Apple Releases New AirPods Max Firmware With Lossless and Low-Latency Audio Support [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Update 4/2/25: Apple has updated an AirPods support page to indicate that the AirPods Max (USB-C) firmware update version 7E99 is now "coming soon." The original article continues below.



Apple today released a new firmware update for the USB-C version of the AirPods Max headphones. The new firmware is version 7E99, up from the prior 7A291 firmware the device was previously running.

When paired with the iOS 18.4 update, the new AirPods Max firmware brings lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio to the USB-C version of the headphones. The USB-C AirPods Max support 24-bit 48 kHz lossless audio, which is designed to allow listeners to experience music the way the artist created it in the studio. Apple says lossless audio and Personalized Spatial Audio offer a “more sonically accurate, uncompressed, and immersive experience.”

With lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio support, music creators are able to use the AirPods Max to create and mix in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking, with just a USB-C cable and a Mac with Logic Pro or other music creation software.

Lossless audio and ultra-low latency is only available for the USB-C AirPods Max. The headphones need to be running the latest firmware and need to be paired with a device running iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, or macOS Sequoia 15.4.

Firmware can be installed by putting the AirPods Max in Bluetooth range of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that’s connected to Wi-Fi, and then plugging them in to charge. It can take up to 30 minutes for firmware to update.

You can check your firmware version by going to Settings > Bluetooth and selecting the Info button next to the AirPods Max when they are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Article Link: Apple Releases New AirPods Max Firmware With Lossless and Low-Latency Audio Support [Updated]

 

[0xjf]

Call me crazy, but I just bought the silver lightning model the other day even when I knew of this feature coming. That’s how much I hate the new colors. 😅

 

[spartan1967]

Nice little free upgrade with this one. Hope it works out.

 

[thadoggfather]

Call me crazy, but I just bought the silver lightning model the other day even when I knew of this feature coming. That’s how much I hate the new colors. 😅

Not crazy at all

Other than color and port they’re identical

Especially if savings are significant

 

[mlenger]

No update for the lightning version? I thought the only difference was the USB-C connector because of the EU ruling.

 

[Kylo83]

waiting on reviews to see if its worth getting

 

[swrobel]

So is this available over Bluetooth or not...?

 

[novagamer]

So is this available over Bluetooth or not...?

The update, yes.

The new functionality, no.

 

[Leyf]

The update is still not available in Europe.
The UK support page still shows the older firmware version as the latest one, unlike the Canadian one.

So is this available over Bluetooth or not...?

Lossless through Bluetooth doesn't exist.

 

[itsamacthing]

The Focal Bathys MG are way more compelling, this product should provide the same wirelessly over a custom chip

 

[teknikal90]

im willing to bet noone on macrumors (likely over the age of 35 on average) will be able to tell the difference.

 

[swrobel]

The new functionality, no.

So it's literally plug into your iPhone with a USB-C cable and you can have lossless? We truly have come full circle. Courage.

 

[SoldOnApple]

Looks like the doubters are wrong, Apple can do lossless over bluetooth on their own headphones after all.

 

[newton4000]

The Focal Bathys MG are way more compelling, this product should provide the same wirelessly over a custom chip

I would say the Focal Bathys are better - I have them. But:
1.Lossless with them is NOT over wireless. So same deal.
2.They are more expensive.
3.They are superior in sound - wider soundstage.
4. They are not integrated into the Apple Ecosystem.
5. They are not as comfortable (at least for me) and get warm.

 

[nicolas17]

Looks like the doubters are wrong, Apple can do lossless over bluetooth on their own headphones after all.

Where did you see that lossless is over Bluetooth? Apple's announcement makes it quite clear you have to use the USB-C cable.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

No update for the lightning version? I thought the only difference was the USB-C connector because of the EU ruling.

The lightning version already has low-latency. And it’s own “lossless”, though it’s technically not “lossless”, but if you can hear the difference between, umm a tree and the wood… the woods… uh, can you make it drink a duck’s back? And water is in there somewhere.

 

[ralphthemagi]

No update for the lightning version? I thought the only difference was the USB-C connector because of the EU ruling.

Maybe a bandwidth issue? Or simply no accessible DAC via Lightning.

Lightning can support USB 3.0 speeds, but in most of the controllers only USB 2.0 is supported. No idea why they did this. The only Lightning device I know of with USB 3.0 was the OG iPad Pro, but there may have been others.

 

[wwinter86]

Why not for lightning version? Same hardware apart from the port

 

[Geoffb9]

After how many years. Apple?

 

[Geoffb9]

Why not for lightning version? Same hardware apart from the port

You'll have to wait another 3-5 years for that firmware. /s

 

[wwinter86]

Not enough bandwidth.

Lightning can support USB 3.0 speeds, but in most of the controllers only USB 2.0 is supported. No idea why they did this. The only Lightning device I know of with USB 3.0 was the OG iPad Pro, but there may have been others.

USB 2.0 can support 48 kHz 24 bit lossless audio.
“
USB 2.0 can handle 48 kHz lossless audio without any issues. USB 2.0 provides a maximum data transfer rate of 480 Mbps (megabits per second). Lossless audio at 48 kHz with 24-bit depth in stereo typically requires around 2.3 Mbps. Even if you have multiple audio channels or higher sample rates, USB 2.0 offers more than sufficient bandwidth for lossless audio streaming.

It's worth noting that USB 2.0 is widely used in professional audio interfaces and equipment.”

 

[Leyf]

Maybe a bandwidth issue? Or simply no accessible DAC via Lightning.

Lightning can support USB 3.0 speeds, but in most of the controllers only USB 2.0 is supported. No idea why they did this. The only Lightning device I know of with USB 3.0 was the OG iPad Pro, but there may have been others.

2.0 bandwidth is more than enough for lossless.

 

[nicolas17]

Not enough bandwidth.

Lightning can support USB 3.0 speeds, but in most of the controllers only USB 2.0 is supported. No idea why they did this. The only Lightning device I know of with USB 3.0 was the OG iPad Pro, but there may have been others.

Are you seriously saying that USB 2 (480Mbps) doesn't have enough bandwidth for uncompressed audio?

Would that mean iPhone 16 can't give lossless audio to the AirPods Max because its USB-C connector only supports USB2?

 

[sherwinzadeh]

Now if they'd only make a FW update to unbrick my Gen 1

 

[Aero Leviathan]

Probably unintentional, but still, somewhat cruel of MacRumors to use a photo featuring one of the only colorways that can't receive this update (silver). There are some of us who refuse to upgrade to USB-C because it has never been made available in silver.

Starlight is NOT the same.