Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max

Following the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote in June, Apple provided developers with a beta firmware for several AirPods models, including the second-generation AirPods, third-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Apple today updated that firmware, with the version number going from 5A5282d to 5A304a.

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware
The updated AirPods firmware is limited to developers, who can download the software from the More Downloads page on the Apple developer website. Installing the beta requires an iPhone running the iOS 16 beta, a Mac running the macOS Ventura beta, Xcode 14 beta, 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.

According to Apple, the beta firmware includes improvements to Automatic Switching as well as bug and stability fixes. The software will eventually come to all AirPods after testing is finished, and it could see a release this fall alongside iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, tvOS 16, and watchOS 9.

Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Max, AirPods Pro
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
apple c1

Apple Unveils 'C1' as First Custom Cellular Modem

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:08 am PST by
Apple today announced its first custom cellular modem with the name "C1," debuting in the all-new iPhone 16e. The new modem contributes to the iPhone 16e's power efficiency, giving it the longest battery life of any iPhone with a 6.1-inch display, such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most...
Apple Northbrook

Apple Store Permanently Closing at Struggling Mall in Chicago Area

Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:46 pm PST by
Apple is permanently closing its retail store at the Northbrook Court shopping mall in the Chicago area. The company confirmed the upcoming closure today in a statement, but it has yet to provide a closing date for the location. Apple Northbrook opened in 2005, and the store moved to a larger space in the mall in 2017. Apple confirmed that affected employees will continue to work for the...

Top Rated Comments

Le0M Avatar
34 months ago
I really hope Apple improves the automatic connection feature, cuz it's very buggy to say the least.
It often connects to the wrong device, switches device without asking, sometimes not able to change volume of the earpieces, and so on.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FasterQuieter Avatar
34 months ago
Hopefully it will make my AirPods Max less heavy.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolfactor Avatar
34 months ago

I just want a design that prevents my AirPods Pro from flying out of the case and across the yard when I drop them.
Sounds like the problem is that they are being dropped, so a redesign of your hands is the solution. Poor AirPods... being blamed when they are the victim!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
34 months ago
I just want a design that prevents my AirPods Pro from flying out of the case and across the yard when I drop them.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
finalcut Avatar
34 months ago

I just want a design that prevents my AirPods Pro from flying out of the case and across the yard when I drop them.
You are holding it wrong!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hxlover904 Avatar
34 months ago

But is it behaving correctly? I've started using AirPods more recently. When connected to my laptop, and then I grab my phone (waking it up), they switch over to the phone automatically. They are assuming that is device that I'm now using, and then they switch back to the laptop when I'm done with the phone. Seems reasonable, if not spooky. But this is fully configurable, too.
I think the main issue is it changes devices while you're actively listening/watching something on the first device. If they are connected to my ipad and i'm watching a video, then pick up my phone to read a text message-they switch to my phone and suddenly i have the sound from the ipad is coming through it's speakers which is jarring. Espeically to anyone else in the room. Yes, it's configurable (thank goodness), but I think it shouldn't switch devices when there is already sound coming throught the airpods.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)