Apple AirPods Pro 3
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June 20 update. This post, first published on June 17, was updated with more details of the AirPods software, and firmware update for earbuds from Apple’s other brand, Beats.
Apple has just updated the firmware for its AirPods Pro earbuds. The last update for AirPods Pro 3 was two months ago, but was restricted to the third-generation of Pro AirPods only. This time the software is for AirPods Pro 2 as well. Installation is not quite as intuitive as for the iPhone — full details below.
And no sooner had the AirPods update arrived but there was another software release, for Beats Studio Buds, Apple’s other headphone brand. More on that below.
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Firmware updates for Apple’s earbuds happen sporadically and are usually accompanied by the briefest of release notes. Apple merely says the new firmware is all about “Bug fixes and other improvements,” on its support page.
That’s identical to the notes for the 11 updates that preceded it, by the way. In other words, there’s not much to be deduced here, unlike the extensive notes which accompanied the release of AirPods Pro 3 last fall.
Nonetheless, bug fixes and improvements seem like good things to have, so here’s how it’s done.
“Apple typically keeps firmware updates for its audio products fairly lightweight on details. Most changes happen under the hood. That means users are unlikely to notice new functionality immediately,” Trusted Reviews commented.
“Even so, users may see improvements in connection stability, audio performance, or battery optimisation,” it added.
Whatever the details, bug fixes and improvements seem like good things to have, so here’s how it’s done starting with the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3.
Unlike an iPhone software update, which just involves going to Settings and choosing Software Update, the route here is a little more circuitous.
First, make sure the Apple device to which you’re going to connect the AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Pro 2 is on the latest software, with Bluetooth turned on. The device can be an iPhone, iPad or Mac and you’ll now whether you’re on the latest version because you’ll be offered an update if there’s a more recent one available.
Connect the AirPods to the device and make sure the device is connected to Wi-Fi. Connect the charging case to power.
Put the earbuds in the charging case if they’re not there already and close the lid. Make sure the case is within Bluetooth range of the device.
Apple then recommends waiting at least 30 minutes for the update to take place — for me the update happened in less than 20 minutes, for reference. To be precise, the earbuds updated in that time, while the charging case took another 15 minutes. So, Apple’s suggestion of 30 minutes plus seems spot-on.
After that time, open the lid of the case so the AirPods reconnect to your iPhone, iPad or Mac, at which point Apple recommends checking the firmware version again. If it’s still on 8B39 for AirPods Pro 2 or 8B40 for AirPods Pro 3, the update hasn’t taken place.
On the iPhone, for instance, this is done by opening Settings where you’ll see the AirPods listed on the first page. If they’re not, they’re not connected. Tap the AirPods listing and scroll right to the end of the page that opens. Under About you’ll see the version listed. You’re looking for 8B41, the latest version number. That’ll be the same on AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe charging case (USB-C) and AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe charging case (Lightning).
Note that AirPods 3 Pro were previously on 8B40, while AirPods Pro 2 have updated from 8B39, so both AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 are now on the same firmware build for the first time in months.
Apple has issued a support document for the new Beats firmware. Here, the company is much more specific about what’s going on. “An attacker within Bluetooth range may be able to listen through the microphone of a device,” it begins, before explaining that it is a vulnerability in open source code and that “Apple Software is among the affected projects.”
The new firmware update number is 1B211. The process for updating is not dissimilar to the method described above. Pair the Beats Studio Buds with an iPhone, iPad or Mac, place them in the case and connect to power. Providing they are in Bluetooth range of the paired device, the update should install automatically and take about the same time as the AirPods, if my experience is anything to go by.
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