Apple Upgrades AirPods Charging in iOS 26

[MacRumors]

In the fifth beta of iOS 26, Apple appears to have subtly upgraded AirPods charging. Code in iOS 26 says that the AirPods Charging case "now more clearly indicates charging status," and that the AirPods will remind you when it's time to charge.

A screenshot shared on social media shows an AirPods splash screen with the same wording and an image of what the light on the AirPods charging case means. There are two different shades of amber for Charging and Charge Case, along with a green for Charged status.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1952957656089673909

The AirPods charging case already uses an amber light when the case is charging and a green light when it's at full charge. When the AirPods case is open and the AirPods are inside, there's a green light that means the AirPods are fully charged and an amber light that means there is less than one full charge remaining.

It may be that the amber light indicating that the AirPods charging case needs to be topped up will show up even when the case is closed, since Apple's wording does suggest that there's something new in iOS 26.

In prior iOS 26 betas, Apple introduced an iPhone notification that alerts you when the AirPods are in need of a charge. The notification is sent even if the AirPods aren't in active use, so you can charge them up for later.

Article Link: Apple Upgrades AirPods Charging in iOS 26

 

[gigatoaster]

Colorblind people say thank you.

 

[zorinlynx]

>In prior iOS 26 betas, Apple introduced an iPhone notification that alerts you when the AirPods are in need of a charge.

My iPhone has been doing this for the past couple of iOS releases. I don't think it's a new feature?

 

[racerhomie]

After 8 years of AirPods(3 pairs) I’m much happier with my EarPods. They are a much better fit for me over the long term. I can’t stand the 2-3 year lifespan!!

 

[CheesePuff]

Colorblind people say thank you.

I’m not colorblind and can’t even tell the difference in that screenshot

 

[ManuelStany]

Sorry to going off topic, but lately my 10-months-old AirPods Pro 2 are not working as expected. The battery keep draining when stored in the case and I don't know what is going on.

 

[G46&Fbnth5]

I’m not colorblind and can’t even tell the difference in that screenshot

You don't need to tell difference because you are supposed to know whether or not your AirPods are charging.

 

[tomtad]

Can someone explain why this isn’t turning red when the case is low?

 

[Taq'aix]

Fifty Shades of Amber.

 

[tennisproha]

I'm gonna have to break out my spectrometer to see which shade of amber is glowing.

The LED can output tons of colors yet Apple just uses two to communicate multiple things and make it needlessly confusing! Like on the MacBook, amber indicates both charging AND desktop mode. They could easily use white to show desktop mode and

 

[alexandr]

Much better.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I really wish Apple would provide more information about AirPod status on request. Maybe add some functionality to an existing app or Settings.

 

[Mity]

I would love the ability to name the charging case just like I can name the AirPods themselves. I have two pairs of the APPG2, one for the gym and one for regular use. I can't tell which case is which.

 

[tyrnnsrs]

I would love the ability to name the charging case just like I can name the AirPods themselves. I have two pairs of the APPG2, one for the gym and one for regular use. I can't tell which case is which.

It would be cool if Apple came out with a label maker

 

[zilchfox]

Different colors would have been nice instead.

 

[TMRJIJ]

Can someone explain why this isn’t turning red when the case is low?

Different colors would have been nice instead.

They’re saving that color for the new AirPods Cases (extra $50+)

 

[Mity]

It would be cool if Apple came out with a label maker

I know you're being sarcastic but when you're charging the two cases, you can't see the name in the iOS battery widget. And it doesn't make any sense why you can't name them in the first place but you can name the AirPods.

 

[Séamus Boyle]

Meanwhile the beta option vanished from settings on the phone and no one I know has been able to test the AirPods beta firmware. 😂

 

[richpjr]

Colorblind people say thank you.

LOL - first thing I thought of when reading that.

 

[swiftapplefan]

I don’t know if it’s new, but since I’m on the os26 betas I noticed that when charging, instead of a static amber, the charging case light gently fades in and out, as in pulses smoothly.

 

[richpjr]

I don’t know if it’s new, but since I’m on the os26 betas I noticed that when charging, instead of a static amber, the charging case light gently fades in and out, as in pulses smoothly.

I can't say I noticed it before, but all these animations may be adding up into what I see in a faster battery drain.

 

[Falco McGregor]

The charging notification is a nice touch and long-overdue.

 

[svish]

Different colors would have been better. Expecting to see better explanation of the charging lights with the final version.

 

[kerr]

I think CHARGE CASE should be red.

 

[seinman]

Sorry to going off topic, but lately my 10-months-old AirPods Pro 2 are not working as expected. The battery keep draining when stored in the case and I don't know what is going on.

Clean them, and the case, using alcohol wipes, and make sure you get down into the slots the stems sit in. Even if they look clean. This fixes charging problems like 90% of the time.