Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max

Apple today provided developers with a new beta firmware update for the AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max. The new beta has a version number of 5B5040c.

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware
Apple has been providing beta updates for the AirPods since the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, and the firmware is limited to developers who can download it from the Developer Center. Installing the beta requires an iPhone running iOS 16, a Mac running the macOS Ventura beta, Xcode 14, and supported AirPods.

Developers are required to pair the AirPods with an ‌‌iPhone‌‌, connect the ‌‌iPhone‌‌ to a Mac with a Lightning cable, launch Xcode 14 beta on the Mac, navigate to Settings > Developer, and choose Pre-Release Beta Firmware under the AirPods Testing section. Subsequent updates are delivered over the air once the pre-release testing option is enabled.

There is no word on what is included in the beta firmware at this time. The prior version of the AirPods firmware added improvements to Automatic Switching and stability fixes.

Following testing, the software will come to all AirPods and it could potentially see a launch alongside iOS 16.1, which is also in testing.

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

tgwaste Avatar
44 months ago
Automatic Switching is STILL an absolutely utter and horrific tragedy.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
choppsv1 Avatar
44 months ago
Doesn't anyone else think it's ridiculous that apple expects developers to test new software w/o providing any indication of what changed?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Grayburn Avatar
44 months ago

Nope, ANC is one thing Apple got right on the AP2!
They got it right on the very first firmware for the Gen 1 Pro’s but then ****ed it up gradually in every subsequent firmware "upgrade" afterwards.

It’s better in the Gen 2’s then it is in the Gen 1’s but it’s not totally amazing.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macmac30 Avatar
44 months ago

Downgrading “old” AirPods ANC so the new feel like a true improvement
Nope, ANC is one thing Apple got right on the AP2!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MaaK Avatar
44 months ago

The main problem of ANC is that it can fully isolate you from the environment.

good if you are busy studying/working in a loud environment, but bad if you are walking across the city and isolate from anything around you.
True, but isn’t that what ANC is all about? If you are walking on a street with full ANC on and get into an accident it‘s kind of your won fault.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
whcchief Avatar
44 months ago

Downgrading “old” AirPods ANC so the new feel like a true improvement
Nah they already nerfed them a year or two ago.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)