Apple Now Provides Release Notes for AirPods Firmware Updates - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Now Provides Release Notes for AirPods Firmware Updates

As expected, Apple has published a new support document with release notes for standard AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max firmware updates. Going forward, Apple says the page will outline new features and changes included in AirPods firmware updates.

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature
The latest firmware version for AirPods is 4E71 and was released in May. Sadly, Apple's support document is not particularly helpful for this version, with the release notes only mentioning "bug fixes and other improvements," without any specific details. Hopefully the release notes are more detailed for future firmware versions.

On an iPhone updated to iOS 16, a link to Apple's support document for AirPods firmware updates can be found by opening the Settings app, navigating to General → About → AirPods, and tapping on Firmware Version. The support document is similar to one that Apple has maintained for AirTag firmware updates since earlier this year.

There is still no manual way to update AirPods, with new firmware installing automatically over time while the AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. There are some tips and tricks that may help with the process.

(Thanks, Federico!)

Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

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...
airpods 4 new new orange

AirPods 5 to Launch as Early as Next Month

Monday August 24, 2026 8:00 pm PDT by
Apple is planning to announce two new AirPods 5 models as early as Wednesday, September 9, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Like the AirPods 4, the AirPods 5 will be available with and without active noise cancellation, he said. AirPods 5 references were already discovered in macOS 26.7 Release Candidate code last week, and the report said they could be unveiled at this year's iPhone...
airpods camera leaked

Apple's Camera-Equipped AirPods Confirmed: See Them in Action

Monday August 17, 2026 6:21 pm PDT by
Apple is working on camera-equipped AirPods that appear to be nearly ready to launch, based on a video MacRumors found in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate. In a short demo, a man holds a book up so the camera in the AirPods can see the title. "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later," says the voiceover text. Here ...

Top Rated Comments

honglong1976 Avatar
52 months ago
Very informative:)

Version 4E71 release notes

* Bug fixes and other improvements
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B4U Avatar
52 months ago
Next step is to give us the button to manually update the thing.
The current implementation is not acceptable.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
a-bob Avatar
52 months ago
To update AirPods firmware you go to Bluetooth. To update AirTags you go to Find My app. Update HomePod go to Home app. Seems like Apple could consolidate these items in one place for firmware updates.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
52 months ago
Yes! I wonder why Apple didn't do release notes at first?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
52 months ago

To update AirPods firmware you go to Bluetooth. To update AirTags you go to Find My app. Update HomePod go to Home app. Seems like Apple could consolidate these items in one place for firmware updates.
If only there was a Software Update section in iOS...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
52 months ago
Great that Apple is now providing release notes. Most likely they might mention bug fixes for most of the releases.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)