Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware

[Alpha Centauri]

Did you go in and change the new Adaptive setting to less noise yet? That made it finally somewhat work like I expected it to from the first commercials, it block most of the noise say at the gym but if something drops it lets that cut in and then back out. Before that setting I never really used it as it seemed like a worse version of both ANC and transparency, but this is kind of useful now

I really wish they had a full nuclear ANC mode where traffic and safety etc isn't an issue, if it's true that they did de-tune ANC

I didn't but I did go from 6F8 to the last update, and now to the just released one.

I did notice then immediately that also the mid bass was way too strong suddenly and the highs became "painful". Some commentators here defined it as opening up the highs but it just wasn't right (shrill). I've just in the last hour updated and so far I'm very glad that's at least fixed OR re-fixed.

One thing I still don't get is why Noise Cancellation must include Adaptive function when one speaks? It's still the case now on this update and honestly, wasn't that the whole point of then choosing Adaptive in the first place? Why this hybrid without accessing pure Noise Cancellation as it used to be?

For now I'm happy that my clarity of music has returned where it was. I'll test Noise Cancellation when actually out and about and report back.

 

[tipoo]

One thing I still don't get is why Noise Cancellation must include Adaptive function when one speaks? It's still the case now on this update and honestly, wasn't that the whole point of then choosing Adaptive in the first place? Why this hybrid without accessing pure Noise Cancellation as it used to be?

For now I'm happy that my clarity of music has returned where it was. I'll test Noise Cancellation when actually out and about and report back.

Just when someone speaks? That's conversation awareness, you can turn that off too?

 

[Peter Alexander]

I read the article about new update on the AirPods Pro 2 … went to the official Apple website regarding latest firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and saw there was an update . I plugged my AirPods 2 to my iPhone 16promax via usb c and 10 mins later it updated to 7A305

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Just when someone speaks? That's conversation awareness, you can turn that off too?

Yes yes, conversation awareness. But on version 6F8 and prior Noise Cancellation was just that and nothing would interrupt it. That's what Adaptive was actually for, the point of having Noise Cancellation BUT if you spoke, it would lower the volume. Unticking the option for conversation awareness is a nuke global option. Hence I call noise cancellation in the current state a hybrid with much less control that we used to have recently.

 

[Itaest]

Apple today released a new firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2, with the software available for both the USB-C and Lightning models. The AirPods Pro 2 firmware has a build number of 7A305, up from the 7A302 firmware released earlier in September.

There is no word yet on what's included in the firmware, but Apple is planning to add hearing aid and hearing test features to the AirPods Pro 2 in the not too distant future.

The firmware update could potentially lay the groundwork for those capabilities ahead of when the full feature set comes out in an iOS 18 update. Apple has already received FDA approval for the hearing aid functionality for the AirPods Pro 2.

Apple doesn't have a way to manually upgrade AirPods software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air when the AirPods are in a charging case and connected to an iOS device or Mac.

Article Link: Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware

Ever since this update, the connection isn’t clear and it cuts out and it sounds very static like. Something is screwed up with this update. I can’t even use my air pods currently. Hopefully Apple gets their act together and rolls out a fix for this.

 

[toasted ICT]

Apple today released a new firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2, with the software available for both the USB-C and Lightning models. The AirPods Pro 2 firmware has a build number of 7A305, up from the 7A302 firmware released earlier in September.

There is no word yet on what's included in the firmware, but Apple is planning to add hearing aid and hearing test features to the AirPods Pro 2 in the not too distant future.

The firmware update could potentially lay the groundwork for those capabilities ahead of when the full feature set comes out in an iOS 18 update. Apple has already received FDA approval for the hearing aid functionality for the AirPods Pro 2.

Apple doesn't have a way to manually upgrade AirPods software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air when the AirPods are in a charging case and connected to an iOS device or Mac.

Article Link: Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware

Yet another firmware update.
Yet another "There is no word yet on what's included in the firmware" useless article

 

[TokyoKiller]

Apple really forgot the Airpods Pro 1 didn't they?

What are you looking for exactly? Is anything not working or is there an issue that needs addressing with the Gen 1’s?

 

[Earendil]

Mine have been randomly disconnecting after updating to the most recent iOS 18 beta. I hope that this will fix the problem, otherwise I'll be forced to hand them over to Apple and hope that they get exchanged.

Or forced to stop running beta software on devices you want to consistently work?

I don't think I have ever owned an Apple hardware product that has seen so many firmware updates from the point I've owned it! And I've owned many Apple hardware since 1990!

Firmware or software? Rarely are firmware updates significant enough to warrant an article. I think these ones only are because we’re waiting for the eating aid/test feature.

Don’t know why you are excited since the hearing aid requires an iphone. Regular hearing aids function without additional external hardware.

Only to set up, right? Otherwise I don’t see how the phone can be remotely in the loop, as the delay would be too long. This feature is effectively reverse noise cancelation with even less delay and more accuracy in frequency generation.

 

[The Mercurian]

Don’t know why you are excited since the hearing aid requires an iphone. Regular hearing aids function without additional external hardware.

Dont' know why you are not excited since regular hearing aids cost more than buying Airpods 2 + and iphone + an apple watch.... And even if you don't want to use hearing aids that tied to the phone, the mere fact that they are doing this will eventually force the hearing aid companies to charge less.

 

[larford2]

Sometime between iOS 17.6 and 17.7 and the next-to-last AirPods Pro update, I’ve found that my APPv2s won’t stay in Custom Transparency Mode with Amplification, aka ‘poor man’s hearing aid up until the FDA OtC decision’.
This is a problem I’ve periodically had since I started using APPv1 a few years back, when Apple first released the Accessibility feature. It’s infuriating that it is happening this far into the development cycle of iOS/APPv2, and makes being hard-of-hearing WORSE because when it happens I can’t tell the APPv2s have become non-functional because, well, I can’t hear! LOL It’s only after frustration from not hearing people speaking to me, excusing myself, taking a deep dive into the Control Center for Hearing Accessibility that I discover: oh, it’s not working BECAUSE it’s not even ENABLED any longer!
It had worked good from when I’d been using it successfully under iOS 16-something—after several bouts of regression—into iOS 17 up through 17.6, with only 1 or 2 regressions. I’m pretty certain it was either 17.6.1 or the APPv2 update that killed it, but since they were coincidental, and I can’t downgrade, I can’t pinpoint. And Apple Support is less than helpful even though I have AppleCare; clearly Accessibility Features aren’t a priority in Support, because they don’t have dedicated Accessibility support staff.
All in all, very infuriating and disappointing heading into what (I think) should be (what I -want to be-) a hopeful time for us moderate HoH users with the OtC feature on the near-horizon.

Ditto your experiences. iOS 17.7 killed the Headphones Accommodations pane and that continued with iOS 18 betas. I dutifully reported the issue as a beta users and they acknowledged the known issue(s). What the developer team did not realize is that the beta regressions somehow prevented their fixes from fixing. Many hours on the phone with support and in person at the Genius Bar *after* the public release of 18, it came known that the problem was 17.7+ and the 18 beta2 corrupted something deeper and it required an "erase and install as new" iPhone and fresh copy of 18. a real PIA but problem solved!

Next, the latest APP2 firmware 7A305. Not only did that fix Adaptive Transparency (it now works better/faster than ever!), it also allows the AAP2 Headphones Accommodation settings to stay attached to the buds even when the iPhone is not nearby. Not only does it stay connected when it needs to, it no longer requires a toggle off/on in Control Center to re-establish HA settings. Additionally, Conversation Boost works much better and Ambient Noise Reduction now works with Conversation Boost---great for conversing over dinner in a noisy restaurant, for example. Like real hearing aids.

Apple software team is getting ready to launch AAP2 as OTC hearing aids and they will be freaking awesome! I've tried the Sony and Sennheiser OTC ear buds and APP2 simply blows then away---even as they did not work consistently--- and at a fraction of the cost. It would be nice if AAP3 would be a little smaller and come in beige or black.

 

[ISKOTB]

Mine have been randomly disconnecting after updating to the most recent iOS 18 beta. I hope that this will fix the problem, otherwise I'll be forced to hand them over to Apple and hope that they get exchanged.

I had to reset it and then this issue is gone now.

 

[Ulukita]

I'm confused. How do you connect them to an iPhone or Mac while they're in the charging case?

Serious question!

First listen to music on them briefly like 10 seconds. Then place them back in the case and connect them to a power source via cable or MagSafe and place them next to your iPhone. Let them remain next to each other for about 15 mins then check to see that the update version number has changed in settings. This method always works for me.

I'm confused. How do you connect them to an iPhone or Mac while they're in the charging case?

Serious question!

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

To update, tap your head and rub your stomach whilst turning clockwise 3 times (anti-clockwise in Australia), chanting "Timmy C." Have your left pod in your ear and the right near a fruit bowl. This ALWAYS works about 3% of the time.

MAAAAAAN!!!!!.......

this whole time ive been TAPPING my stomach and RUBBING my head SMH

no! siri, im trying to answer that call not deny it!!!!.....fuuudge, now she'll never call back!!!....

Gee, thanks, Timmy.

 

[maxfromdenmark]

Contacting to the nearest voodoo consultant usually helps with getting update…

 

[msackey]

Firmware or software? Rarely are firmware updates significant enough to warrant an article. I think these ones only are because we’re waiting for the eating aid/test feature.

Firmware. If it’s software, then the Apple hardware I’ve owned has seen lots of software updates.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Just checked my firmware. 5E135? What the hell?

Mine won't update beyond 6A326. I've tried every method with both Mac and iDevice connections, including giving them well over 24 hours to finally update. They will NOT. Gave up.

 

[4k78]

Mine won't update beyond 6A326. I've tried every method with both Mac and iDevice connections, including giving them well over 24 hours to finally update. They will NOT. Gave up.

Why doesn’t Apple just have a way to manually update the firmware. 🤦🏻‍♂️

 

[Scotty_Trees]

Mine have been randomly disconnecting after updating to the most recent iOS 18 beta. I hope that this will fix the problem, otherwise I'll be forced to hand them over to Apple and hope that they get exchanged.

Weird, totally doesn't have anything to do with being on beta software, hmmmmmmmmm.

 

[mfram]

With the 7A302 firmware and iOS 18, something was screwed up with the APP2 Headphone Accommodations. I have an audiogram entered because of my hearing loss. Somehow, the sound wasn't being adjusted properly with iOS 18 and that firmware. It was almost as if the audiogram data wasn't being used at all. The sound profile was way off. Now with 7A305, it sounds much better and actually seems like the audiogram data is being used. I assume the update has to do with that functionality and the upcoming Hearing Aid functionality.

 

[Tomm1000]

Alert: no one really knows how to 'force' an update so don't ask.

Connect the airpods case to the iPhone with a cable, take out the airpods and put them in the case, wait a moment and you will get the update

 

[Telesmurfen]

I know that «the ANC got worse» is a repeated phrase in these kind of threads (like the voodoo moves to make them update and Safari got snappier), but since the last update (and including this last one), I really feel like the ANC has become worse. The settings are correct, but it seems to let in more noise than before. Just an hour ago, I went for a walk. In front of a house, there was a man with a leaf blower, and I could hear that leaf blower from several meters away. Not as clear as if transparency mode was active, but still enough to hear it while I was having a call. It seems to be a bit better if I’m listening to music, but on phone calls, or with no media playing, it seems to let in more of the outside. Has anybody else experienced the same? (And yes, noise cancellation is turned on).

 

[addamas]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/bitrate-drop-distorsion-on-7a305-airpods-pro-2-usb-c.2438379/

I face real quality / connection problems with this update.

 

[phobrla]

On the previous build I was experiencing tinny and stuttery audio with my AirPods Pro 2; no longer occurring on 7A305!

EDIT: Definitely still occurring on 7A305; I have submitted FB15332829 for this.

 

[windywalks]

Weird, totally doesn't have anything to do with being on beta software, hmmmmmmmmm.

What a helpful tip!
I wouldn't have even mentioned this, if it had occurred once since I've been using beta iOS software, and that has been ages.
In the end my AirPods got exchanged for connectivity issues, so that's that.

 

[Okicowboy]

Ditto your experiences. iOS 17.7 killed the Headphones Accommodations pane and that continued with iOS 18 betas. I dutifully reported the issue as a beta users and they acknowledged the known issue(s). What the developer team did not realize is that the beta regressions somehow prevented their fixes from fixing. Many hours on the phone with support and in person at the Genius Bar *after* the public release of 18, it came known that the problem was 17.7+ and the 18 beta2 corrupted something deeper and it required an "erase and install as new" iPhone and fresh copy of 18. a real PIA but problem solved!

Next, the latest APP2 firmware 7A305. Not only did that fix Adaptive Transparency (it now works better/faster than ever!), it also allows the AAP2 Headphones Accommodation settings to stay attached to the buds even when the iPhone is not nearby. Not only does it stay connected when it needs to, it no longer requires a toggle off/on in Control Center to re-establish HA settings. Additionally, Conversation Boost works much better and Ambient Noise Reduction now works with Conversation Boost---great for conversing over dinner in a noisy restaurant, for example. Like real hearing aids.

Apple software team is getting ready to launch AAP2 as OTC hearing aids and they will be freaking awesome! I've tried the Sony and Sennheiser OTC ear buds and APP2 simply blows then away---even as they did not work consistently--- and at a fraction of the cost. It would be nice if AAP3 would be a little smaller and come in beige or black.

I use the Sony but I prefer app2 for comfort so am so stroked to hear they are updating for hearing aid purposes. A color other than white would be nice, but not a requirement