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

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 4, AirPods Max, AirPods Pro 3
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

airpods pro 3 purple

New, Higher End AirPods Pro Coming This Year

Tuesday January 20, 2026 9:05 am PST by
Apple is planning to debut a high-end secondary version of AirPods Pro 3 this year, sitting in the lineup alongside the current model, reports suggest. Back in September 2025, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to introduce a successor to the AirPods Pro 3 in 2026. This would be somewhat unusual since Apple normally waits around three years to make major...
smaller dynamic island iphone 18 pro Filip Vabrous%CC%8Cek

iPhone 18 Pro Leak: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Top-Left Camera Cutout

Tuesday January 20, 2026 2:34 am PST by
Over the last few months, rumors around the iPhone 18 Pro's front-panel design have been conflicted, with some supply-chain leaks pointing to under-display Face ID, reports suggesting a top-left hole-punch camera, and debate over whether the familiar Dynamic Island will shrink, shift, or disappear entirely. Today, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital shared new details that appear to clarify the ...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple Expected to Unveil Five All-New Products This Year

Wednesday January 21, 2026 10:54 am PST by
In addition to updating many of its existing products, Apple is expected to unveil five all-new products this year, including a smart home hub, a Face ID doorbell, a MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, a foldable iPhone, and augmented reality glasses. Below, we have recapped rumored features for each product. Smart Home Hub Apple home hub (concept) Apple's long-rumored smart home hub should...
Liquid Glass App Store Feature

App Store and Apple TV Experiencing Outage

Tuesday January 20, 2026 4:36 pm PST by
Apple's App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple TV service are experiencing an outage at the current time, according to Apple's System Status page. Apple says that some users may be experiencing issues with the App Store and iTunes Store. Apple also says some users may be seeing intermittent issues with Apple TV. The Apple TV Channels feature is down too, and users may be unable to access some...
airtag prime day 2

Apple Developing AirTag-Sized AI Pin With Dual Cameras

Wednesday January 21, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
Apple is working on a small, wearable AI pin equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, and microphones, reports The Information. If it actually launches, the AI pin will likely run the new Siri chatbot that Apple plans to unveil in iOS 27. The pin is said to be similar in size to an AirTag, with a thin, flat, circular disc shape. It has an aluminum and glass shell, and two cameras at the...

Top Rated Comments

Le0M Avatar
46 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
46 months ago
Hopefully it will make my AirPods Max less heavy.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolfactor Avatar
46 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
46 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)
finalcut Avatar
46 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)
hxlover904 Avatar
46 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)