Apple to Start Releasing Public Betas of AirPods Firmware Updates

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to offer public betas of AirPods firmware updates for the first time.

The public will be able to test upcoming AirPods firmware updates through the free Apple Beta Software Program, with no Apple Developer account required.

"New public betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, tvOS 26, HomePod software 26, watchOS 26, and AirPods Firmware are coming soon," says Apple.

In a press release, Apple said that the first AirPods firmware public beta will be available in July.

Apple already released a developer beta of an upcoming firmware update for the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 last week. With the new firmware, the ‌AirPods 4‌ and AirPods Pro 2 gain support for improved audio quality for phone calls and video calls, plus studio-quality audio recording for interviews, podcasts, and videos. There is also an option to use AirPods as a camera remote with the Camera app to take photos or start a video recording. Plus, these AirPods models can automatically pause audio if it is detected that you fell asleep.

Article Link: Apple to Start Releasing Public Betas of AirPods Firmware Updates

 

[jforsander]

I really hope Beats products are included in this beta program, but I kinda doubt it.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

I'm in when it goes live!

 

[iphone456]

On that note… I opened my AirPods settings to this notice re: iOS 19

 

[TechWhisperer]

This is actually pretty cool.

 

[Corefile]

Heck no.

 

[I/0]

On that note… I opened my AirPods settings to this notice re: iOS 19View attachment 2520381

That’s interesting as it seems the change to 26 for all OS was a very late decision.

 

[mxrider88]

To experience earlier the bugs they will release? Nah thanks..

 

[LeeW]

The last thing I want is bugs stopping me from using my APP. I don't see the benefit of public betas for the majority.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Will any of these updates include support for Auracast?

 

[AdriftAtlas]

Has anyone running the beta actually noticed increased AirPods mic quality for FaceTime? Have they finally resolved the muffled mic issue at the slightest noise?

Apple, just let us us the onboard mic of the iPhone while using AirPods as regular earbuds. If I'm sitting at home or at the office, the onboard iPhone mic sounds crystal clear compared to the mediocre AirPods mic. I often use a USB-C to 3.5mm dongle with regular buds simply to have good FaceTime mic quality.

The AirPods Pro 1 had a hack where you could SharePlay music, pause it, hit the mic mute, and then when you'd unmute you could select the onboard iPhone mic with the AirPods acting as earbuds. When I switched to the AirPods Pro 2 I noticed they no longer allowed this. Is this deliberate to hide the mediocre quality of the AirPods mic?

 

[AdriftAtlas]

Will any of these updates include support for Auracast?

That would require Bluetooth LE Audio support and LC3.

Apple has so far pretended the five year old standard doesn't exist. Adopting BLE Audio and LC3 would likely increase the two-way audio quality of third-party headsets, which is likely to harm Apple's vise grip with AirPods. It's possible any increased voice quality is the result of BLE Audio, and if so, did they lock it down to AirPods.

 

[AppleTO]

Are they going to tell us what’s changed? What’s the point in testing a beta if they don’t tell us what to test?

 

[Parowdy]

The last thing I want is bugs stopping me from using my APP. I don't see the benefit of public betas for the majority.

Well, let some other people help Apple straighten it out before you have to run the new version, as AirPods always update automatically.

Edit: what’s the problem with what I said here? That’s exactly how it works.

 

[Parowdy]

Are they going to tell us what’s changed? What’s the point in testing a beta if they don’t us what to test?

They talked about new AirPod features in the keynote and this article also em toons some of them.
Apple probably doesn’t list anything because they are still figuring out what to put in it until September themselves? But then again I believe there is already a dev beta firmware available right now, could be wrong though.

 

[jz0309]

I mean, for those who want to - all the power to you!
For me? Wouldn’t even put beta OS on my iohone as I don’t have a backup, nor do I have a 2nd pair of APP2

 

[Mity]

You're telling me their releases actually undergo testing? News to me; I thought we were the beta testers for Apple.

 

[ifxf]

Wonder how you downgrade?

 

[Janschi]

Wonder how you downgrade?

afaik you can't. You'd have to send them to Apple to downgrade themfor you.

 

[aknabi]

Wonder how you downgrade?

Downgrade? Why is the thought entering your head? You are doing mysterious and important work here and neither your innie or outie should be anything but a true believer. Do you need to go to the break room?

 

[Rafagon]

Are they going to tell us what’s changed? What’s the point in testing a beta if they don’t tell us what to test?

It's a double-blind beta. Neither Apple nor the users know what has changed.

 

[LutzRFrank]

Got the new Firmware in EU (DE) on my iPhone 16 PM after connecting them to power and taking them out for about 5 minutes to hear music, placed them back into the pod, closed it and waited about 20 minutes to check the version and immediately got the new popups informing about the new iOS and then the sleep pop up.