Apple Updates AirPods Pro Firmware to Version 4A402 and AirPods 3 Firmware to 4B66

Tuesday November 16, 2021 10:34 am PST by Juli Clover

Apple today released a new 4A402 firmware update for the AirPods Pro, which is up from the prior 4A400 firmware that was released back in October. Apple has also updated the AirPods 3 firmware to 4B66, up from the 4B61 that was previously available.

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature
Apple does not offer information on what's included in refreshed firmware updates for the AirPods‌, so we don't know what improvements or bug fixes the new firmware brings.

There's no standard way to upgrade the ‌AirPods‌‌ software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air while the ‌‌AirPods‌‌ are connected to an iOS device. Putting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ in the case, connecting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to a power source, and then pairing the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to an iPhone or an iPad should force the update after a short period of time.

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

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

If we find notable changes after the firmware updates are installed, we'll share details, but the software likely includes performance improvements and bug fixes.

Related Roundups: AirPods 3, AirPods Pro

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Related Forum: AirPods

Top Rated Comments

Itsedstech

24 months ago

update made my ANC even worse. I can still hear them calling my name at work

Score: 59 Votes (Like | Disagree)

xpxp2002

I get so tired of ANC reports being worse with every update. These are in ear not over the ear. It’s never going to be like that.

If you heard the original firmware's ANC, you'd understand that the hardware is capable. It's just infuriating that they artificially hampered it.

Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jz0309

And it’ll take 3 weeks to roll out to everyone… maybe by then we’ll know what is fixed/added?
I think it’s bad practice to not publish release notes Apple!

Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jermwhl

Hopefully improves the find my notifications. I get 2-3 notifications a week telling me I forgot my AirPods while they’re sitting in my pocket.

Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)

reklex

i'm WFH and I still can hear them calling me

Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Sigvard

Fact is that it performed too well and now it’s middle of the pack. Just go read the reviews at launch and you’ll see that it had fantastic ANC with the original FW. It was a pleasure walking out of the Apple Store when I got them as it muffled the world as I strolled around NYC. I was shocked at how well it performed on the subway, they were even better than my then class-leading Sony WF-1000XM3 with Comply tips.

I’m still not sure why they would neuter one of their better products like this.

And no, I’ll never get over this. lol.

Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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