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

[- rob -]

Its tempting to install this on my APP2 since they are so awful buggy right now.

They do feel buggy compared to gen one. I’ve had an unexpected battery drain, random disconnects from iPhone. They also didn’t just work out of the box, I had to plug them into a lighting cable.

When I bought these things, I didn’t need to charge it for days on end! This is unacceptable.

I agree the Max battery seems like it isn’t as good as it was.

Doesn't anyone else think it's ridiculous that apple expects developers to test new software w/o providing any indication of what changed?

If the changes under test weren’t going to become fodder for YouTubers and articles on sites like this, it might be more weird. Fwiw, all beta stuff used to be covered by NDA (which was frequently broken).

The helpful developer testing a beta release does not exist in a vacuum.

 

[pdaholic]

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.

I'm also wondering if/when the second gen APPs will start having the screeching problem as well. I've purchased 3 pairs of the originals, all developed the problem. I'm holding off on purchasing the second gen until we are sure they are more reliable.

 

[WU27f1xcCs]

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?

Have you seen this forum post:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/airpod-pro-2-youtube-not-working.2363339/

 

[addamas]

Just hope that this will lead to fixing unresponsible black screen on Lock Screen when pairing AirPods.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/screen-stays-black-and-wont-turn-on-when-connecting-airpods.2364057/?post=31597975#post-31597975

 

[JustSomebody12]

They got it right on the very first firmware for the Gen 1 Pro’s but then ****ed it up gradually in every subsequent firmware "upgrade" afterwards.

It’s better in the Gen 2’s then it is in the Gen 1’s but it’s not totally amazing.

The main problem of ANC is that it can fully isolate you from the environment.

good if you are busy studying/working in a loud environment, but bad if you are walking across the city and isolate from anything around you.

 

[MaaK]

They got it right on the very first firmware for the Gen 1 Pro’s but then ****ed it up gradually in every subsequent firmware "upgrade" afterwards.

It’s better in the Gen 2’s then it is in the Gen 1’s but it’s not totally amazing.

That’s true.
The first gen APP started with AMAZING ANC. After that it got worse. The new APPs offer worse ANC than the original APP did in the beginning. I don’t understand what Apple is doing.

 

[MaaK]

The main problem of ANC is that it can fully isolate you from the environment.

good if you are busy studying/working in a loud environment, but bad if you are walking across the city and isolate from anything around you.

True, but isn’t that what ANC is all about? If you are walking on a street with full ANC on and get into an accident it‘s kind of your won fault.

 

[teh_hunterer]

Why? I have have never had issues and works flawlessly for me

You're lucky. Pretty much every day since automatic switching was introduced, I've found it to be an unmitigated disaster. You just can't rely on it because it screws up at least once or twice a day.

 

[amaze1499]

You're lucky. Pretty much every day since automatic switching was introduced, I've found it to be an unmitigated disaster. You just can't rely on it because it screws up at least once or twice a day.

Same experience with my new AirPods 3. They seem to connect, but microphone is not working. Either I have to pair them again or turn off bluetooth on all other devices. So, yes. it does not do what they said in the keynote it would. Bottomline: Automatic switching does not work as advertised.

 

[Fatboy71]

Heres hoping this brings back the great standby battery life I got with 4A400 on my AirPods Max. Prior to 4A400 and later firmware, I was/am losing around 10 percent whilst in the case, over a 18-24 hour period. With 4A400 I was only losing 0-2 percent.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Nope, ANC is one thing Apple got right on the AP2!

I agree. I need to do so,e more testing but it’s almost as good if not as good as 5e ANC on my AirPods max and that is crazy. I always thought ANC was lacking on my first gen but I have no complaints with the second gen.

 

[markbrads]

When using my AP2s everybody complains about the call/voice quality, original APPs sound far superior everybody says, lets's hope Apple fix that soon please.

 

[df22799]

automatic switching plus picking horrible background noises in calls are the worst and still not solved issues! I don't need "perfect" ANC isolating me from the world, give those powerfull chips H1/2 the task to make calls at least as good as trusty old Plantronics Edge...!!!

 

[MaxBurn]

Oh no, is this the one that will mess up noise cancellation?

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Automatic Switching is STILL an absolutely utter and horrific tragedy.

I’ve actually managed to have audio output from two different devices play at the same time. I don’t know what triggered it but it’s happened several times.

I wish audio from two devices at one was a feature since the auto switching usually happens between two or three devices at most.

 

[Green Valkyrie]

Oh no, is this the one that will mess up noise cancellation?

Having just arrived at the Airpods Pro party I'm wondering the same. Presumably one can choose not to install these upgrades? I'm perfectly happy with my new APP2s and see no reason to risk the ANC for "improvements" I don't need.

 

[acblue94]

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.

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

15 months past and my AirPod Max still haven’t updated a firmware form back then .

 

[jeffjank33]

When using my AP2s everybody complains about the call/voice quality, original APPs sound far superior everybody says, lets's hope Apple fix that soon please.

Me too, ppl complain they can’t hear me. Been a pita..

 

[whirldy]

5B40c installed 🤫

 

[mjs916]

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.

Slightly easier than installing a regular firmware update!

 

[supergt]

Having just arrived at the Airpods Pro party I'm wondering the same. Presumably one can choose not to install these upgrades? I'm perfectly happy with my new APP2s and see no reason to risk the ANC for "improvements" I don't need.

This is a beta firmware update. When Apple pushes the actual update you’ll have no choice and the airpods will update automatically. It’s very frustrating and anti consumer.

 

[sammcj]

The last released update has this effect for me:

1. Slightly reduced bottom end (bass).
2. Noticeably less effective noise cancellation (ANC).

I wonder why the did this - here's hoping this update reverses it.

 

[vince22]

I've just installed beta 5B40c with my AirPods Pro.

 

[Maniamac]

I've installed the beta on AirPods 2, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. I can report one annoying issue has been fixed for me (so far): AirPods Max often would not automatically switch or even manually connect to my Mac unless I restarted them. My AirPods Pro 2 haven't taken the beta yet, though, and it's been more than 24 hours, so I don't know what's going on there....

 

[JustSomebody12]

True, but isn’t that what ANC is all about? If you are walking on a street with full ANC on and get into an accident it‘s kind of your won fault.

Surely; but law and PR don't always work along logic.