Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware With iOS 27 Features

Tuesday July 7, 2026 11:19 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today released a third version of the beta firmware it is testing for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware is limited to developers at the current time, and it has a build number of 9A5314b.

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware 2
In iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, Apple is adding a new AirPods interface, a slider for Adaptive mode, and support for custom EQ, so the firmware adds support for those features. AirPods are also compatible with the new Siri AI.

When the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 or later, there is a beta firmware option that can be accessed in the AirPods settings interface. Toggling on beta updates allows users to install the beta firmware.

Firmware updates can be downloaded by connecting the AirPods to an Apple device and connecting them to power. It can take a few hours for new firmware to be installed because there is no straightforward software update option like there is for other Apple devices.

Related Roundups: AirPods 5, AirPods Max 2, AirPods Pro 3, iOS 27, iPadOS 27

Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now), AirPods Max (Buy Now), AirPods Pro (Neutral)

Related Forums: AirPods, iOS 27

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Top Rated Comments

BeatsByTim

17 weeks ago

Airpod in one ear, hammer in the other.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

MrENGLISH

17 weeks ago

It’s 2026. I don't understand why Apple makes it so difficult for consumers to update their AirPods. 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

zoomp

17 weeks ago

EQ is a game changer for apple. Finally. How many steps in the EQ? Is it parametric?

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

one more

16 weeks ago

My AP4 ANC are still on 9A304b. Have tried all the usual update rituals, they seem to resist. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Edit: everything updated last night by itself.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

LelandHendrix

16 weeks ago

Is this it, and could there be a typo in the copy that adds a 5?? I'm guessing not, but I'm just curious. I don't know the numbering conventions for these versions