Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2

[MacRumors]

Apple today introduced new firmware for both the AirPods Pro 2 with Lightning port and the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C port. The new firmware is 6A303, up from the 6A301 update that was released in September.

Apple does not provide details on what features might be included in the refreshed firmware, so it is unclear what's new. Apple added multiple new AirPods Pro 2 features in iOS 17 such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Personalized Volume, so there could be refinements to those updates.

Apple does not offer instructions on how to upgrade AirPods software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air while the ‌‌AirPods‌‌ are connected to an iOS device. Putting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ in the case, connecting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to a power source, and then pairing the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to an iOS device or Mac should force the update.

You can check your ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ firmware by following these steps:

• Connect your ‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌ to your iOS device.
• Open the Settings app.
• Tap General.
• Tap About.
• Tap ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.
• Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."

If we learn more about what's new in these firmware releases, we'll update this article.

Article Link: Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2

 

[Motawa]

I am scared to update tbh

 

[Antknee]

Well, if it's like the first Airpods Pro, the feature could be to make the noise cancellation suck. I swear on my Airpods Pro the noise cancelling was great out of the box, then after a few firrmware updates it was nowhere near as good. They should outline what the changes are or give us a way to turn off firmware updates for our Airpods.

 

[StoneJack]

Well, if it's like the first Airpods Pro, the feature could be to make the noise cancellation suck. I swear on my Airpods Pro the noise cancelling was great out of the box, then after a few firrmware updates it was nowhere near as good. They should outline what the changes are or give us a way to turn off firmware updates for our Airpods.

Probably battery life concerns made it to reduce anc

 

[GMShadow]

Might fix the overly-touchy device switching with iOS 15 devices.

 

[novagamer]

Well, if it's like the first Airpods Pro, the feature could be to make the noise cancellation suck. I swear on my Airpods Pro the noise cancelling was great out of the box, then after a few firrmware updates it was nowhere near as good. They should outline what the changes are or give us a way to turn off firmware updates for our Airpods.

I think this was done to reduce the nausea some people experienced. It's unfortunate for those of us who weren't impacted, the ANC was much better in the launch firmware for sure. The AirPods Pro 2 ANC is very good and the adaptive mode is sublime on many levels, they are worth the upgrade.

 

[CarAnalogy]

I think this was done to reduce the nausea some people experienced. It's unfortunate for those of us who weren't impacted, the ANC was much better in the launch firmware for sure. The AirPods Pro 2 ANC is very good and the adaptive mode is sublime on many levels, they are worth the upgrade.

If anything I find the ANC on the 2 to be not quite as good as on the first generation. Agree adaptive is nice but it could be a little more aggressive. Conversation awareness on the other hand is a little too aggressive.

I admire what Apple is trying to do here. It’s a really hard problem to tackle and I think they are doing great, and I’m hoping we can get over our collective trauma about firmware updates. Hopefully this time around all the firmware updates will be good ones.

 

[MasterControlProgram]

Lol, mine are still 6A300 for some reason! I hope they don’t nerf the noise cancelling as it has been really good so far.

I’d like Conversation Awareness to be a bit quicker, it always takes quite a while to kick in, usually resulting in me just pulling a bud out so I can hear. I’m hoping Adaptive Noise Cancelling actually adds some noise cancelling too; I was switching back forth between it and transparency earlier and couldn't hear any actual noise cancelling going on.

 

[casjohnr]

Well, if it's like the first Airpods Pro, the feature could be to make the noise cancellation suck. I swear on my Airpods Pro the noise cancelling was great out of the box, then after a few firrmware updates it was nowhere near as good. They should outline what the changes are or give us a way to turn off firmware updates for our Airpods.

I sent my Airpods Pro 2 USBC back today because out of the box the noise cancellation was AMAZING compared to my original Pro but just over a week later something changed (maybe a firmware update not sure) and it was nowhere near as good

Maybe just got a duff pair but I thought since I was in the 14 day window I'll just take my money back for now and I can always try again in a couple of months

 

[poematik13]

Still cant even update from the 5XXX version lol. They really need to add a way to force updates manually.

 

[Stuipdboy1000]

Charging Case also gets an update from 54.26.1 to 60.82.0

 

[MacMan988]

I hope they don’t nerf the noise cancelling as it has been really good so far.

I hope the same, But they usually do it.

 

[upandown]

Case firmware 60.82.0 was previously for 6A301.

 

[upandown]

Can MacRumors please publish the case firmware for each update.

Does any one have the case firmware for 6A303?

 

[ignatius345]

I’m hoping Adaptive Noise Cancelling actually adds some noise cancelling too; I was switching back forth between it and transparency earlier and couldn't hear any actual noise cancelling going on.

It's totally context-dependent. In my office, it will tune out the sound of the AC but you can still hear people talking to you. But when the noise ramps up the ANC ramps up too. Stumbled across a vivid example the other day when I had my AirPods in my office bathroom, and then used a hand dryer. The sound of the dryer was super loud for like 1 or 2 seconds and then quickly the ANC kicked into high gear until it was on par with the regular Noise Cancelling mode. Then when the dryer was done it ramped back down again. I find Adaptive is the perfect mode for keeping some situational awareness on the subway or walking around the city.

It's *really* good for phone calls, too. Tunes out outside noise but pipes your own voice back in at a subtle level so you don't feel like you're talking with a pillow over your head like normal ANC does.

 

[midkay]

I often use my AirPods Pro with my Nintendo Switch, and I've noticed since 6A301 they will frequently randomly disconnect and switch back to being connected to my iPhone, despite nothing happening or playing on the phone and the phone being locked and not being used. It's been annoying. Hopefully this update helps fix that.

 

[jclardy]

I hope it is improvements to the new mode. The idea is good in theory but in practice it has been annoying enough to turn it off.

Just today I found if I sighed out loud, my headphones would increase the volume of what I was listening to. I had to immediately turn off the audio ducking feature as it was way too sensitive. I hope they are able to improve both of them, but it is a difficult problem since the goal is to detect someone else trying to talk to you.

 

[novagamer]

It's totally context-dependent. In my office, it will tune out the sound of the AC but you can still hear people talking to you. But when the noise ramps up the ANC ramps up too. Stumbled across a vivid example the other day when I had my AirPods in my office bathroom, and then used a hand dryer. The sound of the dryer was super loud for like 1 or 2 seconds and then quickly the ANC kicked into high gear until it was on par with the regular Noise Cancelling mode. Then when the dryer was done it ramped back down again. I find Adaptive is the perfect mode for keeping some situational awareness on the subway or walking around the city.

It's *really* good for phone calls, too. Tunes out outside noise but pipes your own voice back in at a subtle level so you don't feel like you're talking with a pillow over your head like normal ANC does.

Yes, it works amazingly well for phone calls and it even changes subtly in quiet environments. I had one of those rare moments of surprise and delight when I realized this. It's also great for having a call in a loud vehicle and it doesn't totally block out the noise you'd want to hear (not that I'd recommend this as a driver, of course).

The slow change for a louder environment gradually ramps but I had it on and there was a very loud sudden sound and it responded by totally damping it – those constant readings and quick response times are going to help prevent a lot of potential hearing damage.

Conversation awareness is terrible IMO, but either newer software or better hardware down the line will probably make it pretty good for that too. Adaptive Mode is 100% worth using with the conversation awareness option off, though.

Side note: I hate the name for this, how in the hell do you abbreviate it. ANC is on most noise cancelling headphones but this "Adaptive" mode for Airpods Pro 2 is NOT the same thing as Adaptive Noise Cancelling. It's called "Noise Control Adaptive" but NCA seems ...stupid and looks like you're making a typo. Mild gripe, but still.

 

[Stuipdboy1000]

Case firmware 60.82.0 was previously for 6A301.

Interesting. Mine only seems to have updated as of this update.

 

[trues]

"Bug fixes and other improvements". Apple has now become lazy just like devs that don't let us know what they changed/why we should update to the latest app releases (Spotify, I am referring to you)

 

[ELman]

Can MacRumors please publish the case firmware for each update.

Does any one have the case firmware for 6A303?

After the 6A303 Update my case is at 60.82.0

 

[trues]

Still on 6A300, which is not even the 6A301 release from September. So clearly we need a tool to manually push these updates because if Apple's proposed automatic/background updating worked, I wouldn't be on 6A300 still (which is from Idk when)

 

[tonyisit]

Still on 6A300, which is not even the 6A301 release from September. So clearly we need a tool to manually push these updates because if Apple's proposed automatic/background updating worked, I wouldn't be on 6A300 still (which is from Idk when)

If you are on 6A300 you have airpods gen1 buds , as I have both gens and one is 300 and other was on 301

 

[tonyisit]

Still on 6A300, which is not even the 6A301 release from September. So clearly we need a tool to manually push these updates because if Apple's proposed automatic/background updating worked, I wouldn't be on 6A300 still (which is from Idk when)

Are you sure you have airpods 2nd gen buds ?

 

[upandown]

Interesting. Mine only seems to have updated as of this update.

Yeah unfortunately firmwares for the case or buds themselves can get stuck from time to time. At least from what I’ve seen online. I commonly see people complain their case doesn’t update. My case is still 60.82.0 with 3A303 so you should be good.