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Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

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Apple today introduced new beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, with an 8A5279d version number. The firmware is only available to developers at the current time, and a device running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 is required to install the update.

airpods-pro-2-green.jpg

The new firmware adds several features that Apple is debuting alongside iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe.

The AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 support improved audio quality for phone calls and video calls, plus studio-quality audio recording for interviews, podcasts, and videos. There's also an option to use the AirPods as a camera remote with the Camera app to take photos or start a video recording.

With the latest updates, Apple added a firmware update installation option that's available from the AirPods settings interface when the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Article Link: Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/09/airpods-beta-firmware-ios-26/
kaan.cl said:
I wonder when they decided to name it iOS 26, since for the AirPods Pro beta firmware it says: „Turn on pre-release beta updates to test new AirPods features in iOS 19.0.“

View attachment 2517955
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The original version continues and will continue to be 19, 20, 21.. etc.

But it will also always publicly be named 7 numbers ahead now. Adjust for each different OS.
 
It’s actually version 8A279d

There is no 5 in it. I was able to download by making sure beta updates were on in settings for AirPods and leaving them plugged in near my phone for a bit. USA here if that matters 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
Apple should create a line of fitness centers. They could have the music be down a bit, recognizing that many folks want to just listen to their own music. Or at least have a location in the cardio theater where they turn off the overhead speakers. This way we don't have to turn up the volume to drown out background noise and hurt our eardrums.
 
I love that you can toggle the beta firmware through settings on iOS26 without needing to enable developer mode through Xcode. At least I was able to with an iPhone 15 Pro Max and AirPods Pro 2 USB-C.
*looks like you need to be on developer not appleseed*
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Craiger said:
Can you explain how?
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Sorry, I should have added "on iOS26". I have updated my post.

It's in the AirPods settings. At least it shows on my AirPods Pro 2 USB-C on an iPhone 15 Pro Max running iOS26.
Toggle is not shown on my AirPods Pro Max Lightning, must only show when a beta firmware is available or only on certain AirPods.
*looks like you need to be on developer not appleseed iOS update option*
 
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fiftofar said:
Sorry, I should have added "on iOS26". I have updated my post.

It's in the AirPods settings. At least it shows on my AirPods Pro 2 USB-C on an iPhone 15 Pro Max running iOS26.
Toggle is not shown on my AirPods Pro Max Lightning, must only show when a beta firmware is available or only on certain AirPods.
Click to expand...
I have 26 running on a 15 pro max also. Only difference is that I have the older AirPods Pro 2, not usb c. Weird. Keep seeing that dialogue in screenshots and I can’t get it to show up.
 
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Craiger said:
I have 26 running on a 15 pro max also. Only difference is that I have the older AirPods Pro 2, not usb c. Weird. Keep seeing that dialogue in screenshots and I can’t get it to show up.
Click to expand...
Interesting, could be a bug, perhaps USB-C only?
Menu and toggle shows on my iPad on iPadOS 26 but not my MacBook on macOS 26.

The learn more on the "banner" mentioning beta software available should take you straight to the toggle.
Otherwise you should be able to tap "AirPods Beta Updates" near the bottom of the AirPods settings. (added screenshots to my original post)

You could try a restart or forget and reset the AirPods then re-pair or something, however if it's a bug or for USB-C only it won't show.

*looks like you need to be on developer not appleseed iOS update option too, lightning and USB-C supported*
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Craiger said:
I have 26 running on a 15 pro max also. Only difference is that I have the older AirPods Pro 2, not usb c. Weird. Keep seeing that dialogue in screenshots and I can’t get it to show up.
Click to expand...
I have the lightning version and I’m running iOS 26 & iPadOS 26 and it won’t show up on either. The beta may only be available for the USB-C versions for now…
 
Think there’s a few bugs still to iron out, my AirPod Pro 2 Lightning show the “AirPods Beta Updates” option in settings on my iPad Pro M4, but on my iPhone 15 Pro Max it doesn’t show up at all.
 
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Craiger said:
I have 26 running on a 15 pro max also. Only difference is that I have the older AirPods Pro 2, not usb c. Weird. Keep seeing that dialogue in screenshots and I can’t get it to show up.
Click to expand...
I can’t see it either. I’m thinking is region locked for now
 
vbctv said:
I have the lightning version and I’m running iOS 26 & iPadOS 26 and it won’t show up on either. The beta may only be available for the USB-C versions for now…
Click to expand...
I have the Lightning version and an iPhone 14 Pro Max running iOS 26 and was able to update to the beta firmware (8A279d).
 
Rafagon said:
Wait, version "8A5279d"?

Why not AirPodsOS 26?
Click to expand...
I guess they do not feel the need to name it as an OS. These numbers are used for all their system software, eg. macOS 26 beta 1 is called 25A5279m. Notice that it starts with 25, I believe this is a tidbit from the Darwin OS the OS that all the "Apple OS's" are based upon, and uses the major version number from the year it is released. Darwin OS version number would be the version number like internal Windows version, and iOS 26, macOS 26 etc. will all be on Darwin OS 25. So now they will be a version "behind". The 8 in AirPods Pro signals that it is the 8 major version of the firmware for the AirPods Pro 2.
 
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16 pro here, update worked fine, options available, lightning pro 2’s.

Anyone actually tested this yet? They’ve made it sound like it’s a feature… which usually means toggle (camera controls is a toggle, and works great btw)… but I don’t “get” studio-quality recording and whether it’s just the new normal or whether it’s something I need to find and turn on etc :)
 
Might be worth reporting issues updating or the menu option not showing with the feedback app just in case.
Make sure you’re on developer beta option and not appleseed.
IMG_0043.jpeg
 
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