Welcome to Product Support, a column devoted to helping you get the most out of the gadgets and software you already use.
Apple constantly rolls out firmware updates to its AirPod line — including AirPods (2nd-Gen), AirPods (3rd-Gen), AirPods Pro and AirPods Max — so that they get better over time. In the past, these firmware updates have fixed bugs and improved things like charging and battery life, audio and call quality, and even brought over special features like automatic switching between devices and support for spatial audio. And the most recent updates to AirPods Pro have brought over some big features to the AirPods Pro (2nd-Gen) like Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Personalized Volume.
The bottom line: you should always make sure that your AirPods — whichever models you have — are up to date. And it's really easy to do.
Apple's most recent firmware updates
• September 2023: Apple rolled out the "6A300" and "6A301" firmware updates for AirPods Pro (2nd-Gen) — both Lightning and USB-C charging models — that brought support for its newest features: Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Personalized Volume. This update also rolled out to the AirPods 3, AirPods Pro (1st- and 2nd-Gen) and AirPods Max, bringing new mute/unmute controls for calls and improved auto-switching.
• October 2023: Apple rolled out the "6A303" firmware update for AirPods Pro (2nd-Gen) — both Lightning and USB-C charging models — that according to Apple, delivers "bug fixes and other improvements."
How to update your AirPods
It's very easy to make sure your your AirPods, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max are up to date. All you need to do is make sure your connected iPhone is running iOS 17 (or your iPad is running iPadOS 17 or later). If it is, your AirPods, AirPods or AirPods Max are likely already updated. But to check to make sure, follow these steps:
- Make sure you have them paired to your iPhone or iPad.
- Open the Settings app > General > About.
- Scroll down and select the name of your AirPods.
- Check the firmware version of your AirPods.
The most recent firmware updates to Apple's line of AirPods (all models) is as follows:
- AirPods Pro (2nd-Gen, USB-C or Lightning): 6A303
- AirPods Pro (1st-Gen): 6A300
- AirPods (2nd-Gen): 6A300
- AirPods 3: 6A300
- AirPods Max: 6A300
- AirPods (1st-Gen): 6.8.8
If your AirPods or AirPods Pro are not update to date, you can try to initiate the firmware update manually. You need to make sure they're inside their charging case and paired with your iPhone or iPad. Then plug them in so they are being charged, either by a Lightning cord or a wireless charging pad, and the open the lid of the AirPods Pro.
If you have AirPods Max and they are not up to date, you need to make sure they're connected to your iPhone or iPad and charging.
Unfortunately, there isn't a button to manually update AirPods, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max; you kind of have to just follow the above steps and wait. After waiting a few minutes they should update on their own.
To learn more about the latest software updates to your AirPods, check out Apple's support page.
