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 pro 3 blue

Apple Offers 10% Off AirPods and More for Earth Day Device Recycling

Thursday April 16, 2026 6:19 am PDT by
Apple is offering 10% off AirPods, Beats, or accessories to customers who recycle an eligible iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac at a participating Apple Store through May 16. The discount applies when the recycling and purchase are completed in the same transaction. The promotion runs from today, April 16, through to May 16. Products brought in for recycling undergo screenings, with eligible ...
european union eu

EU iPhone Users Get AirPods-Like Pairing and Notification Forwarding for Third-Party Wearables in iOS 26.5

Monday May 11, 2026 1:50 pm PDT by
iOS 26.5 introduces several interoperability changes for third-party wearables, which means European iPhone users have access to new capabilities when using non-Apple accessories. To comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, Apple is letting third-party wearables access some features that have historically been limited to the Apple Watch and AirPods. Proximity pairing - Third-party...
AirPods Hearing Aid Thumb 1

Apple Watch Hypertension Alerts and AirPods Hearing Aid Feature Expand to More Countries

Tuesday May 12, 2026 10:53 am PDT by
Apple today said Hearing Aid features are now available for the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 in Italy, Romania, and Czechia, while Hypertension alerts have expanded to Israel. The Hearing Aid option allows the AirPods Pro to be used as an over-the-counter alternative to a traditional set of hearing aids. The AirPods Pro can improve sound to mitigate mild to moderate hearing loss,...

Top Rated Comments

honglong1976 Avatar
48 months ago
Very informative:)

Version 4E71 release notes

* Bug fixes and other improvements
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B4U Avatar
48 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
48 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)
48 months ago
Yes! I wonder why Apple didn't do release notes at first?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
48 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)
48 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)