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

Apple today released a second beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, including both the Lightning and USB-C versions. The updated firmware has a build number 7A5244b and it is available to developers at the current time. This is the second firmware update that Apple has released since announcing new ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 features in June.

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware
There are several new features that are coming to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 as part of iOS 18, and these features are 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.

The new firmware requires a device running ‌iOS 18‌ to install, and it won't be available to the public until this fall.

Related Roundups: AirPods Pro, iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Caution)
Related Forums: AirPods, iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
7 months ago

Focus mode disabled. Developer mode still not present.
To get developer mode to appear, you have to plug your iPhone into a Mac running the latest beta version of Xcode.
You don’t have to do anything from there, you just have to plug it in and make sure that it’s trusted.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
applefanboysince93 Avatar
7 months ago
Typo in the build number? Mine is at 7A244b
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dmccombs Avatar
7 months ago

Settings->Privacy->Developer Mode
I don't have that setting, but thanks for the replies. I did a bit of google search and it looks like some users (like me), don't have that setting, and so some of us have to install xcode to enable developer mode.

https://beebom.com/how-enable-developer-mode-iphone/
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jbachandouris Avatar
7 months ago


[LIST=1]
* Control Center | Disable Focus mode, if selected
* Settings | Privacy & Security | Developer Mode -> On
* Select Restart when prompted
* Swipe Up and select Enable
* Settings | Developer | Pre-Release Beta Firmware | Your AirPods Pro -> On
* Pray that AirPods will eventually update

Focus mode disabled. Developer mode still not present.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nickbatz Avatar
7 months ago
It would be great if they added a better way to adjust the volume than swiping up/down. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't - and that's if you're not elderly or disabled.

And if you connect them to an Apple TV, you have to use the remote to go to the settings to adjust the volume.

Or will you be able to map the Siri commands to that?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TwoBytes Avatar
7 months ago
“Apple is adding Voice Isolation to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ to cut down on loud background sounds to make you easier to hear"

Hold on. Why do I keep reading this?
The AirPod pros have had voice isolation for years
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)