AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 Get iOS 26 Features With New Firmware Update

[MacRumors]

Apple today released updated firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4, introducing support for the new AirPods features that are included in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe.

The firmware has a build number of 8A356, and it replaces the current 7E93 firmware.

With Apple's new software updates, the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 support better audio quality for phone calls and video calls, and studio-quality audio recording for interviews, podcasts, videos, and more.

There is an option to use the AirPods as a camera remote with the Camera app to take photos or start a video recording, and you can now get the AirPods to pause audio if you fall asleep while listening. A Keep Audio in Headphones feature ensures that your music won't switch to your car when you get in, and you can now get charging reminders when your AirPods battery is low. On the AirPods 4 with ANC and the AirPods Pro 2, Live Translation is supported.

All of these features will also be available with the new AirPods Pro 3 that are releasing on Friday, September 19.

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.

Article Link: AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 Get iOS 26 Features With New Firmware Update

 

[vercordio]

How very un-Apple to roll out headline features to older models. Nice one!

 

[Epcot85]

I updated my beta to iOS 26 and I’ve had the beta for the AirPods for a while. I still cannot get live translation to show up anywhere. I will try to update to this firmware and see if that does it. Anyone else had luck with getting live translation to work?

 

[decypher44]

I really wish they’d finally allow a direct request for updated firmware instead of “plug it in and wait”.

 

[dmk1974]

Will the firmware updates not make my audio sound like trash when connecting to my Windows computer for work Teams meetings? Never a issue with connecting to my iPhone/iPad/MacBook/Apple Watch. Just always lousy when connected to a Windows machine (prob intentional).

 

[maxsquared]

It just keep saying I need to download language when I have languages downloaded already.

 

[jjwolverine]

Does anyone know the current version for the case? My AirPods updated to 8A356 but the case is 8A434a not sure if they’re supposed to be the same build number.

 

[SteveLV702]

I updated my beta to iOS 26 and I’ve had the beta for the AirPods for a while. I still cannot get live translation to show up anywhere. I will try to update to this firmware and see if that does it. Anyone else had luck with getting live translation to work?

Nope not here on my AirPod Pro 2 and been running Beta iOS 26 and Beta AirPods firmware for a while.

 

[jwm]

Does anyone know the current version for the case? My AirPods updated to 8A356 but the case is 8A434a not sure if they’re supposed to be the same build number.

My case just updated from 8A356 to 8A0, and the firmware is still showing 8A434a.

 

[istgradfrompsu]

You have to download the language(s) to translate from as well as the language(s) to translate to. I am trying it on a french video on YouTube translating to english (US) and it is working.

 

[maxsquared]

You have to download the language(s) to translate from as well as the language(s) to translate to. I am trying it on a french video on YouTube translating to english (US) and it is working.

I’ve downloaded all languages and it’s still not available, maybe because I am on iPhone 15 pro?

 

[srknpower]

My AirPods Pro case is updated but buds aren’t.

 

[BJMRamage]

I understand there can be Automatic (AutoMagic) updates but there really should be an Option to "Update Now"

 

[nortonandreev]

There's definitely changes in the final firmware release, compared to the previous beta build. The volume seems louder, even with Dolby Atmos. The audio definition seems tweaked as well. Anyone else? (AirPods Pro 2)

This is when paired with iOS, btw. On macOS it seems they have capped the volume lower - both for the AirPods and the internal speakers. Quite bad...

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Will the firmware updates not make my audio sound like trash when connecting to my Windows computer for work Teams meetings? Never a issue with connecting to my iPhone/iPad/MacBook/Apple Watch. Just always lousy when connected to a Windows machine (prob intentional).

Windows apparently doesn’t support the higher quality audio?

Apple implemented the biggest improvement to bluetooth audio since 2009

Did you ever listen to music via bluetooth and got a call? Did the quality get a lot worse? What happened to all those fancy codecs?

medium.marco.zone

From the article:
“Many bluetooth headsets just don’t support the better codec and my windows PC doesn’t seem to support it either.” This is from 2009 so it appears that hasn’t changed on Windows.

 

[Davisgtp]

i got mine to show up but there is no Jappanese yet.

 

[DblHelix]

I updated my beta to iOS 26 and I’ve had the beta for the AirPods for a while. I still cannot get live translation to show up anywhere. I will try to update to this firmware and see if that does it. Anyone else had luck with getting live translation to work?

Worked for me just hold down the button and it animates with the Siri animation on the phone and works displays what it hears and the translation and reads the translation back to you.

 

[robcole2013]

Live translate doesnt seem to work for me. Just keeps saying languages need to be downloaded but they already are

 

[robcole2013]

I’ve downloaded all languages and it’s still not available, maybe because I am on iPhone 15 pro?

I’m on a 16 pro max & it’s the same thing for me

 

[Dazzerukuk]

For live translate via airpods etc, you need apple intellengence turned on, the languages downloaded and the latest firmware on the ipods. Don’t forget it’s not released in the EU yet.

 

[robcole2013]

For live translate via airpods etc, you need apple intellengence turned on, the languages downloaded and the latest firmware on the ipods. Don’t forget it’s not released in the EU yet.

I have the latest software, I’m in the UK & Apple Intelligence is switched on

 

[Dazzerukuk]

Open the translate app, click on the live button (airpod logo) and it works fine for me, (also in the UK).

Hear translations for nearby conversations using AirPods​

When someone nearby speaks to you in a different language, you can use Live Translation with AirPods—enabled by Apple Intelligence*—to hear what they’re saying translated into your preferred language in real time. The translated dialogue also appears on your iPhone.
Note: Live Translation with AirPods is supported on AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods Pro 3 paired with an iPhone 15 Pro or later when Apple Intelligence is turned on. AirPods must have the latest firmware. Live Translation isn’t available in all languages or regions**; this feature isn’t available in the EU. For more information on availability, see the iOS and iPadOS Feature Availability website.

1. Go to the Translate app
   
   on your iPhone.
2. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your device.
3. Tap Live.

 

[maxsquared]

I’ve downloaded all languages and it’s still not available, maybe because I am on iPhone 15 pro?

I got mine working now. Not sure how. Based on the UK. Maybe I just needed to download English US before using it?

 

[lcgarza10]

My AirPods Pro 2 are stuck with version 8A343A I dont know how to get out of the Beta Program for AirPods Pro 2
any idea?