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Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max

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Apple today provided developers with a new beta firmware update for the AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max. The new beta has a version number of 5B5040c.

AirPods-Pro-Beta-Firmware.jpg

Apple has been providing beta updates for the AirPods since the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, and the firmware is limited to developers who can download it from the Developer Center. Installing the beta requires an iPhone running iOS 16, a Mac running the macOS Ventura beta, Xcode 14, 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.

There is no word on what is included in the beta firmware at this time. The prior version of the AirPods firmware added improvements to Automatic Switching and stability fixes.

Following testing, the software will come to all AirPods and it could potentially see a launch alongside iOS 16.1, which is also in testing.

Article Link: Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/10/07/apple-airpods-beta-firmware-update/
Nice. I had some connectivity problems where the noise cancellation dropped after using Siri. Hopefully this update solves it.
 
Octavius8 said:
Downgrading “old” AirPods ANC so the new feel like a true improvement
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I suspect they did something to the volume with ANC on the old Pros to decrease the vibration issues. I had a pair that was vibrating in the left bud, but suddenly the volume output from that bud was decreased and the vibration seemed lessened but was still present. Or maybe it’s not a software issue and just part of the sound degradation process/earbud failure, who knows.
 
I have not heard one peep here or in any other forum about what’s in these beta updates. I assume there are no release notes, but has anyone noticed any changes?
 
tgwaste said:
Automatic Switching is STILL an absolutely utter and horrific tragedy.
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What is the issue you’re having with the automatic switching? The annoyance I have right now is if I’m listening to a podcast with the AirPods connected to my phone, if someone else in the house uses my iPad to watch something, their audio replaces my podcast. That’s what I get for letting someone else use my iPad I guess, but it’s pretty annoying.
 
I do not believe you need to be running the Ventura beta to enable this (I believe you do need the Xcode beta, but the Xcode beta running on released Monterey appears to work just fine for this).
 
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Madmic23 said:
What is the issue you’re having with the automatic switching? The annoyance I have right now is if I’m listening to a podcast with the AirPods connected to my phone, if someone else in the house uses my iPad to watch something, their audio replaces my podcast. That’s what I get for letting someone else use my iPad I guess, but it’s pretty annoying.
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Yeah, this drives me nuts too. I'm pretty adamant now about not connecting my AirPods to my wife's laptop or phone.
 
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Hopefully it fixes my battery. My AirPods Max have been loosing 30% of their battery while in the case an hour since moving to iOS 16 (just checked that number today)!

Edit: I was just using my AirPods Max for Audible and they were at 20%. I kid you not, 5 minutes later, they’re dead. When I bought these things, I didn’t need to charge it for days on end! This is unacceptable.
 
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What's with Apple on not providing release notes for releases, isn't that breaking software engineering process and deliberately trying to be opaque?

My airpod pros (gen 1 and 2) have random pauses with Youtube on iphone, even after turning off adaptive transparency etc. Anyone else having this issue?
 
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Razor_Crest said:
Hopefully it fixes my battery. My AirPods Max have been loosing 30% of their battery while in the case an hour since moving to iOS 16 (just checked that number today)!

Edit: I was just using my AirPods Max for Audible and they were at 20%. I kid you not, 5 minutes later, they’re dead. When I bought these things, I didn’t need to charge it for days on end! This is unacceptable.
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That's nuts. I'm using iOS 16 and my APM have not seen any unusual battery drain. Have you tried resetting them?
 
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On my replacement iPods pro version 1, now out of warranty, the horrible screeching has started again just like the originals. Anyone had this problem with version 2? Wondering if the beta software might improve or cure this.
 
hsotnicam8002 said:
On my replacement iPods pro version 1, now out of warranty, the horrible screeching has started again just like the originals. Anyone had this problem with version 2? Wondering if the beta software might improve or cure this.
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I don't know if the beta fixes it, but I doubt it. The issue that causes the screeching is almost certainly hardware-related.

However, even if your first-generation APPs were manufactured after October 2020, which is when Apple claims the issue was addressed, Apple still seems to be replacing them free of charge under the Service Program. I had a post-October 2020 pair replaced under the program just a few days ago.
 
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japanime said:
I don't know if the beta fixes it, but I doubt it. The issue that causes the screeching is almost certainly hardware-related.

However, even if your first-generation APPs were manufactured after October 2020, which is when Apple claims the issue was addressed, Apple still seems to be replacing them free of charge under the Service Program. I had a post-October 2020 pair replaced under the program just a few days ago.
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One of my 1st gen APPs were denied repair for the "screeching" because 1) they were out of warranty and 2) they were manufactured after the magical arbitrary October 2020 date. I've got a replacement pair for another malfunctioning set currently in the mail from Apple that were manufactured after 10/20 but were still in warranty.

So, YMMV.
 
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