Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I've dutifully plugged in my AirPods case to power and brought in my iPhone to sit next to it, and it shows the AirPods as connected. They've been like that for like an hour and just checked the firmware which still shows as an old version. Why can't this work like every other rApple product where I click a button or whatever and it does the update?

Do you have any motivation to actually want this update?
 
Without a nearby Apple device, exactly how are the AirPods in your pocket going to tell you that you left them behind at the Apple Store?
 
Last edited:
I've dutifully plugged in my AirPods case to power and brought in my iPhone to sit next to it, and it shows the AirPods as connected. They've been like that for like an hour and just checked the firmware which still shows as an old version. Why can't this work like every other rApple product where I click a button or whatever and it does the update?
Maybe the point is not to worry about babying the update, let go and let the update happen whenever it happens?
 
  • Like
Reactions: cyanite and brucemr
So literally like 1 out of every 100,000 airpod owners...I highly doubt those people will give two craps about a firmware update...but hey, it's an option.
While these days I am more apt to agree with you, a couple years ago there was no good Android equivalent for airpods pros, so I would have loved this more than having to ask my friends if I could link to their iPhone for the afternoon in hopes it would auto update. I knew many other android users in the same situation.

These days...just use pixel puds, samsung, bose, sony, etc...so it does seem a little late.
 
Or just, you know, make an Android app for that.

There's even an AirTags locator app for Android and you can't even use AirTags with an Android device.
Apple software is not available on the internet. Bluetooth connections can be detected.

Installing Apple software requires illegally cracking it and bypassing the many anti-3rd party install measures both the software and device have.

Please do some slight research or ask a friend who’s written a line of code before self-righteously commenting.
 
Why does this article remind me of people lining up in front of the Apple Store? You guys remember this? Good Times!

View attachment 2187535

I remember those days. The wife and I loved waiting in line in San Jose. The Valley Fair Apple Store always had people playing live music, Starbucks with free coffee carts and Cheesecake Factory would come around with appetizers. The good ole days!
 
If you needed to update the firmware on your AirPods and didn't have an Apple device, even before this you could go to the Apple store to get the update... It's called buy an Apple device to use them with 🤦‍♂️


Seriously, who would buy AirPods and not have a single Apple device to use them with. Sure you can manually pair them to an android phone or even a PC I guess but why? There are better and cheaper options if you're not going to use any of the features that only work with Apple products.
 


Apple's AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max headphones regularly receive over-the-air firmware updates that are installed through an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, but for those who do not have an Apple device, there is no way to get new firmware on their own.

airpods-pro-1-cyber.jpg

In an updated AirPods firmware support document, Apple today addressed this situation, recommending those without an Apple device visit an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider to update their firmware. From the support document:Visiting a retail location just for firmware is inconvenient, but it stands to reason that most people who own AirPods have an Apple device of some kind. Android users and PC users will not be able to install firmware updates from their devices because Apple does not make any kind of AirPods management app for those platforms. Apple does have a Beats app for Android devices that allows firmware to be updated.


Apple also updated the document to clarify that firmware updates are installed automatically when the AirPods are charging and are within range of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that is connected to WiFi.

New AirPods firmware was released today, with firmware 5E133 bringing bug fixes and other improvements to the AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max.

Article Link: AirPods Users Without a Nearby Apple Device Can Visit an Apple Store to Update Firmware
Someone at Apple must have misread the date as Apr. 1 ;)
AirPods 2, Updated Flawlessly! It went much better than expected. Within 10 minutes, my AirPods 2 received the new firmware, early this afternoon.
I turned on Bluetooth, paired them with my iPhone, which was already on Wi-Fi, and the correct, new firmware was rapidly installed.
Now I get to see if there’s any improvements or problems…🖖
 
Would it be that difficult to build a dedicated AirPods app?
or even a button like the HomePod, when there is an update available you can press the button and update it using the Home App.
Seems very odd that there's not such an option in the settings app when the airpods are connected and there is an update available....
 
Visiting a retail location just for firmware is inconvenient, but it stands to reason that most people who own AirPods have an Apple device of some kind. Android users and PC users will not be able to install firmware updates from their devices because Apple does not make any kind of AirPods management app for those platforms.
Well, there is a solution, but it'll cost them at least $500 and willing to ditch their stolen product named Android phones for iPhone.

Why would you have an AirPods if you have an Android Phones? Steve Jobs would have you beaten up if he saw that......
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: freedomlinux
All those people whining about the update process have never had to update firmware on a factory stereo in a car from Korea or Germany.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jlc1978
To weaken the ANC? No thanks.

How did you reach that conclusion? The linked Apple support document only gave a general bug fix statement.

I think it's rather absurd that they need firmware updates at all...

Not that unusual, I've had a number of headphones over the years that had firmware updates. Some required Windows to run the installer.

Why can't they just do it through iTunes or a separate program that only updates the firmware like every other company, it's pathetic.

While that would be nice, many people would never know there was an update and don't regularly plug their device into iTunes. In addition, most non-Apple users probably don't even have iTunes installed so if it was the way they'd be notified they would never get a notification.
 
Tesla: Behaves like a tech company and has full OTA software/firmware updates for their cars.
Apple: Behaves like a legacy auto company and requires customers to visit dealers stores for software updates.

It's just a joke. Although on a more serious note, the breakdown of my airpod usage is probably 70% Nintendo Switch, 20% Windows, 10% iPhone. I don't want a newer iPhone (too expensive, no interesting features), but Apple won't continue to support my 8+, so I may switch to Android... then I will be in the group that needs to do this... if I cared to ever update the firmware, which I really don't.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.