Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max - MacRumors
Skip to Content

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 Event Logo

Apple's Next Era Begins September 1

Thursday May 7, 2026 10:36 am PDT by
Apple recently announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO later this year, after 15 years of leading the company. Effective September 1, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO, while Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In his new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company,...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features

Saturday May 9, 2026 6:03 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
MacBook Pro Low Angle Wide Lens

macOS 27: Two More Changes Leaked Ahead of WWDC Next Month

Sunday May 10, 2026 9:45 am PDT by
macOS 27 will have a "slight redesign" compared to macOS Tahoe, according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the design changes will help to improve the readability of macOS Tahoe's Liquid Glass interface:If you've used Tahoe, you're likely familiar with some of the quirks — particularly the transparency effects and shadows that...

Top Rated Comments

tgwaste Avatar
47 months ago
Automatic Switching is STILL an absolutely utter and horrific tragedy.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
47 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
47 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)
47 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)
47 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)
47 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)