Second AirPods Pro Firmware Beta Adds Conversation Boost

by

Apple in July began providing developers with access to a beta version of the AirPods Pro firmware to test new features ahead of their release. Last Friday, Apple released a second version of the AirPods Pro firmware (4A362b), but it went under the radar until today when it was shared on Reddit.

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware
According to Apple's developer website, the second AirPods Pro firmware update adds support for Conversation Boost, a feature that was missing from the first beta.

Conversation Boost is an iOS 15 feature that uses the beamforming microphones in the AirPods Pro to boost the volume level of conversations, which is ideal for those with mild to moderate hearing challenges.

The initial AirPods Pro firmware beta added support for FaceTime Spatial Audio and Ambient Noise Reduction, two other AirPods Pro features that are coming in the iOS 15 update.

Only registered developers are able to install the AirPods Pro firmware, and the installation process is rather complicated and requires Xcode. We have a walkthrough on installing the profile for the beta, but as with all over-the-air firmware updates, it takes some time for new software to be seeded to users.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

Apple Creator Studio

Apple Introduces New 'Creator Studio' Bundle of Apps for $129 Per Year

Tuesday January 13, 2026 6:11 am PST by
Apple today introduced a new Apple Creator Studio bundle that offers access to six creative apps, as well as exclusive AI features and content, as part of a single subscription. In the U.S., pricing is set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. Here are the six apps included with an Apple Creator Studio subscription:Final Cut Pro on the Mac and iPad Logic Pro on the Mac and iPad Pixelmator...
Read Full Article • 407 comments
Verizon New

Verizon is Down: iPhones Show 'SOS' Mode Due to Network Outage [Resolved]

Wednesday January 14, 2026 10:18 am PST by
Verizon is experiencing a major outage across the U.S. today, with hundreds of thousands of customers reporting issues with the network on the website Downdetector. There are also complaints across Reddit and other social media platforms. iPhone users and others with Verizon service are generally unable to make phone calls, send text messages, or use data over 5G or LTE due to the outage....
Read Full Article • 142 comments
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

New Leak Reveals iPhone 18 Pro Display Sizes, Under-Screen Face ID, and More

Wednesday January 14, 2026 7:09 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around eight months away, a leaker has shared some alleged details about the devices. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo this week, the account Digital Chat Station said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Consistent with previous...
Read Full Article • 59 comments
iOS 26

Here's What's New in iOS 26.3 So Far

Monday January 12, 2026 1:15 pm PST by
Apple today seeded the second beta of iOS 26.3, nearly a month after the first beta. So far, the update includes a couple of new features for iPhones. iOS 15.3 through iOS 18.3 were all released in late January over the years, so it is thereby likely that iOS 26.3 will be released towards the end of this month as well. The update is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. Below,...
Read Full Article • 47 comments
airpods pro 3 design

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 3 Firmware Update

Tuesday January 13, 2026 11:29 am PST by
Apple today released a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 3. The latest firmware has a version number of 8B34, up from the previous version 8B30. Apple has a support document for AirPods firmware updates, and it indicates that the 8B34 update contains unspecified "bug fixes and other improvements." No other AirPods models received firmware updates today. How to install AirPods Pro...
Read Full Article • 55 comments

Top Rated Comments

Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
Apple Knowledge Navigator
58 months ago
I can barely hear my family talk* let alone the TV, so this will come in handy

*this actually comes in handy sometimes and provides excellent excuses
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mousse Avatar
Mousse
58 months ago
If it works with TV dialogues as well, then I'm interested. No more turn up the volume to hear what the actors are saying only to be deafen by the F/X sound. I got tired of having to volume up volume down, so I just turn the volume down to where the F/X isn't unbearable and read the captioning.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmgregory1 Avatar
jmgregory1
58 months ago

I'm an old fart and know my hearing is not what it once was. I've also developed some tinnitus. I'm fine with normal conversations or watching TV in reasonably quiet environments. I notice it most in environments where there are a lot of competing sounds, like sitting with a group of folks in a noisy restaurant. I'll be very interested to try see how well this works.
I’m right there with you on the challenged hearing, tinnitus and old fart status. I’m not sure that I’ll remember to bring my APP’s with me when my wife and I go out the next time, but I’ll give it a shot to see if it helps. Of course more people will be talking about why you’re wearing APP’s while you’re socializing.

I chalk up my hearing loss, along with my several broken molars, to my college days of living with a rock band and opening up too many bottles of beer with my teeth. We used the band’s loud speakers as part of our stereo, which seemed like a good idea back then. We even were scientific about how loud it was, measuring the fact that we could hear the stereo 2 miles from the apartment when the windows were open. We were such idiots…

So all you kids (16-25 year olds) on here, don’t do these stupid things, because you will grow old and have hearing problems and teeth problems if you are dumb enough to open beer bottles with them.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
augustrushrox Avatar
augustrushrox
58 months ago
The update process for AirPods has somehow always been just so randomly activated and incongruous with most other updateable Apple products. Even the Developer update process for AirPods is way more tedious than it needs to be. Apple really should just add a way to update AirPods from within the iOS Settings app.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gluckett Avatar
gluckett
58 months ago

The update process for AirPods has somehow always been just so randomly activated and incongruous with most other updateable Apple products. Even the Developer update process for AirPods is way more tedious than it needs to be. Apple really should just add a way to update AirPods from within the iOS Settings app.
While it's not as simple as just telling it to update the firmware, Apple support finally gave me a set of steps that has worked every time for me so far.

- Listen to music or other audio for at least 30 seconds
- Put them back in the case and close the lid
- Connect the case to the charger
- Wait 30 minutes - do not open the case during this time, otherwise it starts all over again
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4jasontv Avatar
4jasontv
58 months ago

Too bad Apple insists on only making them bright white. More subtle options would be way better. But of course Apple mostly cares about its brand, not always user needs.
I don’t understand this thinking. They are iconic headphones not hearing aids. The fact that they invested time and money to include these features suggests they do care about user needs. Not just user needs but niche user needs.

Besides, these are more invisible than traditional hearing aids because most people would see them and think they are just headphones.

I’m not against other colors, but I can’t see Apple ever releasing another beige product. That said, they make vinyl wraps for AirPods that look good. I’m sure someone makes skin color wraps.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments