Note that to check the firmware number for your Airpods and their case, sometimes you need to lift the case's lid first to connect the Airpods to whatever device (iPhone or Mac) you're using to check the version numbers.
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Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4
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I wish they did, too, but it’s less obnoxious than Google’s release notes. Have you read the ones that are usually associated with YouTube? They tend to go something like this: “Getting coffee after a disturbance in the space time continuum.” I’d rather they say nothing.
Article is saying AirPods Pro 2 and cases will get the same update.
About firmware updates for AirPods - Apple Support
Learn about changes and features included in the firmware updates for your AirPods.
Unfortunately this firmware update didn’t resolve the very obvious white noise I (and many others) hear in there AirPods Pro 3. Frustrating, because the APP3 sounds really good, and there ANC is truly impressive, but there constant white noise is extremely annoying. It’s also super bizarre that some people hear it and others don’t.
For now I’ll stick with my APP2 until Apple can figure this out, or the APP4's are released.
For now I’ll stick with my APP2 until Apple can figure this out, or the APP4's are released.
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Same here. And my AirPods have yet to update, despite being in their case and on the charger, right next to the damn phone, for hours. 🤬
Yes, I also tried using AirPods for 10 minutes while the case was still on charge, then I put them in again. This seemingly forced the case to update after 4/5 hours on charge…
Yeah, most likely. It was nice while it lasted.
And Apple will magically make crazy good ANC by releasing APP 4, dampen it, release APP 5, rinse and repeat.
Absolutely. Apple will always gimp older devices in various ways to nudge users to get new devices, because by then the newest is always the best. If they could get away with ruining older devices batteries massively by upgrading they would absolutely do it. Who cares if their devices can “theoretically” be useful after 7 years, when next major upgrade would immediately kill your battery even if you do battery replacement, all because your device is now 1 year old.
I’m sure you are correct that Apple has a department of destruction that focuses solely on ruining all prior generation devices. I mean of course they do this, as a trillion dollar company with a billion users worldwide, they have to force people to upgrade.
Or maybe, just maybe, you’ve never worked at a consumer product company before and have zero idea of how a successful business operates. There is zero chance that they would do anything like this and in fact I would venture to guess that they do the opposite and stress about updates that could have a negative impact on the UX in particular. They make firmware updates to address all sorts issues, and yes, fixing one thing can certainly have a negative impact on other issues. But they are not engineering degradation into their products.
And yes, I do know this because I’ve worked for consumer product manufacturers for 30 years, so I know a thing or two about how businesses operate.
I don’t understand why Apple can’t release a simple utility to apply firmware updates to AirPods. The whole “put them in the case and wait” process is just silly.
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, prior-generation AirPods Pro 2, and the AirPods 4 models. The firmware has a build number of 8A358, up from 8A356.
There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the prior 8A356 update added iOS 26 features to the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 with ANC. The software introduced better audio quality for phone calls and video calls, studio-quality audio recording for interviews, podcasts, videos, Live Translation, and more.
It's possible that the 8A358 firmware addresses a bug or brings improvements to some of the new iOS 26 AirPods features.
To install the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. From there, put your AirPods in the Charging Case and connect the Charging Case to power. Keep the case closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware update to install.
Article Link: Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4
Because 19 trillion posts have been made saying this same exact thing and they’ve grown tired of people repeating what others say.
For the APP3 are both version and case version suppose to be the same? Only version got updated to 8A358. Case is on 357.
APP2
Version A8358
Case Version A8356
Maybe they’ll align by morning?
Not sure why they gotta make APP firmware updates so cumbersome. Just add the updates to System > General > Software Update and call it good.
support.apple.com
Version A8358
Case Version A8356
Maybe they’ll align by morning?
Not sure why they gotta make APP firmware updates so cumbersome. Just add the updates to System > General > Software Update and call it good.
About firmware updates for AirPods - Apple Support
Learn about changes and features included in the firmware updates for your AirPods.
They should both be the same. I am still waiting on my case to update.
I'm OK with the ridiculous update mechanism, but I'd love to see a comprehensive changelog.
APP2 (Lighning) just updated from 8A356 to 8A358 with case remaining on 80.0.356
These firmware updates have always been a roller coaster with improvements, followed by disappointments. Balanced bass > excessive bass > now improved again to what it was.
ANC used to be better prior to 356 imho and thankfully it hasn't got even worse. I'll swap out the Comply tips I've just fitted yesterday to gauge properly with the Apple silicon tips.
PS: a side note to those running into "strange" firmware numbers. It happened to me that beta versions were pushed onto my AAP2 for four months or so without me having signed up, took a while for me to realise as I was posting quite conflicting stuff vs what MR reported on firmware versions. Apple were puzzled but with many calls they managed to remove me from the unsolicited beta. I guess it explains the said "roller coaster" behaviour I mentioned above.
EDIT: something I just noticed after the update when invoking Testing Ear Tip Fit. It's usually done after 10 sec or less. Now it seems to not stop testing, even after a few minutes and the test track ending. Could someone see if they're getting the same behaviour?
EDIT UPDATE: randomly the test completes. Since the update L side now says "adjust or try a different ear tip". Never have had that before and all was always good both sides prior to update. Refitted Apple tips (that also passed the tests prior) and low and behold, same message. In fact anatomically, the L side has always been much more snug than the R side, irrespective if using Apple's tips or from Comply, the latter sealing even better.
This update had clearly messed the testing up (for me).
These firmware updates have always been a roller coaster with improvements, followed by disappointments. Balanced bass > excessive bass > now improved again to what it was.
ANC used to be better prior to 356 imho and thankfully it hasn't got even worse. I'll swap out the Comply tips I've just fitted yesterday to gauge properly with the Apple silicon tips.
PS: a side note to those running into "strange" firmware numbers. It happened to me that beta versions were pushed onto my AAP2 for four months or so without me having signed up, took a while for me to realise as I was posting quite conflicting stuff vs what MR reported on firmware versions. Apple were puzzled but with many calls they managed to remove me from the unsolicited beta. I guess it explains the said "roller coaster" behaviour I mentioned above.
EDIT: something I just noticed after the update when invoking Testing Ear Tip Fit. It's usually done after 10 sec or less. Now it seems to not stop testing, even after a few minutes and the test track ending. Could someone see if they're getting the same behaviour?
EDIT UPDATE: randomly the test completes. Since the update L side now says "adjust or try a different ear tip". Never have had that before and all was always good both sides prior to update. Refitted Apple tips (that also passed the tests prior) and low and behold, same message. In fact anatomically, the L side has always been much more snug than the R side, irrespective if using Apple's tips or from Comply, the latter sealing even better.
This update had clearly messed the testing up (for me).
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