Apple launched new firmware for AirPods Professional 2 and AirPods 4 on Monday that ushers in Reside Translation and likewise improves the earbuds’ audio high quality and their efficiency as listening to aids. Model 8A356 arrived alongside iOS 26, the iPhone replace required to allow the brand new options.
Apple lately defined precisely replace your AirPods firmware. The method can occur robotically, within the background, however there’s a method to velocity issues up. It’s a good suggestion to manually verify that you just’re working the most recent model, which brings bug fixes and typically nice new options.
Learn on for extra particulars, and discover all present AirPods firmware variations, together with directions for getting the AirPods replace as rapidly as attainable.
Find out how to replace AirPods firmware
Apple periodically releases new AirPods firmware with enhancements and bug fixes. It’s effectively price putting in these updates as a result of they repair bugs and typically comprise vital new options. There’s no higher instance than the firmware replace simply launched.
Apple usually doesn’t trouble to announce AirPods firmware updates. Nonetheless, the corporate does publish launch notes so customers know what’s modified. Apple’s record of adjustments in 8A356 is intensive:
Reside Translation with AirPods works on AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation and AirPods Professional 2 and later with the most recent firmware when paired with an Apple Intelligence – enabled iPhone working iOS 26 and later. Accessible in beta with assist for these languages: English (UK, US), French (France), German (Germany), Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain). Later this 12 months, Reside Translation on AirPods will add language assist for Chinese language (Mandarin, Simplified), Chinese language (Mandarin, Conventional), Japanese, Korean, and Italian.
When used with an iOS 26 or iPadOS 26-supported iPhone or iPad, firmware replace 8A356 additionally enhances the expertise for Listening to Help customers. A consumer’s personal voice and folks they’re talking to now sound much more pure and with automated Dialog Enhance, voices of individuals in entrance of the consumer will dynamically be amplified whereas background noise is diminished to enhance speech intelligibility in louder environments like eating places or the workplace.
When used with an iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26-supported iPhone, iPad, and Mac, firmware replace 8A356 additionally provides new methods to seize content material and ranges up the communication expertise for AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation, AirPods Professional 2 and AirPods Professional 3.
Studio high quality audio recording improves vocal texture and readability when using AirPods with the Digicam app, Voice Memos, and dictation in Messages. Voice high quality on calls, FaceTime, and CallKit-enabled apps will even sound extra pure.
Whereas utilizing the Digicam app or appropriate third-party digicam apps on iPhone or iPad, capturing images or movies at a distance is less complicated than ever with a easy press-and-hold from the stem with AirPods digicam distant.
As well as, this replace consists of enhancements for charging reminders, Computerized Switching that now consists of CarPlay and helps pause media on inactivity for customers who make the most of AirPods to wind down for sleep.
While you hear about an AirPods firmware replace, you possibly can power it to replace by following the method described under. In case you don’t need to trouble, simply know that firmware updates are additionally performed robotically when your AirPods are charging and inside Bluetooth vary of an iPhone, iPad or Mac that’s linked to Wi-Fi.
Desk of contents: Find out how to replace AirPods firmware
What’s the newest AirPods firmware?
AirPods (4th technology): 8A356
AirPods (4th technology) with Lively Noise Cancellation: 8A356
AirPods (3nd technology): 6F21
AirPods (2nd technology): 6F21
AirPods (1st technology): 6.8.8
Each variants of the AirPods 4 simply went to8A356. AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 have been on firmware model 6F21 since October 2024. AirPods 1 firmware hasn’t been up to date in years.
What’s the newest AirPods Professional firmware?
AirPods Professional (third technology): 8A356
AirPods Professional (2nd technology) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C): 8A356
AirPods Professional (2nd technology) with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning): 8A356
AirPods Professional (1st technology): 6F21
As of September, each variations of AirPods Professional 2 are on firmware model 8A356. Unique AirPods Professional received an improve in October 2024 to firmware model 6F21.
And what’s the newest AirPods Max firmware?
AirPods Max (USB-C): 7E108
AirPods Max: 6F25
In Might, AirPods Max (USB-C) went to 7E108, which Apple says provides “Bug fixes and different enhancements.” That makes it a tweak to 7E101 from April with the promised addition of lossless audio playback. And the unique AirPods Max moved to firmware model 6F25 in April. This provides solely “Bug fixes and different enhancements.”
Find out how to verify your present firmware model on iPhone or iPad
It’s fairly straightforward to rapidly verify in case your AirPods are updated in iOS and iPadOS.
1. Join your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad
Join your AirPods to your system by opening the case — or pop them in your ears.
Picture: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
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 Settings, then choose the identify of your linked AirPods to see the present firmware model.
Screenshot: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Open the Settings app in your iPhone or iPad. When linked, your AirPods needs to be proper on the high of settings, just under your Apple ID settings. Faucet the identify of your AirPods, and on the subsequent display 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 28356 or 6F21. The identical is true for first-gen AirPods Professional. The newest AirPods Professional ought to learn 28356, and so forth. See the chart above.
3. Alternatively, go to Settings -> Bluetooth
Open Settings, then Bluetooth, then choose the knowledge icon to see your AirPods firmware quantity.
Screenshot: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
One other method to verify AirPods firmware is to go to Settings -> Bluetooth and look below My Gadgets for the identify of your AirPods. Faucet within the blue ⓘ icon — it’s an i with a circle round it subsequent to the identify. On the ensuing web page, search for Model. Once more, the most recent model for many AirPods is 28356 or 6F21, whereas the newer AirPods Professional are on 28356. You can also verify Apple’s record of present firmware variations.
Find out how to power an replace
You’ll be able to hurry up an AirPods firmware replace. Kind of.
Picture: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
In case your AirPods firmware isn’t present, you possibly can velocity up the replace. For near a decade, Apple resisted revealing the method, although customers figured it out. However in early 2025 Apple lastly defined — in the end — precisely what to do.
Sadly, you possibly can’t push a button or toggle a setting to right away inform your AirPods to replace. It’s a bit extra oblique. Apple says the method to replace your AirPods or AirPods Professional firmware includes:
Make it possible for your AirPods are in Bluetooth vary of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that’s linked to Wi-Fi.
Put your AirPods of their charging case and shut the lid.
Plug the charging cable into your charging case, then plug the opposite finish of the cable right into a USB charger or port.
Hold the lid of the charging case closed, and wait not less than half-hour for the firmware to replace.
Open the lid of the charging case to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Examine the firmware model once more.
In case you nonetheless can’t replace your firmware, reset your AirPodsthen attempt to replace your firmware once more.
That is simply what we’ve mentioned for years: the very best you are able to do is put your AirPods or AirPods Professional of their case and plug the case into an influence cable (Lightning or USB-C). Then make certain the iPhone or iPad they’re paired with is shut by, and wait. The firmware ought to replace. Sometimes, the method takes 5 to 10 minutes, however it could possibly take as much as half-hour. Be affected person!
But it surely’s well worth the wait. AirPods simply advanced into extra than simply wi-fi earbuds — they now a pocket translator, able to real-time language conversion. And AirPods Professional 2 began performing as listening to aids with a 2024 firmware replace
Identical factor goes for upgrading AirPods Max: Simply plug the headphones right into a charging cable. Or when you have a wi-fi charging case, put your AirPods on a wi-fi charger. Then put the headphones close to your iPhone or iPad and wait.
To be clear, manually updating AirPods firmware is an issue just for individuals who get antsy and need the most recent as quickly as they will get it. For everybody else, simply preserve utilizing your AirPods. The replace will occur with out you having to do a factor.
Find out how to verify AirPods’ present firmware model on Mac
You can also verify your AirPods firmware on a Mac. Your Mac will should be working macOS Ventura or later.
1. Go to System Settings
Open System Settings below the Apple menu.
Click on the Apple menu icon within the higher left nook of your Mac’s display, and choose System Settings.
2. Choose Bluetooth
Choose Bluetooth, then the identify of your linked AirPods
Screenshot: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Click on Bluetooth within the left-hand sidebar. Then discover your AirPods within the My Gadgets record and choose the blue ⓘ icon (an i with a circle round it subsequent to the identify). Make certain 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’ system identify.)
3. Examine the firmware model
Examine the firmware model.
After clicking in your AirPods, a popup will present details about them, together with the firmware quantity subsequent to Model. Examine it in opposition to the firmware numbers listed above, or in opposition to Apple’s record of present AirPod firmware updates.
4. Pressure an replace
If the firmware model isn’t updated, pop your AirPods into their case, and plug them right into a charging cable. You’ll be able to put the opposite finish of the charging cable into your Mac. The firmware ought to replace itself. Once more, it usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, however may take half a hour or 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?
Regardless that you possibly can join your AirPods to an Android system or a Home windows laptop, you can not replace the firmware on Android or Home windows. You’ll be able to solely replace AirPods firmware on iOS, iPadOS and macOS. There may be at the moment no third-party software program that may do an AirPods firmware replace.
In case you’re questioning join AirPods Max to non-Apple units, we have now an in depth information.
Extra firmware replace guides
Editor’s observe: We initially printed this put up on replace AirPods firmware on November 14, 2019. We refresh it periodically with successive new AirPods firmware variations. Leander Kahney contributed to this put up.
