Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Beta Firmware With Support for iOS 18 Features

Apple today released new beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, including both the Lightning and USB-C versions. The updated firmware has a build number of 7A5220e, and it is available to developers at the current time.

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware
At today's keynote event, Apple introduced several new features that are coming to the AirPods Pro 2 as part of iOS 18, including head gestures, and these features may be included in the firmware update.

With head gestures, users can control Siri on the AirPods Pro with a shake or a nod of the head. If you get a phone call, for example, you can shake your head no if you don't want to answer it, or nod to accept the call. ‌Siri‌ interactions can be used for responding to incoming messages, calls, and notifications.

Apple is adding Voice Isolation to the AirPods Pro to cut down on loud background sounds to make you easier to hear, and there is a new Personalized Spatial Audio feature specific to gaming. Game developers will be able to incorporate spatial audio into their games for a more immersive audio experience.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
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Top Rated Comments

Halopend Avatar
17 months ago

It is. I'm wondering the same thing.

I can make a phone call, pull down Control Center, and turn on Voice Isolation while using AirPods Pro. I fail to see how this is anything different than what I can do today.
Apple is moving the processing onto the AirPods themselves on the H2 chips as opposed to the phone.

Not too soon as well since I use my airpods at work on a windows laptop and am constant being told my microphone barely picks me up and seems to enhance the background noise. Looking forward to seeing this in action.

(I've confirmed this info on apple.com which mentions the new voice isolation being done direct on the H2 chip).
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
djlythium Avatar
17 months ago
Anyone else NOT getting their AirPods to update? Trying to force the update isn’t working. Ideas?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shaquu Avatar
17 months ago
How is this Voice Isolation a new thing? Honestly I feel like it was already there!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xpxp2002 Avatar
17 months ago

How is this Voice Isolation a new thing? Honestly I feel like it was already there!
It is. I'm wondering the same thing.

I can make a phone call, pull down Control Center, and turn on Voice Isolation while using AirPods Pro. I fail to see how this is anything different than what I can do today.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CausticSoda Avatar
17 months ago
Nodding...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
UnbreakableAlex Avatar
17 months ago
AirPods Pro 2 need wind noise cancelation. They are unusable in windy conditions. how do you guys deal with it? My Sony MX4 could eliminate it very well.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)