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

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Apple today provided public 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.

airpods-pro-2-green.jpg

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 firmware update installation option that's available from the AirPods settings interface when the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This is the first time that Apple has provided beta firmware to public beta testers.

Article Link: Apple Releases Public Beta Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/07/24/apple-airpods-public-beta-firmware/
austinmm6 said:
My Airpods Pro 2 (Lightning) still won't show the beta option on my phone. It shows on my mac, but it doesn't update the airpods no matter what method I try. I've been dealing with this since the first beta, and yes I have forgotten/reset the airpods and started over more than once. It doesn't help.
Click to expand...
Try the force mode, enable developer mode with U3tools and from the options enable beta firmwares for accessories
 
austinmm6 said:
My Airpods Pro 2 (Lightning) still won't show the beta option on my phone. It shows on my mac, but it doesn't update the airpods no matter what method I try. I've been dealing with this since the first beta, and yes I have forgotten/reset the airpods and started over more than once. It doesn't help.
Click to expand...
I have the same exact problems. Tried all of the troubleshooting steps. Just submitted a bug report.
 
austinmm6 said:
My Airpods Pro 2 (Lightning) still won't show the beta option on my phone. It shows on my mac, but it doesn't update the airpods no matter what method I try. I've been dealing with this since the first beta, and yes I have forgotten/reset the airpods and started over more than once. It doesn't help.
Click to expand...

My AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning) also don't show it. My AirPods 4 do. I guess only the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) are supported for the beta.
 
rotvaldi said:
Try the force mode, enable developer mode with U3tools and from the options enable beta firmwares for accessories
Click to expand...
During my search for answers, you are the second person to mention something about developer mode without actually explaining what to do. For anyone else having issues, I followed this tutorial to enable developer mode. (I'm on a PC at the moment) From there, after enabling developer mode and rebooting, you open settings, developer, then scroll way down to AirPods Testing and select Pre-Release Beta Firmware. If your airpods show on the next page, swipe left to remove them, then you will have the beta options again. Mine haven't updated yet, but the option is there. Maybe after a few more minutes...
 
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iOS 26 beta makes it 'easier' to activate beta mode on AirPods but there's still no way to push the update and basically you plug it in and wait for who knows how long.

Interesting that the new version number still has yet to be posted. 8a308b is my present version.
 
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austinmm6 said:
My Airpods Pro 2 (Lightning) still won't show the beta option on my phone. It shows on my mac, but it doesn't update the airpods no matter what method I try. I've been dealing with this since the first beta, and yes I have forgotten/reset the airpods and started over more than once. It doesn't help.
Click to expand...
I've been having the same issue since I installed IOS 26 Beta 1. I also use AirPods Pro 2 Lightening and AirPods 4. No problems updating AirPods 4 but no luck with AirPods Pro 2. I did all possible multiple times (forget divice and reset it). A couple of times, first thing in the morning. the beta message showed up when I connected the AirPods Pro 2 but after I let it sit close to the iPhone for 20 minutes or so to update, the update message would not be there and the firmware version would still be the same. I do not have the intention to enable developer mode. There is something wrong that Apple will have to fix. I also reported this issue. If anyone is able to figure out a way to fix this without enabling developer mode please share. Thanks.
 
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I don’t think you will have a choice. Deleting old entries in Settings > Developer > AirPods beta firmware seems to be the fix to enable the “new” way of getting AirPods beta updates, and you need to enable developer mode to access that menu.
 
Any updates with live translation? Going on holiday for the first time with Spanish family in late August and the whole ear bud translation would absolutely save my life. Purposely going to buy a pair of the Pro 2 for this feature.
 
Last edited:
I was able to enable beta updates on my mac studio for the air pod pro 2's. Says they need to be in the case and near the system. Do I need to keep the case open?
 
iF34R said:
I was able to enable beta updates on my mac studio for the air pod pro 2's. Says they need to be in the case and near the system. Do I need to keep the case open?
Click to expand...
It should be closed and better have the AirPods plugged to power. I can see the beta update on my AirPods Pro 2 as well but no matter what I do they never get updated.
 
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