knows how many hours of listening and since that last full charge, they haven’t been back in the case. When I’ve finished with them, they get placed on the coffee table, or bedside table until the next day.

Right now, they’re at 62% battery. Which for the amount of listening I’ve done and them not going near the case, is pretty damn good in my opinion. Power switch? An archaic notion, vive la revolution :D
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fozziebear71 Avatar
56 months ago

Somebody give me three reasons why I should get AirPods Max?
Why?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
56 months ago

Apple should invent a power control device using some form of toggle.

It'd take some serious courage to create something so innovative.
They shut off when the magnets in the Smart Case get near the Hall effect sensor in the Maxs.

I wonder how long before somebody sells a magnet as a "wireless" off switch.



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Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)