Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods 3

Tuesday December 19, 2023 11:48 am PST by Juli Clover

Apple today introduced a new firmware update for the third-generation AirPods. The new firmware is version 6A317, up from the 6A300 firmware introduced in September.

airpods 3 blue
Apple's AirPods firmware updates do not come with details on new features, so it is unclear what might be included in the software.

Apple also does not offer instructions on how to upgrade AirPods software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air while the ‌‌AirPods‌‌ are connected to an iOS device. Putting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ in the case, connecting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to a power source, and then pairing the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to an iOS device or Mac should force the update.

You can check your ‌‌‌AirPods‌‌ or ‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ firmware by following these steps:

Connect your ‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌ to your iOS device.
Open the Settings app.
Tap General.
Tap About.
Tap ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.
Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."

If we learn more about what's new in the AirPods firmware release, we'll update this article. Apple has also recently released 6A307 beta firmware for the AirPods Pro, AirPods 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods Max.

Related Roundup: AirPods 4

Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Neutral)

Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol

iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....

• 30 comments

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

• 89 comments

tvOS 26.4 Adds These New Features to Your Apple TV

Wednesday March 25, 2026 3:33 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple this week released tvOS 26.4, and the software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the Apple TV. tvOS 26.4 is compatible with all Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models released since 2015. To update your Apple TV, open the Settings app on the device, navigate to System → Software Updates, and select Update Software. Below, we have recapped what is new in tvOS...

• 48 comments

Top Rated Comments

andrewxgx

30 months ago

does it fix the damn thing falling out of the ear?

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

veebs

30 months ago

Safari seems snappier with this update

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

dannyyankou

30 months ago

Does it fix the problem where one doesn’t seat correctly and doesn’t charge overnight? Then the next night it’s the other one. Then it’s fine for a few days. I’ve replaced 3 pair and all have the same problem. I’ve never had this issue on the first generation AirPods. I actually just went back and purchased a first generation so I wouldn’t have the issue any longer, at least for the pair I use for traveling. The AirPods 3 I have a home for the bedroom and office still have this problem.

That's happened to me too with the AirPods Pro. I I think I found the culprit. Dirt can accumulate between the stem and the part that goes in your ear, and cleaning that crevice seems to help.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)