Apple Updates AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max Firmware

Be nice to have Apple release some sort of procedure to initiate the update instead of staying silent. I've done everything recommended in this thread along with listening to music for extended periods of time and mine have not updated. I recently had an awful customer service experience dealing with Apple Support (different issue) so this poor implementation of firmware updates doesn't surprise me.
 
My biggest ask is the ability to easily share AirPods Max with other devices besides ones you're signed into on your own Apple ID. I have a second user account on my Mac for my work -- with a different Apple ID -- and I can't even use my AirPods Max there at all. I pair them with my Mac in my main user account, and the second I switch users to my work account they disconnect immediately and don't show up in Bluetooth or anywhere else.

The only way to get AirPods Max to work on any device or account not signed into my Apple ID is to hard reset them and re-pair them, at which point they get renamed and are no longer available on my iPhone or in my Mac user account. So my wife can't borrow them to use with her iPhone, nor can we use them with the floater iPad we keep in the kitchen.

I guess Apple's solution is to just keep buying more AirPods Max because they've made it so hard to share them. Pretty ****ing frustrating to spend all this money on Apple gear and not be able to listen to my $550 headphones.
 
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I'm assuming mine updated since now, every time I switch devices with my AirPods Max, the volume goes to zero and if I don't remember to change the volume I think they have not connected.
 
I tried a 3x update with my iPhone , but what worked with my AirPods Pro was this:
- I connected my AirPods pro with my MacBook Air.
- I listened to 1 min of music.
- I put it back in the case.
- still with the case open and connected with my MacBook Air I plugged the Lightning Cable into the case with the airpods inside and closed the case lid.
- I left it charging on my MacBook Air for about 20 min and it updated.
This was the only way I updated my AirPods Pro, as doing this procedure with my iPhone it didn't update.
 
DJJAZZYJET said:
Just got my Pro's today and here I am struggling to get them to update to the last firmware o_O - we really need an AirPods App, its just ridiculous.
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Yeah I just leave my open on my desk on the charger until they update. Sometimes they're open for about an hour before they update.
 
BreakYurAnkles said:
for the past hour and a half I have listened to my AirPods Pro with the update with my normal routine.

Same songs/playlist.

Volume hasn't changed (reference my previous post "initial impressions")

Soundstage/sound imagining has changed. Vocals are more pronounced and centered, while instruments and background singers/vocals are properly spaced. Instruments are also noticeably spaced.

ANC is slightly different, seems like they allow a little more outside noise through. than before. I can hear the hum of my fans a little more than before.

Battery life TBD, seems normal for now. Will report back later.
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No wai! Who could have seen this coming as it seems to be the common perception after EVERY update. Thanks for the "improvements" to ANC apple.
 
noodledog said:
Thanks for the key tip on 'leave the lid open'. That (lack of) part always confused me on MR's advised method to update, as you can't otherwise 'connect' them to your phone. Mine are still stuck on 4B52, so I'm hoping this works finally.
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Mine updated fast. Here's what I did.

Take your airpods out of the case for about 30 seconds
Put them back in and place on a charger
Put your iPhone right next to them and wait a bit

Mine updated pretty quickly.
 
MacRumors said:


Apple today released a new 4C165 firmware update for the AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. The second-generation AirPods and AirPods Max were previously running firmware version 4A400. The AirPods Pro previously had 4A402 firmware available, and AirPods 3 were running firmware version 4B66.

AirPods-Pro-Firmware-Feature.jpg

Apple does not offer information on what's included in refreshed firmware updates for the AirPods‌, so we don't know what improvements or bug fixes the new firmware brings.

There is no standard way to upgrade the ‌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 iPhone or an iPad should force the update after a short period of time.

You can check your ‌‌‌AirPods‌‌ or ‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌ firmware by following these steps:
  • Connect your ‌‌AirPods‌‌ or ‌‌‌‌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 find notable changes after the firmware updates are installed, we'll share details, but the software likely includes performance improvements and bug fixes.

Article Link: Apple Updates AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max Firmware
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Mine are upgraded. Seem more snappy™
 
noodledog said:
So, for the record, even doing the 10min open + 10min closed hasn't done anything (yes they are in the case and case plugged into a cord). Still stuck on 4B52.
Anyone have a recommendation on goat breed?
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It has to be a virgin goat. From Scotland.
 
I did what I always do:
Hang them above a small fire, throw some herbs around, and invite 6 mates to dance and sing around the fire.
then put them back on the stand, and they update :)
 
noodledog said:
Thanks for the key tip on 'leave the lid open'. That (lack of) part always confused me on MR's advised method to update, as you can't otherwise 'connect' them to your phone. Mine are still stuck on 4B52, so I'm hoping this works finally.
Click to expand...

Can confirm leaving the lid open while they are charging and next to the iPhone made mine update right away. Didn’t update the build number until I closed and reopened lid about 5-10 minutes later.
 
Kylo83 said:
I have compared both versions of AirPods Pro and they sound exactly the same, your thinking of a plecebo
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It’s totally subjective of course. But that’s my point of The Dark Side - it is my go to REFERENCE track for measuring audio quality. So, when I say the update has improved audio, I’m kinda right. Yet, it is just my opinion. Tho, one other commenter said that too!! Go bug them!!
 
ignatius345 said:
My biggest ask is the ability to easily share AirPods Max with other devices besides ones you're signed into on your own Apple ID. I have a second user account on my Mac for my work -- with a different Apple ID -- and I can't even use my AirPods Max there at all. I pair them with my Mac in my main user account, and the second I switch users to my work account they disconnect immediately and don't show up in Bluetooth or anywhere else.

The only way to get AirPods Max to work on any device or account not signed into my Apple ID is to hard reset them and re-pair them, at which point they get renamed and are no longer available on my iPhone or in my Mac user account. So my wife can't borrow them to use with her iPhone, nor can we use them with the floater iPad we keep in the kitchen.

I guess Apple's solution is to just keep buying more AirPods Max because they've made it so hard to share them. Pretty ****ing frustrating to spend all this money on Apple gear and not be able to listen to my $550 headphones.
Click to expand...
Your first line contains your own answer! Lol. Just sign in to the devices you want! Then, like magic, it will work!! And, no, I read no further than your first line. What did I miss??
 
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So weird how mine just updated! Before this news came out, I had my AirPods Max charged to full, so I didn’t want to charge it again until it was around 50%.

But before I even got there, after around a day of using my AirPods Max, when I picked it up on time and checked the firmware, I saw that it had already updated.

Looks like the firmware can update even when it isn’t plugged in?
 
The best advice I got about updating AirPods firmware on these forums was to just forget about it and let it do its thing. ? Before that I used to try all the usual tricks described here with plugging in/connecting, with a consistently random degree of success. My AP3 updated themselves to 4C165 at some point last night and my AP case was not connected to the power. Go figure. ??‍♂️
 
Hey, that's exciting! Since I got these things, the right Airpod battery has depleted faster than the left. After the firmware update, they're both draining at the same rate. (or at least reporting the same level ?)
 
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