Apple launched new firmware for AirPods Max (USB-C) on Monday. It builds on a current replace that introduced in help for taking part in lossless audio by way of cable.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Apple lately defined precisely how one can replace your AirPods firmware. The method can occur routinely, within the background, however there’s a technique to pace up the AirPods replace course of. Plus, it’s a good suggestion to manually examine you’re working the most recent model, which brings bug fixes and typically nice new options.
Learn on for extra particulars, and discover all present AirPods firmware variations, together with directions for getting the AirPods replace as shortly as potential.
Right here’s how one can examine in case your AirPods are working the most recent firmware on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Plus what to do in the event that they aren’t, and what you are able to do to drive AirPods’ firmware to replace.
replace AirPods firmware
Apple periodically brings out new AirPods firmware with enhancements and bug fixes. It’s effectively value putting in these updates as a result of they repair bugs and typically include important new options. There’s no higher instance than the firmware replace AirPods Professional 2 acquired within the autumn, because it expanded the capabilities of the earbuds past leisure and into medical-grade listening to aids.
Apple usually doesn’t hassle to announce AirPods firmware updates. Nonetheless, the corporate does publish launch notes so customers know what’s modified.
Whenever you hear a few firmware replace, you possibly can drive it to replace by following the method described beneath. Should you don’t wish to hassle, justly know that firmware updates are additionally carried out routinely when your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth vary of an iPhone, iPad or Mac that’s linked to Wi-Fi.
Desk of contents: replace AirPods firmware
What’s the newest AirPods firmware?
- AirPods (4th era): 7E93
- AirPods (4th era) with Energetic Noise Cancellation: 7E93
- AirPods (3nd era): 6F21
- AirPods (2nd era): 6F21
- AirPods (1st era): 6.8.8
Each variants of the AirPods 4 went to 7E93 in April, with Apple promising “Bug fixes and different enhancements.” AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 have been on firmware model 6F21 since October. AirPods 1 firmware hasn’t been up to date in years.
What’s the newest AirPods Professional firmware?
- AirPods Professional (2nd era) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C): 7E93
- AirPods Professional (2nd era) with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning): 7E93
- AirPods Professional (1st era): 6F21
As of April, each variations of AirPods Professional 2 are on firmware model 7E93, which incorporates “Bug fixes and different enhancements,” based on Apple. Authentic AirPods Professional bought an improve in October to firmware model 6F21.
And what’s the newest AirPods Max firmware?
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- AirPods Max (USB-C): 7E108
- AirPods Max: 6F25
AirPods Max (USB-C) simply went to 7E108, which Apple says presents “Bug fixes and different enhancements.” That make sit a tweak to 7E101 from April with the promised addition of lossless audio playback. Apple’s launch be aware says:
”When used with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac working iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4 or later, AirPods Max with USB-C and firmware replace 7E101 allow lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio for the last word listening expertise and even larger efficiency for music manufacturing, content material creation, and gaming.”
And the unique AirPods Max moved to firmware model 6F25 in April. This presents solely “Bug fixes and different enhancements.”
examine your present firmware model on iPhone or iPad
It’s fairly simple to shortly examine in case your AirPods are updated in iOS and iPadOS.
1. Join your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad
Photograph: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Begin by establishing an energetic connection to your AirPods by opening the lid of the charging case. Or put the earbuds on, whichever you like.
2. Go to Settings
Screenshot: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Open the Settings app in your iPhone or iPad. When linked, your AirPods must be proper on the prime of settings, just under your Apple ID settings. Faucet the identify of your AirPods, and on the subsequent display scroll virtually to the underside the place you’ll see Model, which lists the present firmware quantity.
For a lot of AirPods fashions, search for Model to say 7E93 or 6F21. The identical is true for first-gen AirPods Professional. The newest AirPods Professional ought to learn 7E93, and so forth. See the chart above.
3. Alternatively, go to Settings -> Bluetooth
Screenshot: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
One other technique to examine AirPods firmware is to go to Settings -> Bluetooth and look below My Gadgets for the identify of your AirPods. Faucet within the blue ⓘ icon — it’s an i with a circle round it subsequent to the identify. On the ensuing web page, search for Model. Once more, the most recent model for many AirPods is 7E93 or 6F21, whereas the newer AirPods Professional are on 7E93. You can also examine Apple’s record of present firmware variations.
drive an replace
Photograph: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
In case your AirPods firmware isn’t present, you possibly can pace up the replace. For near a decade, Apple resisted revealing the method, although customers figured it out. However in early 2025 Apple lastly defined — in the end — precisely what to do.
Sadly, you possibly can’t push a button or toggle a setting to instantly inform your AirPods to replace. It’s a bit extra oblique. Apple says the method to replace your AirPods or AirPods Professional firmware entails:
- Guarantee that your AirPods are in Bluetooth vary of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that’s linked to Wi-Fi.
- Put your AirPods of their charging case and shut the lid.
- Plug the charging cable into your charging case, then plug the opposite finish of the cable right into a USB charger or port.
- Maintain the lid of the charging case closed, and wait at the very least half-hour for the firmware to replace.
- Open the lid of the charging case to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Examine the firmware model once more.
Should you nonetheless can’t replace your firmware, reset your AirPods, then attempt to replace your firmware once more.
That is simply what we’ve stated for years: the very best you are able to do is put your AirPods or AirPods Professional of their case and plug the case into an influence cable (Lightning or USB-C). Then make sure that the iPhone or iPad they’re paired with is shut by, and wait. The firmware ought to replace. Usually, the method takes 5 to 10 minutes, however it might take as much as half-hour. Be affected person!
Nevertheless it’s well worth the wait. For instance, with a future replace, AirPods will evolve into extra than simply wi-fi earbuds — they’re turning into a pocket translator, able to real-time language conversion.
Similar factor goes for upgrading AirPods Max: Simply plug the headphones right into a charging cable. Or you probably have a wi-fi charging case, put your AirPods on a wi-fi charger. Then put the headphones close to your iPhone or iPad and wait.
To be clear, manually updating AirPods firmware is an issue just for individuals who get antsy and need the most recent as quickly as they will get it. For everybody else, simply maintain utilizing your AirPods. The replace will occur with out you having to do a factor.
examine AirPods’ present firmware model on Mac
You can also examine your AirPods firmware on a Mac. Your Mac will should be working macOS Ventura or later.
1. Go to System Settings
Click on the Apple menu icon within the higher left nook of your Mac’s display, and choose System Settings.
2. Choose Bluetooth
Screenshot: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Click on Bluetooth within the left-hand sidebar. Then discover your AirPods within the My Gadgets record and choose the blue ⓘ icon (an i with a circle round it subsequent to the identify). Make certain that your AirPods are linked to your Mac. It ought to say Related. (If not, open the lid of the AirPods case, or choose Join subsequent to the earbuds’ gadget identify.)
3. Examine the firmware model
After clicking in your AirPods, a popup will present details about them, together with the firmware quantity subsequent to Model. Examine it in opposition to the firmware numbers listed above, or in opposition to Apple’s record of present AirPod firmware updates.
4. Power an replace
If the firmware model isn’t updated, pop your AirPods into their case, and plug them right into a charging cable. You possibly can put the opposite finish of the charging cable into your Mac. The firmware ought to replace itself. Once more, it usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, however would possibly take half a hour or longer. In case your AirPods got here with a wi-fi charging case, you possibly can put them on a wi-fi charger.
Are you able to replace AirPods firmware on Android or Home windows?
Though you possibly can join your AirPods to an Android gadget or a Home windows laptop, you can not replace the firmware on Android or Home windows. You possibly can solely replace AirPods firmware on iOS, iPadOS and macOS. There may be at the moment no third-party software program that may do an AirPods firmware replace.
Should you’re questioning how one can join AirPods Max to non-Apple units, we now have an in depth information.
Extra firmware replace guides
Editor’s be aware: We initially printed this submit on how one can replace AirPods firmware on November 14, 2019. We refresh it periodically with successive new AirPods firmware variations. Leander Kahney contributed to this submit.
