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

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

by

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

Popular Stories

Sony WF 1000XM6 vs AirPods Pro 3 Thumb 2

AirPods Pro 3 vs. Sony WF-1000XM6: Which Flagship Earbuds Should You Buy?

Tuesday April 21, 2026 9:44 am PDT by
Sony refreshed its earbuds earlier this year, introducing the $330 WF-1000XM6 earbuds to compete with the $249 AirPods Pro 3 that came out last September. We compared Sony's new earbuds with Apple's latest model to see which is better. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Sony's XM6 earbuds are smaller than the AirPods Pro 3 because there's no stem, but the in-ear fit...
Read Full Article • 32 comments
airpods pro 3 glitter blue

What to Expect From the Next AirPods Pro, Launching as Soon as This Year

Wednesday April 22, 2026 2:34 pm PDT by
Apple is working on a new version of the AirPods Pro, which could come as soon as this year. The AirPods are expected to be a variant of the current AirPods Pro, which suggests they won't be called the AirPods Pro 4. Cameras Multiple sources have said Apple is developing AirPods Pro that have tiny infrared cameras. The cameras won't be used to take photos or videos like an iPhone camera,...
Read Full Article • 55 comments
M5 Vision Pro Thumb 2

Apple Has Given Up on the Vision Pro After M5 Refresh Flop

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:31 am PDT by
Apple has all but given up on the Vision Pro after the M5 model failed to revitalize interest in the device, MacRumors has learned. Apple updated the Vision Pro with a faster M5 chip and a more comfortable band in October 2025, but there were no other hardware changes, and consumers still weren't interested. The Vision Pro has been criticized for its high price tag and its uncomfortable...
Read Full Article • 448 comments

Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger Avatar
AngerDanger
60 months ago

Looks like a futuristic pulse weapon
You read my mind.



Attachment Image
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maxfromdenmark Avatar
maxfromdenmark
60 months ago
Cool! But I’m still trying to upgrade firmware and nothing happens.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ksujoel Avatar
ksujoel
60 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
Johnny907
60 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)
M
mattster16
60 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
ccraig13
60 months ago
Looks like a futuristic pulse weapon
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments