AirPods and AirPods Pro updated with new firmware

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AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in General Discussion edited December 2019
Apple has released new firmware for its AirPods and AirPods Pro, with the updates starting to roll out to the audio accessories and install automatically, though it is unclear exactly what changes have been made to the software for the audio accessories.




The new firmware is build 2C54 and replaces the previously used firmware on both AirPods and the AirPods Pro. The update brings both models together under the same build number for the first time, instead of having separate builds for each.

This marks the second firmware release for the AirPods Pro. The first firmware update, build number 2B588, was released on November 14 and only applied to the AirPods Pro, not the AirPods.

Apple does not provide release notes for its accessory firmware updates, making it difficult to determine exactly what the firmware does. Given the radio silence about features, it is more likely that the software update introduced increased compatibility with other operating systems in the Apple ecosystem, or provided other performance improvements.






Owners of either model do not need to perform any actions with the AirPods to apply the update, as it will be automatically applied when they are connected to an iPhone or iPad. There is no update mechanism available for the firmware, but the version in use can be checked via the Settings app then tapping General, About, and AirPods Pro or AirPods.

The update process does require the AirPods to be kept within the supplied charging case for it to take place, and for the case to be on charge and within range of the host iOS device.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 27
    wcj1wcj1 Posts: 1member
    What is the Firmware version? Mine say 6.8.8. Is that the most recent?
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  • Reply 2 of 27
    Metriacanthosaurusmetriacanthosaurus Posts: 880member
    Hopefully this fixes the issue I have with AirPods being completely unusable for dictation.
    king editor the grate
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  • Reply 3 of 27
    hcrefugeehcrefugee Posts: 98member
    wcj1 said:
    What is the Firmware version? Mine say 6.8.8. Is that the most recent?
    Mine says 6.8.8 as well. Is the update only for 2nd gen and Pro? My AirPods are 1st gen.
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  • Reply 4 of 27
    llamallama Posts: 105member
    Hmm, I've never actually looked at the AirPods in the About screens.  I have the AirPods v2 with wireless charging case so I am a little surprised that the Hardware Version says 1.0.0.  What do the v1's say?

    FWIW my current firmware is 2A364, now to figure out how to upgrade.
    edited December 2019
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  • Reply 5 of 27
    Japheyjaphey Posts: 1,773member
    llama said:
    Hmm, I've never actually looked at the AirPods in the About screens.  I have the AirPods v2 with wireless charging case so I am a little surprised that the Hardware Version says 1.0.0.  What do the v1's say?

    FWIW my current firmware is 2A364, now to figure out how to upgrade.
    Did you not read the article? It says it will be applied automatically and that users don’t have to do anything. 
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  • Reply 6 of 27
    llamallama Posts: 105member
    Japhey said:
    Did you not read the article? It says it will be applied automatically and that users don’t have to do anything. 
    I did and that is exactly what happened (I didn't have to do anything besides hook them to power).  But hey, thanks for being a tool about it.
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  • Reply 7 of 27
    appleinsideruserappleinsideruser Posts: 709member
    I hope it fixes the hissing: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250829465?page=2

    I have tried the full reset several times as some reported that this worked for them. It made no difference to me. Still hisses if Noise Control not in “off” mode. The irony!
    edited December 2019
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  • Reply 8 of 27
    velociveloci Posts: 10member
    Hopefully this fixes my YouTube issue. After 5-10mins the audio starts to play up. Similar to old school static but the digital version. Only happens with YouTube. 
    Anyone else experiencing this?
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  • Reply 9 of 27
    hcrefugeehcrefugee Posts: 98member
    MacRumors is reporting that the update is just for AirPods2 and Pro. 
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  • Reply 10 of 27
    Anilu_777anilu_777 Posts: 587member
    I hope it fixes connectivity. Sometimes I put them in my ears and the sound plays through the phone speakers. 
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  • Reply 11 of 27
    fastasleepfastasleep Posts: 6,467member
    appleinsideruser said:
    I hope it fixes the hissing: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250829465?page=2

    I have tried the full reset several times as some reported that this worked for them. It made no difference to me. Still hisses if Noise Control not in “off” mode. The irony!
    Contact Apple Support.
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  • Reply 12 of 27
    gcrjordangcrjordan Posts: 3unconfirmed, member
    Mine have been Hooked up for a half and hour and nothing has updated from 2A3764
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  • Reply 13 of 27
    gcrjordangcrjordan Posts: 3unconfirmed, member
    sorry 2A364
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  • Reply 14 of 27
    fred1fred1 Posts: 1,153member
    I've had mine charging and near my iPhone connected to WiFi for two hours and still no update to the firmware.  Any suggestions?
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  • Reply 15 of 27
    emoelleremoeller Posts: 593member
    fred1 said:
    I've had mine charging and near my iPhone connected to WiFi for two hours and still no update to the firmware.  Any suggestions?f 

    How to Force an AirPods Firmware Update

    If you find that a new version of the AirPods firmware is available, but not yet installed, you can try forcing your AirPods to update.

    To do so, put your AirPods into their Charging Case, start charging the case, and place it near your iPhone. Next, open the cover and then dismiss the on-screen battery display.


    appleinsiderusermbenz1962razorpitcaladanian
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  • Reply 16 of 27
    appleinsideruserappleinsideruser Posts: 709member
    fastasleep said:
    appleinsideruser said:
    I hope it fixes the hissing: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250829465?page=2

    I have tried the full reset several times as some reported that this worked for them. It made no difference to me. Still hisses if Noise Control not in “off” mode. The irony!
    Contact Apple Support.
    Yes, I have. Replacements on the way. I thought the timing was ironic too as they’d told me at the weekend that there wasn’t a later firmware available. I’ll try updating my faulty ones later...
    fastasleep
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 17 of 27
    fred1fred1 Posts: 1,153member
    emoeller said:
    fred1 said:
    I've had mine charging and near my iPhone connected to WiFi for two hours and still no update to the firmware.  Any suggestions?f 

    How to Force an AirPods Firmware Update

    If you find that a new version of the AirPods firmware is available, but not yet installed, you can try forcing your AirPods to update.

    To do so, put your AirPods into their Charging Case, start charging the case, and place it near your iPhone. Next, open the cover and then dismiss the on-screen battery display.


    Thanks.  I did what you said, waited another 45 minutes, and . .  . success.  Not sure what I gained, but at least I'm up to date.
    caladanian
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  • Reply 18 of 27
    svanstromsvanstrom Posts: 702member
    llama said:
    Hmm, I've never actually looked at the AirPods in the About screens.  I have the AirPods v2 with wireless charging case so I am a little surprised that the Hardware Version says 1.0.0.  What do the v1's say?

    FWIW my current firmware is 2A364, now to figure out how to upgrade.
    Mine says hardware version 1.0.0; and they are guaranteed first gen.

    Firmware 6.8.8.
    llama
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  • Reply 19 of 27
    GeorgeBMacgeorgebmac Posts: 11,421member
    Japhey said:
    llama said:
    Hmm, I've never actually looked at the AirPods in the About screens.  I have the AirPods v2 with wireless charging case so I am a little surprised that the Hardware Version says 1.0.0.  What do the v1's say?

    FWIW my current firmware is 2A364, now to figure out how to upgrade.
    Did you not read the article? It says it will be applied automatically and that users don’t have to do anything. 

    Actually, it says:
    "The update process does require the AirPods to be kept within the supplied charging case for it to take place, and for the case to be on charge and within range of the host iOS device. "

    For most people that is true.  But my grandson will have to make a special effort to do that because, typically, his AirPods get charged downstairs while his iPhone is charged upstairs.   He'll have to leave them together -- probably overnight -- since these updates seldom kick off immediately.
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  • Reply 20 of 27
    MustSeeUHDTVmustseeuhdtv Posts: 319member
    Is there a firmware for the Powerbeats Pro?
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