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Following the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote in June, Apple provided developers with a beta firmware for several AirPods models, including the second-generation AirPods, third-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Apple today updated that firmware, with the version number going from 5A5282d to 5A304a.

AirPods-Pro-Beta-Firmware.jpg

The updated AirPods firmware is limited to developers, who can download the software from the More Downloads page on the Apple developer website. Installing the beta requires an iPhone running the iOS 16 beta, a Mac running the macOS Ventura beta, Xcode 14 beta, and supported AirPods.

Developers are required to pair the AirPods with an iPhone, connect the iPhone to a Mac with a Lightning cable, launch Xcode 14 beta on the Mac, navigate to Settings → Developer, and choose Pre-Release Beta Firmware under the AirPods Testing section. Subsequent updates are delivered over the air once the pre-release testing option is enabled.

According to Apple, the beta firmware includes improvements to Automatic Switching as well as bug and stability fixes. The software will eventually come to all AirPods after testing is finished, and it could see a release this fall alongside iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, tvOS 16, and watchOS 9.

Article Link: Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max
 
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Yeah, this seems totally reliable...good it is limited to developers, and hopefully the complex method will keep curious enthusiasts away as well. Hope some learned from the death HomePods from last year.
 
Yeah, this seems totally reliable...good it is limited to developers, and hopefully the complex method will keep curious enthusiasts away as well. Hope some learned from the death HomePods from last year.

An official public beta program is coming soon this summer for the homepods, for the first time ever. Should be a lot safer.
 
"Apple today updated that firmware, with the version number going from 5A5282d to 5A5304a."

The current firmware stated in the article is incorrect. It's not 5A5282d - it's just 5A282d
 
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I really hope Apple improves the automatic connection feature, cuz it's very buggy to say the least.
It often connects to the wrong device, switches device without asking, sometimes not able to change volume of the earpieces, and so on.
 
An official public beta program is coming soon this summer for the homepods, for the first time ever. Should be a lot safer.

We'll see, not risking my OG HomePods tough.
 
I really hope Apple improves the automatic connection feature, cuz it's very buggy to say the least.
It often connects to the wrong device, switches device without asking, sometimes not able to change volume of the earpieces, and so on.
Well.. there is this right in the post

According to Apple, the beta firmware includes improvements to Automatic Switching
 
I really hope Apple improves the automatic connection feature, cuz it's very buggy to say the least.
It often connects to the wrong device, switches device without asking, sometimes not able to change volume of the earpieces, and so on.

But is it behaving correctly? I've started using AirPods more recently. When connected to my laptop, and then I grab my phone (waking it up), they switch over to the phone automatically. They are assuming that is device that I'm now using, and then they switch back to the laptop when I'm done with the phone. Seems reasonable, if not spooky. But this is fully configurable, too.
 
But is it behaving correctly? I've started using AirPods more recently. When connected to my laptop, and then I grab my phone (waking it up), they switch over to the phone automatically. They are assuming that is device that I'm now using, and then they switch back to the laptop when I'm done with the phone. Seems reasonable, if not spooky. But this is fully configurable, too.
I think the main issue is it changes devices while you're actively listening/watching something on the first device. If they are connected to my ipad and i'm watching a video, then pick up my phone to read a text message-they switch to my phone and suddenly i have the sound from the ipad is coming through it's speakers which is jarring. Espeically to anyone else in the room. Yes, it's configurable (thank goodness), but I think it shouldn't switch devices when there is already sound coming throught the airpods.
 
Good that two years after you bought a device that is supposed to do the automatic switch, they try to get it to actually work.
 
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I just want a design that prevents my AirPods Pro from flying out of the case and across the yard when I drop them.
You could buy a nice case for your AirPods Pro case that covers the lid a bit. I have one for my regular AirPods by a company called Catalyst. I bought it specifically because I was tired of dropping the AirPods case on the ground, scattering the AirPods across the floor, as you mentioned. This seems to protect them a bit more, and it works really well. Best of luck!
 
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I NEED to update my AirPods right now but Apple makes it too hard. How can I continue living without this update? Why does Apple hate its customers so much? Guess I have to throw them out now.

/s
 
We'll see, not risking my OG HomePods tough.

@JCCL


Oh, me neither, I never use any beta software at all in my devices. But for people that do, this is going to be a lot safer than installing a private dev profile leaked on the web ... a little bit shady, if you ask me. If you are not a dev and a public beta does not exist, then for the love of god, stop messing around.


IOS 16 beta 2 even has a dedicated menu to manage the upcoming homepod OS public beta software.
 
But is it behaving correctly? I've started using AirPods more recently. When connected to my laptop, and then I grab my phone (waking it up), they switch over to the phone automatically. They are assuming that is device that I'm now using, and then they switch back to the laptop when I'm done with the phone. Seems reasonable, if not spooky. But this is fully configurable, too.
If i'm watching a video on my mac, and i grab my phone, i don't want AirPods to switch to the iPhone.
There are other cases they behave incorrectly, but that is the most stupid one.
 
Further clarification from Apple to make the update process more simpler and intuitive than initially announced:

Wait until it grows dark outside, because it is better to perform a firmware update ritual at night than during the day. Make sure that you place incense around the ritual area and the WiFi router. You should also choose five candles of the same color.

Next, draw a pentagram on the flooring beneath you. To do that, create a large circle with a star in the middle. Make sure your lines are all perfectly straight by using a rope, a ruler, or anything else that can help guide you.

Place the five candles that you have collected onto the five points of the pentagram. Light each of them to represent the different elements of Apple being used in this firmware update — iPhone , Watch, iPad, iMac and AirPods. To summon the firmware, you should be able to close your eyes and visualize it while reciting the Apple prayer out loud:

“Lord Tim, by your grace, grant me, I pray thee the power to conceive in my mind and to execute this new firmware update into thy AirPods that which I desire to do, the end which I would attain by thy help, O Mighty Tim, who livest and reignest forever and ever.”

Your AirPods will then be updated with the new firmware.
 
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