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

Apple today provided developers with a new beta firmware update for the AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max. The new beta has a version number of 5B5040c.

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware
Apple has been providing beta updates for the AirPods since the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, and the firmware is limited to developers who can download it from the Developer Center. Installing the beta requires an iPhone running iOS 16, a Mac running the macOS Ventura beta, Xcode 14, 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.

There is no word on what is included in the beta firmware at this time. The prior version of the AirPods firmware added improvements to Automatic Switching and stability fixes.

Following testing, the software will come to all AirPods and it could potentially see a launch alongside iOS 16.1, which is also in testing.

Popular Stories

Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1

Gurman: iPhone Ultra Wows Early Testers, Except for Its Camera

Sunday August 23, 2026 11:19 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra is winning over the few people who have had hands-on time with the device, though the camera setup may leave some users wanting, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says people who have used the device – which is reportedly referred to internally as the iPhone Ultra – like how it fits in your...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Pre-Orders and Release Date

Thursday August 20, 2026 8:00 am PDT by
Apple has yet to reveal when the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will be announced and released, but the dates usually follow a familiar pattern. As usual, the iPhone event is expected to take place in the first half of September. Labor Day falls on September 7 this year. The last time the holiday was on that day was in 2020, but the iPhone event that year was delayed until October due to...
iPhone 18 Pro Dark Cherry Feature

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: When Will Apple Event Be Announced?

Monday August 24, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
It is now late August, meaning that Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner. Below, we take a look at when the event might be held this year. This September, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new foldable iPhone that will reportedly be named the iPhone Ultra. The regular iPhone 18, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and the iPhone Air 2 are not...

Top Rated Comments

tgwaste Avatar
51 months ago
Automatic Switching is STILL an absolutely utter and horrific tragedy.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago
Doesn't anyone else think it's ridiculous that apple expects developers to test new software w/o providing any indication of what changed?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Grayburn Avatar
51 months ago

Nope, ANC is one thing Apple got right on the AP2!
They got it right on the very first firmware for the Gen 1 Pro’s but then ****ed it up gradually in every subsequent firmware "upgrade" afterwards.

It’s better in the Gen 2’s then it is in the Gen 1’s but it’s not totally amazing.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago

The main problem of ANC is that it can fully isolate you from the environment.

good if you are busy studying/working in a loud environment, but bad if you are walking across the city and isolate from anything around you.
True, but isn’t that what ANC is all about? If you are walking on a street with full ANC on and get into an accident it‘s kind of your won fault.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago

Downgrading “old” AirPods ANC so the new feel like a true improvement
Nope, ANC is one thing Apple got right on the AP2!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago

Downgrading “old” AirPods ANC so the new feel like a true improvement
Nah they already nerfed them a year or two ago.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)