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

Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods 4, and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and ‌AirPods 4‌ firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October.

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature
There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2, ‌AirPods 4‌ with ANC, and ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ are both set to get expanded support for Live Translation in the European Union in iOS 26.2, which is being beta tested.

The firmware could be related to that upcoming functionality, or it could add bug fixes and performance improvements.

To install the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. From there, put your AirPods in the Charging Case and connect the Charging Case to power. Keep the case closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware update to install.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

Astuces iOS Avatar
7 weeks ago
AirPods Pro 1 deadass or what?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benroberts3 Avatar
7 weeks ago
Updated my AirPods Pro 3. Hopefully, this isn’t a placebo effect, but I can tell that the conversation awareness is much faster, and the noise cancellation is much better/stronger. Not sure how to describe this, but I can definitely tell a difference sitting in a room with a fan going or an air purifier. Would love to hear from others what it’s like on an airplane with the engines going.

This feels more like a bug fix update to improve speed and stability rather than new features. This is a welcomed firmware update that was needed.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LiquidGlass Avatar
7 weeks ago

ANC is the exact same, and still worse than AirPods Pro 2, sound quality is the exact same
If your ANC is worse than on the AirPods Pro 2, it’s almost definitely the fit. Try adjusting how you insert the Pro 3s or switch to different tips.

When I first got them at launch, I was underwhelmed too. It took a couple of weeks and some tip swapping to get used to them and figure out the right placement. Now the difference is almost night and day, I’ve never had earbuds with ANC this good.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Happy_John Avatar
7 weeks ago

Anybody with Pro 2's (usb-c) have their case update? My pods updated to 8B21 but my case is still on 8A358
It was a full 24 hours for the case update to have registered after the AirPods themselves had registered (AP4ANC) - all you can do is be patient.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
amancalledsun Avatar
7 weeks ago

AirPods Pro 1 deadass or what?
Yep. Apple knows they all crackle by now, so you just use them without NR and there's no point in putting out updates.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wombat-man Avatar
7 weeks ago
It would be nice if my AirPods Pro 2 would work properly with my kindle
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)