Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and Beats Studio Buds

Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:19 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2. The firmware has a version number of 8B41, up from 8B40 for the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ and 8B39 for the AirPods Pro 2.

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature
There is no word on what's included in the new firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance improvements.

To get the updated firmware, make sure your AirPods Pro are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and are connected via Bluetooth.

From there, connect your Apple device to Wi-Fi, put your AirPods in the Charging Case, and connect the Charging Case to power. Keep the case closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware update to install. After that, check the version number and repeat the process if the update hasn't been installed.

Apple also released new 1B211 firmware for the Beats Studio Buds, up from 1B204.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3

Tag: AirPods Pro 3 Guide

Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)

Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

jakeowens

18 weeks ago

Really wish there was just a "check for updates" button.

Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)

theirongiant

18 weeks ago

I've often wondered how long the actual firmware update takes, and what happens if you were unfortunate enough to open the case and extract the earbuds during those few critical moments, or simply walk out of range with your phone.

iOS must have a built-in contingency plan for performing a (DFU) Restore on these in that extremely rare eventuality, but I wonder what the user experience is like (i.e.: is the earbud "dead" or does it make a noise). Has anyone managed to interrupt a set of AirPods during a firmware update (assuming you could even tell when one was happening?)

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Gengar

18 weeks ago

I've always found the fastest way to update AirPods is to just connect them to a Mac with a USB cable.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

rog

18 weeks ago

So far performance is more snappy

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

goonie4life9

18 weeks ago

Because Apple continues to refuse to share details on these updates, we're stuck with this: this is the BEST, MOST POWERFUL, MOST CAPABLE firmware that Apple has ever released for the best-in-class AirPod Pros. This truly takes AirPod Pro to a whole new level of the purest vision of the game-changing AirPod Pro.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)