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Apple Finally Explains How to Install New Firmware on Your AirPods

Apple regularly releases new firmware for the AirPods, AirPods Pro (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/airpods-pro/), and AirPods Max (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/airpods-max/), but the company has historically provided limited information on how to initiate an update. That changed today, and Apple updated its AirPods firmware support page (https://support.apple.com/en-us/106340) with more specific instructions.



(https://images.macrumors.com/article-new/2024/10/airpods-4-blue.jpeg)

Prior to today, here's what Apple said on the subject:

Firmware updates are delivered automatically while your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi . You can also use your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to check that your AirPods have the latest version.

Apple still has that same information, but now it's accompanied by step-by-step instructions on how to force an update, including troubleshooting steps if your AirPods won't update.

<ol>

    <li>Make sure that your AirPods are in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi.</li>

    <li>Put your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.</li>

    <li>Plug the charging cable into your charging case, then plug the other end of the cable into a USB charger or port.</li>

    <li>Keep the lid of the charging case closed, and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update.</li>

    <li>Open the lid of the charging case to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.</li>

    <li>Check the firmware version again.</li>

If you still can't update your firmware, reset your AirPods, then try to update your firmware again.</li>

</ol>

This process was generally already known, but the specific steps for charging via a cable and the 30 minute+ wait time remove any ambiguity on how to get new firmware installed.<div class="linkback">Related Roundups: AirPods 4 (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/airpods/), AirPods Max (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/airpods-max/), AirPods Pro (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/airpods-pro/)</div><div class="linkback">Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now) (https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#AirPods), AirPods Max (Buy Now) (https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#AirPods-Max), AirPods Pro (Caution) (https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#AirPods-Pro)</div><div class="linkback">Related Forum: AirPods (https://forums.macrumors.com/forums/airpods.216)</div>
This article, &quot;Apple Finally Explains How to Install New Firmware on Your AirPods (https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/27/airpods-firmware-update-instructions/)&quot; first appeared on MacRumors.com (https://www.macrumors.com)

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Source: Apple Finally Explains How to Install New Firmware on Your AirPods (https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/27/airpods-firmware-update-instructions/)