Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max

by

Following the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote in June, Apple provided developers with a beta firmware for several AirPods models, including the second-generation AirPods, third-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Apple today updated that firmware, with the version number going from 5A5282d to 5A304a.

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware
The updated AirPods firmware is limited to developers, who can download the software from the More Downloads page on the Apple developer website. Installing the beta requires an iPhone running the iOS 16 beta, a Mac running the macOS Ventura beta, Xcode 14 beta, and supported AirPods.

Developers are required to pair the AirPods with an iPhone, connect the iPhone to a Mac with a Lightning cable, launch Xcode 14 beta on the Mac, navigate to Settings → Developer, and choose Pre-Release Beta Firmware under the AirPods Testing section. Subsequent updates are delivered over the air once the pre-release testing option is enabled.

According to Apple, the beta firmware includes improvements to Automatic Switching as well as bug and stability fixes. The software will eventually come to all AirPods after testing is finished, and it could see a release this fall alongside iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, tvOS 16, and watchOS 9.

Related Roundups: AirPods 5, AirPods Max 2, AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now), AirPods Max (Buy Now), AirPods Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

Surprise and Shine Live Coverage Article

Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and More

Wednesday September 9, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the foldable iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models, new AirPods 5 earphones, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...
Read Full Article • 1305 comments
airpods 4 new new orange

Beyond iPhone 18 Pro: AirPods 5 in September, iPad Mini With OLED Display in October

Sunday August 30, 2026 7:25 am PDT by
In his newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that AirPods 5 will be released as early as this September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, a foldable iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 12, and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Apple is holding an event on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. He also reiterated that he expects an iPad mini with an OLED display and...
Read Full Article • 18 comments
airpods 5

AirPods 5 Announced With Improved Noise Cancellation, Audio Quality, and More

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:33 am PDT by
Apple today introduced AirPods 5, offering Active Noise Cancellation with its entry-level wireless earbuds at a starting price of $129. Apple says AirPods 5 remove up to 50% more external noise than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. They also boast a redesigned acoustic architecture and updated Adaptive EQ also promise richer, more detailed sound, and an improved Transparency mode...
Read Full Article • 62 comments

Top Rated Comments

Le0M Avatar
Le0M
55 months ago
I really hope Apple improves the automatic connection feature, cuz it's very buggy to say the least.
It often connects to the wrong device, switches device without asking, sometimes not able to change volume of the earpieces, and so on.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FasterQuieter Avatar
FasterQuieter
55 months ago
Hopefully it will make my AirPods Max less heavy.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
coolfactor
55 months ago

I just want a design that prevents my AirPods Pro from flying out of the case and across the yard when I drop them.
Sounds like the problem is that they are being dropped, so a redesign of your hands is the solution. Poor AirPods... being blamed when they are the victim!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
vegetassj4
55 months ago
I just want a design that prevents my AirPods Pro from flying out of the case and across the yard when I drop them.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
F
finalcut
55 months ago

I just want a design that prevents my AirPods Pro from flying out of the case and across the yard when I drop them.
You are holding it wrong!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H
hxlover904
55 months ago

But is it behaving correctly? I've started using AirPods more recently. When connected to my laptop, and then I grab my phone (waking it up), they switch over to the phone automatically. They are assuming that is device that I'm now using, and then they switch back to the laptop when I'm done with the phone. Seems reasonable, if not spooky. But this is fully configurable, too.
I think the main issue is it changes devices while you're actively listening/watching something on the first device. If they are connected to my ipad and i'm watching a video, then pick up my phone to read a text message-they switch to my phone and suddenly i have the sound from the ipad is coming through it's speakers which is jarring. Espeically to anyone else in the room. Yes, it's configurable (thank goodness), but I think it shouldn't switch devices when there is already sound coming throught the airpods.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments