Learn how to replace AirPods firmware: All you could know

There’s no direct method to replace your AirPods firmware. When Apple updates AirPods software program — because it did Tuesday for quite a lot of fashions — it occurs mechanically, within the background. Nonetheless, there’s a method to velocity up the AirPods replace course of. Plus, it’s a good suggestion to manually test you’re operating the most recent model, which brings bug fixes and generally nice new options.

Apple simply launched contemporary firmware for almost all AirPods fashions and a few Beats earbuds. The updates comprise “bug fixes and different enhancements,” in response to Apple. You can discover all present AirPods firmware variations beneath, together with ideas for getting the AirPods replace as shortly as doable

Right here’s easy methods to test in case your AirPods are operating the most recent firmware on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Plus what to do in the event that they aren’t, and easy methods to drive AirPods’ firmware to replace.

Learn how to replace AirPods firmware

Apple periodically brings out new firmware with enhancements and bug fixes. It’s properly price putting in these updates as a result of they repair bugs and generally comprise vital new options. The 6A300/6A301 replace final fall, for instance, added new options to the complete AirPods line. And when iOS 18 arrives this fall, AirPods will acquire new options, too, like the power to reply calls by nodding your head.

Apple sometimes doesn’t hassle to announce AirPods updates. Nonetheless, the corporate not too long ago began publishing launch notes so customers know what’s modified. Firmware updates are performed mechanically when your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth vary of an iPhone, iPad or Mac that’s linked to Wi-Fi.

Desk of contents: Learn how to replace AirPods firmware

What’s the newest AirPods firmware?

• AirPods (third era): 6A326
• AirPods (2nd era): 6A326
• AirPods (1st era): 6.8.8

What’s the newest AirPods Professional firmware?

• AirPods Professional (2nd era) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C): 6F8
• AirPods Professional (2nd era) with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning): 6F8
• AirPods Professional (1st era): 6A326

And what’s the newest AirPods Max firmware?

AirPods 2, AirPods 3, and unique AirPods Professional can now improve to firmware model 6A326, changing 6A321 from January.

And AirPods Professional 2 at the moment are on firmware model 6F8, changing 6F7. Apple launched the earlier firmware model 6F7 for AirPods Professional 2 in Could 2024. That changed 6B34 in December 2023, which changed 6B32 from November of that yr.  

As famous, the discharge notes for the 6F8 firmware — which Beats Match Professional and Powerbeats Professional additionally acquired Tuesday — merely say the replace brings “bug fixes and different enhancements.” 

Learn how to test your present firmware model on iPhone or iPad

It’s fairly simple to shortly test in case your AirPods are updated in iOS and iPadOS.

1. Join your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad

Begin by establishing an lively connection to your AirPods by opening the lid of the charging case. Or put the earbuds on, whichever you favor.

2. Go to Settings

Open the Settings app in your iPhone or iPad. When linked, your AirPods must be proper on the high of settings, just under your Apple ID settings. Faucet the title of your AirPods, and on the following display screen scroll nearly to the underside the place you’ll see Model, which lists the present firmware quantity.

For a lot of AirPods fashions, search for Model to say 6A326. The identical is true for first-gen AirPods Professional. The newest AirPods Professional ought to learn 6F8, and so forth. See the chart above.

3. Alternatively, go to Settings -> Bluetooth

One other method to test AirPods firmware is to go to Settings -> Bluetooth and look below My Gadgets for the title of your AirPods. Faucet within the blue ⓘ icon — it’s an i with a circle round it subsequent to the title.  On the ensuing web page, search for Model. Once more, the most recent model for many AirPods is 6A326, whereas the newer AirPods Professional are on 6F8. You can also test Apple’s listing of present firmware variations.

Learn how to drive an replace

In case your AirPods firmware isn’t present, you possibly can velocity up the replace course of. Form of. Sadly, you possibly can’t push a button or toggle a setting to inform your AirPods to replace. One of the best you are able to do is put your AirPods of their case and plug the case into an influence cable (Lightning or USB-C). Similar factor for AirPods Max: Simply plug the headphones right into a charging cable. Or if in case you have a wi-fi charging case, put your AirPods on a wi-fi charger.

Then be sure the iPhone or iPad they’re paired with is shut by, and wait. The firmware ought to replace. Usually, the method takes 5 to 10 minutes, however it might take as much as half-hour. Be affected person!

There are theories on easy methods to get a sooner replace, like plugging the AirPods case right into a Mac, however none of those have ever been definitively confirmed to work any faster. Realistically, this can be a downside just for individuals who get antsy about controlling firmware updates, and who need the most recent as quickly as they’ll get it. For everybody else, simply preserve utilizing your AirPods. The replace will occur with out you having to do a factor.

Learn how to test AirPods’ present firmware model on Mac

You can also test your AirPods firmware on a Mac. Your Mac will should be operating macOS Ventura or later.

1. Go to System Settings

Click on the Apple menu icon within the higher left nook of your Mac’s display screen, and choose System Settings.

2. Choose Bluetooth

Click on Bluetooth within the left-hand sidebar. Then discover your AirPods within the My Gadgets listing and choose the blue ⓘ icon (an i with a circle round it subsequent to the title). Ensure that your AirPods are linked to your Mac. It ought to say Related. (If not, open the lid of the AirPods case, or choose Join subsequent to the earbuds’ machine title.)

3. Verify the firmware model

After clicking in your AirPods, a popup will present details about them, together with the firmware quantity subsequent to Model. Verify it towards the firmware numbers listed above, or towards Apple’s listing of present AirPod firmware updates.

4. Drive an replace

If the firmware model isn’t updated, pop your AirPods into their case, and plug them right into a charging cable. You may put the opposite finish of the charging cable into your Mac. The firmware ought to replace itself. Once more, it sometimes takes 5 to 10 minutes, however may take longer. In case your AirPods got here with a wi-fi charging case, you possibly can put them on a wi-fi charger.

Are you able to replace AirPods firmware on Android or Home windows?

Despite the fact that you possibly can join your AirPods to an Android machine or a Home windows pc, you can’t replace the firmware on Android or Home windows. You may solely replace AirPods firmware on iOS, iPadOS and macOS. There’s at present no third-party software program that may do an AirPods firmware replace.

Editor’s notice: We initially printed this put up on easy methods to replace AirPods firmware on November 14, 2019. We refresh it periodically with successive new AirPods firmware variations. Leander Kahney contributed to this put up.