Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods 4, and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and ‌AirPods 4‌ firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October.

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature
There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2, ‌AirPods 4‌ with ANC, and ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ are both set to get expanded support for Live Translation in the European Union in iOS 26.2, which is being beta tested.

The firmware could be related to that upcoming functionality, or it could add bug fixes and performance improvements.

To install the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. From there, 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.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
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
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two 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...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...

Top Rated Comments

Astuces iOS Avatar
12 weeks ago
AirPods Pro 1 deadass or what?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benroberts3 Avatar
12 weeks ago
Updated my AirPods Pro 3. Hopefully, this isn’t a placebo effect, but I can tell that the conversation awareness is much faster, and the noise cancellation is much better/stronger. Not sure how to describe this, but I can definitely tell a difference sitting in a room with a fan going or an air purifier. Would love to hear from others what it’s like on an airplane with the engines going.

This feels more like a bug fix update to improve speed and stability rather than new features. This is a welcomed firmware update that was needed.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LiquidGlass Avatar
12 weeks ago

ANC is the exact same, and still worse than AirPods Pro 2, sound quality is the exact same
If your ANC is worse than on the AirPods Pro 2, it’s almost definitely the fit. Try adjusting how you insert the Pro 3s or switch to different tips.

When I first got them at launch, I was underwhelmed too. It took a couple of weeks and some tip swapping to get used to them and figure out the right placement. Now the difference is almost night and day, I’ve never had earbuds with ANC this good.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Happy_John Avatar
11 weeks ago

Anybody with Pro 2's (usb-c) have their case update? My pods updated to 8B21 but my case is still on 8A358
It was a full 24 hours for the case update to have registered after the AirPods themselves had registered (AP4ANC) - all you can do is be patient.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
amancalledsun Avatar
12 weeks ago

AirPods Pro 1 deadass or what?
Yep. Apple knows they all crackle by now, so you just use them without NR and there's no point in putting out updates.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wombat-man Avatar
12 weeks ago
It would be nice if my AirPods Pro 2 would work properly with my kindle
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)