Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware With iOS 27 Features

[MacRumors]

Apple today released a third version of the beta firmware it is testing for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware is limited to developers at the current time, and it has a build number of 9A5314b.

In iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, Apple is adding a new AirPods interface, a slider for Adaptive mode, and support for custom EQ, so the firmware adds support for those features. AirPods are also compatible with the new Siri AI.

When the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 or later, there is a beta firmware option that can be accessed in the AirPods settings interface. Toggling on beta updates allows users to install the beta firmware.

Firmware updates can be downloaded by connecting the AirPods to an Apple device and connecting them to power. It can take a few hours for new firmware to be installed because there is no straightforward software update option like there is for other Apple devices.

Article Link: Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware With iOS 27 Features

 

[BeatsByTim]

Airpod in one ear, hammer in the other.

 

[iLuddite]

Ten builds up, cute

 

[ghostface147]

Ok, time to listen to a few songs or watch a video and put them down. They update overnight that way for me. YMMV

 

[zoomp]

EQ is a game changer for apple. Finally. How many steps in the EQ? Is it parametric?

 

[ZachFawaz]

last 2 have been terrible. Hopefully this fixes the issues I’ve been having with adaptive mode and the constant “volume change” sound playing while I have it active on my AirPods Pro 3

 

[DaveMcM76]

Don’t know if it was an iOS 27b2 issue or the previous AirPods beta firmware issue but my Pro 2s kept losing the ability to change volume by swiping on the stem - I'd get the audible volume change feedback but the volume didn’t actually change, needing a reboot of the phone to get it back again. Hopefully that will be fixed by a combination of this update and iOS 27b3

 

[nickbatz]

EQ is a game changer for apple. Finally. How many steps in the EQ? Is it parametric?

Yup, a major feature if you have any of the AirPods, because they (at least the Pro 2, Pro 3, and Max) have a big dip in the intelligibility range - where hi-hats are, for example - and need it. The lack of it on iPhones has been frustrating me for a long time.

It may be like the 10-band graphic one in the Mac version of Music, but I don't know. However, my understanding is that the iOS 27 EQ settings are stored in the headphones rather than the iPhone, so you need newer AirPods for it to work. That excludes the original AirPods Max. 🙁

One thing I discovered recently is that if you go into Accessibility-> Audio & Visual -> Headphone Accommodations, there's an Audio Tuning feature with a Brightness setting that make a huge difference. There's no good preset EQ setting among the silly ones in the Music app.

Also, you can use something like the Mimi hearing app to do a hearing test, and then (in the same place) choose an inverse curve. That's not an EQ, but it's something.

 

[Broken Hope]

Anyone actually received this yet?

 

[jbachandouris]

Anyone actually received this yet?

Neither my APP3 nor my Aipod Max 2 have updated. At home. On WiFi. All devices plugged in.

 

[uczcret]

Anyone actually received this yet?

Nothing here on my APP2.

 

[rolan2q]

So what’s new?

 

[jbachandouris]

So what’s new?

Since many of us still haven’t gotten it, who knows?

 

[MrENGLISH]

It’s 2026. I don't understand why Apple makes it so difficult for consumers to update their AirPods. 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

 

[TomaxXamot]

I wish Powerbeats Pro 2’s (and Beats in general) would get more updates, especially the missing features tgat AirPods Pro have. Also hope Beats products get access to the new EQ.

 

[Lost Hills]

The equalizer is really great. I could never get it to sound like this with those lousy preset things

 

[jbachandouris]

9pm EST. Neither have updated.

 

[Lost Hills]

it will, happened pretty quick for me. 3 band EQ but an amazing improvement at this stage i think

 

[iLuddite]

My AirPods (Pro 2) updated to the new beta hours ago but it took their case until just recently to update…if your AirPods/case do(es)n’t update I would suggest resetting the ‘Pods by holding the rear button until the front light turns orange and then white again; two different tones will also sound. Then make sure beta updates are enabled again after quick/familiar AirPods setup process and be prepared to wait, as per usual.

Godspeed brave AirPods beta testers! 🫡

 

[Lost Hills]

odd my case updated to the beta first

 

[LelandHendrix]

Is this it, and could there be a typo in the copy that adds a 5?? I'm guessing not, but I'm just curious. I don't know the numbering conventions for these versions

 

[jbachandouris]

it will, happened pretty quick for me. 3 band EQ but an amazing improvement at this stage i think

It will? All day on home WiFi. All devices plugged in.

Update. 11:50pm EST. Still nothing.

 

[uczcret]

View attachment 2643917
Is this it, and could there be a typo in the copy that adds a 5?? I'm guessing not, but I'm just curious. I don't know the numbering conventions for these versions

Yes, this is it. MR keep adding a 5 in the build number for no apparent reason. They’ve been doing it with all OS 26 and 27 AirPods beta firmware, very confusing.

My APP2 have only updated the case thus far, not the headphones though.

 

[one more]

My AP4 ANC are still on 9A304b. Have tried all the usual update rituals, they seem to resist. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Edit: everything updated last night by itself.

 

[rolan2q]

APP2 updated. APM2 and AP4 ANC still on 9A304b.