Apple Stores Getting Tool for Updating AirPods Pro to Latest Firmware Version

[StuBeck]

Good comment. That’s what magical about the AirPods, and how easily they connect, and there’s been times before where I’ve had to manually trigger the software update, and found they were already updated. And for some users, they don’t even know how to find the update in settings, so Apple makes it that much easier for you.

Its possible to have products that allow you to upgrade firmware without a special tool while also allowing them to automatically update.

The issue many of us have with Apple removing the ability to manually update is exasperated by Apple having to develop a special internal only program to do what was possible by everyone a few months ago. They have created a problem that has no benefits for anyone.

 

[ghostface147]

Meanwhile my AirPods randomly connect to my Mac or iPhone. I’ll see a message stating AirPods connected, but they’re in their case not being used. Odd.

 

[svish]

Good to know. Wonder if Apple stores could update firmware on MagSafe also. Customers should also be able to access the tool.

 

[visualseed]

Do you mean updating AirPod firmware in "unnecessarily complicated" ?

It’s probably just an easier way for service centers to update airpods that are not paired to their devices (or any devices) as part of the diagnosis. It can be a pain to troubleshoot devices that have been offline for months and several version behind in system and firmware updates.

 

[visualseed]

Meanwhile my AirPods randomly connect to my Mac or iPhone. I’ll see a message stating AirPods connected, but they’re in their case not being used. Odd.

You can disable that in Bluetooth settings. Just note the option only comes up to change the setting while they are actively connected to the device.

 

[scrapesleon]

Lol about long overdue

 

[Chaos215bar2]

Good comment. That’s what magical about the AirPods, and how easily they connect, and there’s been times before where I’ve had to manually trigger the software update, and found they were already updated. And for some users, they don’t even know how to find the update in settings, so Apple makes it that much easier for you.

And when the “magical” solution doesn’t work for whatever reason? No one is suggesting automatic updates shouldn’t be a thing.

 

[usagora]

Only the Pros? The peasants with regular AirPods will just have to do without?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Mine finally updated last night. Tried everything including unpairing and re-pairing them to no avail. Set them on top of my phone and went to sleep and this morning they had updated sometime overnight. Not sure what triggered them but happy nonetheless

 

[Crowbot]

Mine finally updated last night. Tried everything including unpairing and re-pairing them to no avail. Set them on top of my phone and went to sleep and this morning they had updated sometime overnight. Not sure what triggered them but happy nonetheless

You may have hit on something. Close proximity to the phone and leaving it overnight. The case must have some sort of clock in it so it knows when to top off the battery charge. So if it wakes up to do the charge it may connect to the phone for the update.

 

[johnediii]

The whole "put them in the case and connect them to power and then connect them to an iOS device" is terrible. If I am not actively using mine, they will not stay connected to the iOS device for more than a couple minutes. I was hoping at some point they would get a firmware update that would fix the issue, especially connecting between Apple devices since that was the whole reason I chose these over other brands.

 

[macfacts]

The opposite of "it just works".

 

[Premium1]

Not sure why there isn't a check for update option like every other product. So dumb the hoops you have to jump through to try and update the headphones.

 

[[AUT] Thomas]

Apple really should give the user more control over AirPods...
It's not just firmware updates but also basic stuff like... well... turning them off.
Why can't we just hold the button for 10sec to actually shut them down completely?
The lack of controls over charging start/stop thresholds has always been an issue in i-devices... Apple tried to address it with "optimized charging" to avoid having the battery float at 100% charge for an extended period but that's still a dumb algorithm with no user defineable settings. In particular, you want ~50-70% charge for storage or any devices that are "permanently installed" (e.g. wall mounted iPads for home-control, POS,...) and where the battery is basically only a UPS.
Also, setting the charge current (normal [<1C], fast [1C], express [~1.5C+]) would be a nice option on most devices. Personally I use a low-amp USB-socket to "force" a "slow" charge on my iPhone (i.e. 1A/5V=5W).
As for the AirPods the fact that they are always express charged and float at 100% can't be good for the battery...

(An article on that topic, although more focused on BEVs: https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-401a-fast-and-ultra-fast-chargers)

 

[KenaiAndrews]

I agree. Set up an upgrade or downgrade Airpods/Pro tool for all and call it a day.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple is always finding new ways to snatch “difficult” from the jaws of “simple tried and true solutions”

 

[hn333]

It would be great if Apple would incorporate a firmware update option in the Apple Support app, so that consumers could manually update the firmware when needed.

Why I doubt the average customer cares. I'm a tech geek and I really don't care. It updates when it updates. No need to make it complicated.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Why I doubt the average customer cares. I'm a tech geek and I really don't care. It updates when it updates. No need to make it complicated.

You are right. The average consumer probably won't care. However, being a tech nerd, I care. That is what separates me from the tech geeks like yourself.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I never considered that one ear bud could/would update and the other one wouldn't.

It seems, to me, that Apple missed the potential for the case to provide updates to the buds. Sure, it would make the case a little more complicated, but it would avoid that problem, and the whole 'automagic' part of updating. (Is there a way to see what each bud's update status is?)

The updating process wouldn't have to be a very complicated. Just connect the case to a mac, or pc, and have it update itself, and then when the buds are in the case, it checks for the buds needing an update, and pushes the update if needed. Seems doable... Makes sense. Avoids the mismatched firmware issue. It then could give users, and Apple techies more power and flexibility in diagnosing issues with them. They are expensive, and having them fail sucks. Making them so sketchy for updating and diagnostics is crazy, and somewhat insulting to purchasers. They have the technology to do this. Any new models should be more easily supported. *shrug*

 

[msackey]

Just integrate it into the settings app lol

Agreed! At the very least, there should be an option to initiate the firmware update perhaps in the Settings app.

 

[npmacuser5]

The challenge on this end, 100 mile round trip to nearest Apple store. Hopefully they will roll this out to dealers like BestBuy and authorize the repair like taking it to an Apple Store. Imagine a software glitch like this on an Apple car. Support infrastructure rarely addressed in articles about the potential Apple Car.

 

[jazz1]

Maybe the tool can update firmware on the MagSafe chargers too (for those without Macs with USB-Cs) ??

And by tool, I mean this "AirPods Firmware Updater diagnostic tool", not Timmy Apple.

You have to have a Mac to update the MagSafe charger? The iPhone won't do it?

 

[chr1s60]

Or just put a button in the normal iPhone Settings app:

Settings - General - About - AirPods - UPDATE FIRMWARE

They’re saving this as a new feature they can show off for iOS 18.

 

[fmillion]

Or they could make it possible to just upgrade the from your iPhone or Mac… like every other device they sell. And if you’re using them on a non-Apple product, Apple could very easily create an app for the AirPods that lets you update them. This is just unnecessarily complicated.

Oh, I'm sure Apple believes this is quite necessary. You know, gotta keep those Genius Bar people employed, gotta keep the upselling and in-store "experience" alive, etc. Oh, and for those of you living far from an Apple store, because yes there are still quite a few people who don't live in a city with an Apple store, you get to contribute to climate change and take time out of your week to drive to that apple store, all so the product that you purchased keeps working.

I can't wait until you have to visit an Apple store in order to use the "erase all content and settings" option. Would definitely cut back on those people selling off their old devices rather than trading them in, now, wouldn't it?

 

[glenncashuric]

I don't think my AirPods Pro firmware has updated in a year. I've stopped trying to trick them and taunting didn't work.