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

[MacRumors]

Apple today provided beta testers with updated beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, allowing them to test the new AirPods features in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe. The firmware is only available to developers and public beta testers at the current time, and a device running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 is required to install the update. The firmware has a build number of 8A5324b, up from 8A5308b.

The 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 iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, Apple added a beta firmware update installation option that's available from the AirPods settings interface when the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, which facilitates the beta testing.

Article Link: Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

 

[Zorn]

Has anyone ever managed to find a solution for Airpods that never see or show the beta settings section? I have tried everything I've seen suggested, unpair repair over and over and over, no matter what I can't get the beta firmware settings to ever show up on my AirPods Pro 2.

 

[gsxrq]

Has anyone ever managed to find a solution for Airpods that never see or show the beta settings section? I have tried everything I've seen suggested, unpair repair over and over and over, no matter what I can't get the beta firmware settings to ever show up on my AirPods Pro 2.

Same here

 

[Kkspire]

The beta shows in settings. I turn it on everyday. I look back later. It’s off. Never been able to use it.

 

[austinmm6]

Has anyone ever managed to find a solution for Airpods that never see or show the beta settings section? I have tried everything I've seen suggested, unpair repair over and over and over, no matter what I can't get the beta firmware settings to ever show up on my AirPods Pro 2.

There is a discussion in last week's AirPods beta thread. I posted the fix that worked for me.

 

[alexandr]

Has anyone ever managed to find a solution for Airpods that never see or show the beta settings section? I have tried everything I've seen suggested, unpair repair over and over and over, no matter what I can't get the beta firmware settings to ever show up on my AirPods Pro 2.

Same here

The beta shows in settings. I turn it on everyday. I look back later. It’s off. Never been able to use it.

Mine's on. But betas won't install despite me leaving my AirPods (Pro2 & 4) next to them for hours.

 

[austinmm6]

Here's the fix from last week. https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...irpods-4.2462158/?post=34028038#post-34028038

 

[lesliewong]

I'm on iOS 26.0 (23A5297m) and the AirPods Beta Updates selection shows without really doing anything. I updated the firmware today by having the AirPods in their case and plugged into a charger. It shows 8A324b; haven't noticed any changes yet.

 

[JazJon]

I’ve been waiting for the first beta update to happen since last week. My AirPod pro 2 on 7E93 never updates. iPhone 16 pro max, iOS 26 public beta 1. I’ve tried rebooting, resetting repairing, with power without power, anything and everything I found on ChatGPT. Nothing works I’m still stuck on 7E93. maybe the newest beta will kick in overnight we’ll see.

 

[Séamus Boyle]

I give up on trying to get this even though I enabled the opt-in to betas for the AirPods in settings. Haven’t seen that screen again either.

 

[NM08SRT8]

Do beats get beta updates?

 

[Jirem]

I’ve been waiting for the first beta update to happen since last week. My AirPod pro 2 on 7E93 never updates. iPhone 16 pro max, iOS 26 public beta 1. I’ve tried rebooting, resetting repairing, with power without power, anything and everything I found on ChatGPT. Nothing works I’m still stuck on 7E93. maybe the newest beta will kick in overnight we’ll see.

Same

 

[johnsawyercjs]

My AP2 firmware is displayed as 8A324b, not 8A5324b. It doesn't have a "5" in it. Oddly, along with that update, the case's firmware version now shows as 8A0, though previously it matched the firmware version of the Airpods themselves.

 

[EuphoniuMan]

I’ve pretty much given up on the AirPods beta. I have pro 2s (usbc version), and despite me turning it on on my phone, my Mac, and my iPad…plugging it into my Mac, and following all the instructions online…it still will not install the beta. I’m throwing in the towel and figure I’ll get it when I get it.

 

[JazJon]

I didn’t try this yet, but sounds like a logical workaround

ShoulderCrazy996's comment on "Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4"

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“Same here. Had to delete them from find my and then add the to another iPhone account.”

“Nice that's a work around I didn't think of. I have a back up iPhone and Alternative Apple account I can login with. I'll wait to see if public beta 2 fixes the problem next week and if it doesn't, l'll try your workaround.”

 

[uczcret]

My AP2 firmware is displayed as 8A324b, not 8A5324b. It doesn't have a "5" in it.

Ditto.

 

[rotvaldi]

Here's the fix from last week. https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...irpods-4.2462158/?post=34028038#post-34028038

Uh oh uh oh I’m being quoting lol, well enabling any edit on 3utools enables developer mode

 

[Broken Hope]

I wonder if public beta AirPod releases are also delayed like public beta iOS releases are, I tried to update multiple times with my phone on the public beta channel and my AirPods wouldn’t update to the latest, I switched my phone to the developer beta channel and they updated fine then.

 

[Zorn]

Here's the fix from last week. https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...irpods-4.2462158/?post=34028038#post-34028038

Thanks this wound up working finally.

 

[robfoll]

My AP2 firmware is displayed as 8A324b, not 8A5324b. It doesn't have a "5" in it. Oddly, along with that update, the case's firmware version now shows as 8A0, though previously it matched the firmware version of the Airpods themselves.

Mine do not have the 5 either = 8A308b - Case 8A324b - Where does this Phantom 5 come from?

 

[serzhs1]

I’ve been waiting for the first beta update to happen since last week. My AirPod pro 2 on 7E93 never updates. iPhone 16 pro max, iOS 26 public beta 1. I’ve tried rebooting, resetting repairing, with power without power, anything and everything I found on ChatGPT. Nothing works I’m still stuck on 7E93. maybe the newest beta will kick in overnight we’ll see.

You should contact Genius Bar

 

[BigZ12]

Updated to iOS26 Beta 5 (developer).
Still no "Airpods Beta Updates" option for my Airpods Pro 2 (Lightning)

macOS26 (both beta 4 & 5) has the option, but I don't get any new beta firmware update... (should be version 8a5324b)

Please advise.

 

[RyanLee]

Updated to iOS26 Beta 5 (developer).
Still no "Airpods Beta Updates" option for my Airpods Pro 2 (Lightning)

macOS26 (both beta 4 & 5) has the option, but I don't get any new beta firmware update... (should be version 8a5324b)

Please advise.

Along with enabling beta updates, also enable the below setting for AirPods Analytics Data. After days of not getting the update, this fired it off rather quickly.

 

[BigZ12]

Along with enabling beta updates, also enable the below setting for AirPods Analytics Data. After days of not getting the update, this fired it off rather quickly.

Thanks that made the trick!

The whole process:

This made the "Airpods Beta Updates" appear on my iPhone:
- Set my iPhone 15 Pro Max to Developer mode with iCareFone (app on my Mac Mini)
- Settings - Developer - Pre-Release-Beta-Firmware - Delete the Airpods Pro 2 from the list (edit: this done on the iPhone of course)
- Factory reset my Airpods
VOILA!

Then I got the beta (8a324b) update very quick after I enabled "Airpods Beta Updates" AND "Airpods Analytics Data".
(Case closed and connected to Magsafe charger while updating)

 

[Stuipdboy1000]

Mine do not have the 5 either = 8A308b - Case 8A324b - Where does this Phantom 5 come from?

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"“5” is strongly correlated with or simply means it’s a beta build."