New AirPods Pro Firmware Enables Conversation Boost, Here's How to Turn It On

Apple on Tuesday released firmware version 4A400 for the second-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. On the AirPods Pro, the update enables a new Conversation Boost feature that Apple previewed at WWDC earlier this year.

airpods pro conversation boost
Apple says Conversation Boost is designed to help people with mild hearing challenges stay more connected in conversations. The feature uses the AirPods Pro's beam-forming microphones to boost the volume of a person talking in front of you, making it easier to listen to a face-to-face conversation, and there is also an option to reduce ambient noise.

How to Turn On Conversation Boost

To turn on Conversation Boost, the AirPods Pro must be updated to firmware version 4A400. AirPods Pro firmware updates are installed over the air, but there is no manual way to force an update. In general, AirPods Pro connected to an iPhone or iPad should automatically update to the latest firmware version after a fairly short period of time. It may help to keep the AirPods Pro in their charging case and connected to a power source.

You can check your ‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌ firmware by following these steps:

  • Connect your ‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌ to your iOS device.
  • Open the Settings app.
  • Tap on General.
  • Tap on About.
  • Tap ‌‌‌‌‌on AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.
  • Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."

airpods pro conversation boost 1
Once the AirPods Pro are updated, Conversation Boost can be turned on by following these steps on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 15 or iPadOS 15:

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Tap on Accessibility.
  • Tap on Audio/Visual.
  • Tap on Headphone Accommodations.
  • Scroll down and tap on Transparency Mode.
  • Toggle on Conversation Boost.

The new firmware also adds Find My network integration for the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

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

Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger Avatar
33 months ago

Looks like a futuristic pulse weapon
You read my mind.



Attachment Image
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maxfromdenmark Avatar
33 months ago
Cool! But I’m still trying to upgrade firmware and nothing happens.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ksujoel Avatar
33 months ago

There was that article yesterday about banks being worried about Apple as they took over music players, GPS devices and cameras. Now hearing aid manufacturers are on notice!

I wonder what the price comparison between a hearing aid and AirPods is?
I wear hearing aids. I am completely deaf in my right ear and halfway deaf in my left. I wear a BiCros system that allows the hearing aid in my right ear to act like a receiver and transmits sounds that come from that side over to my left side, so I'm not always turning my head. I got this system a little over 2 years ago and it cost me nearly $3,800. I don't know what I would do without my hearing aids. I doubt the AirPods would be strong enough for what I would need, though. I love that the AirPods have this capability for those with mild hearing loss.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Johnny907 Avatar
33 months ago
Spent 30 minutes last night trying to get my Pro's to upgrade. On the charger, off the charger, in the case out of the case, unpair-repair. Power cycled the phone, connected to my watch, connected to my Macbook, nothing.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mattster16 Avatar
33 months ago

There was that article yesterday about banks being worried about Apple as they took over music players, GPS devices and cameras. Now hearing aid manufacturers are on notice!

I wonder what the price comparison between a hearing aid and AirPods is?
Hearing aids are extremely expensive and not covered by most insurance (including Medicare). They are prohibitively expensive for many people.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ccraig13 Avatar
33 months ago
Looks like a futuristic pulse weapon
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 15 Pro FineWoven

Apple Reportedly Stops Production of FineWoven Accessories

Sunday April 21, 2024 6:03 am PDT by
Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories, according to the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami." In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kosutami explained that Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories due to its poor durability. The company may move to another non-leather material for its premium accessories in the future. Kosutami has revealed...
Provenance Emulator

PlayStation and SEGA Emulator for iPhone and Apple TV Coming to App Store [Updated]

Friday April 19, 2024 8:29 am PDT by
The lead developer of the multi-emulator app Provenance has told iMore that his team is working towards releasing the app on the App Store, but he did not provide a timeframe. Provenance is a frontend for many existing emulators, and it would allow iPhone and Apple TV users to emulate games released for a wide variety of classic game consoles, including the original PlayStation, GameCube, Wii,...
iOS 17 All New Features Thumb

iOS 17.5 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday April 21, 2024 3:00 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 17.5 update for the iPhone includes only a few new user-facing features, but hidden code changes reveal some additional possibilities. Below, we have recapped everything new in the iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 beta so far. Web Distribution Starting with the second beta of iOS 17.5, eligible developers are able to distribute their iOS apps to iPhone users located in the EU...
apple vision pro orange

Apple Vision Pro Customer Interest Dying Down at Some Retail Stores

Monday April 22, 2024 2:12 am PDT by
Apple Vision Pro, Apple's $3,500 spatial computing device, appears to be following a pattern familiar to the AR/VR headset industry – initial enthusiasm giving way to a significant dip in sustained interest and usage. Since its debut in the U.S. in February 2024, excitement for the Apple Vision Pro has noticeably cooled, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On...
top stories 20apr2024

Top Stories: Nintendo Emulators on App Store, Two New iOS 17 Features, and More

Saturday April 20, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
It was a big week for retro gaming fans, as iPhone users are starting to reap the rewards of Apple's recent change to allow retro game emulators on the App Store. This week also saw a new iOS 17.5 beta that will support web-based app distribution in the EU, the debut of the first hotels to allow for direct AirPlay streaming to room TVs, a fresh rumor about the impending iPad Air update, and...