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Apple has released a beta firmware update for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4.
Apple has released a new developer beta firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, with support for camera controls, better CarPlay hand-off, and more.
Thursday’s developer beta increases the build number to 8A5308b, up from the previous 8A5293c update. This beta software release is available for AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2, both the USB-C and Lightning models. The software won’t be released for AirPods Max or other non-H2 devices.
Beta firmware updates are released periodically for nearly all of Apple’s platforms, including AirPods. While beta updates for Apple’s mobile and desktop operating systems are released much more frequently, developers still rely on beta software for AirPods to test new features before launch.
With the debut of iOS 26, Apple introduced several new features specifically for AirPods and AirPods Pro models, including camera controls, improved CarPlay hand-off, and a new voice isolation mode powered by the H2 chip. Thursday’s 8A5308b beta firmware update also requires a device running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS Tahoe for installation.
How to install the AirPods beta firmware
Apple has made it relatively easy to download and install beta versions for iOS and macOS, but that’s not the case for AirPods firmware updates.
The first step in the process is to have a registered developer account, which is now free. Once you do that, follow these steps:
- Ensure Developer Mode is enabled in Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Developer Mode.
- If it is enabled or after enabling it, go to Settings -> Developer.
- Near the bottom, select Pre-Release Beta Firmware under AirPods Testing.
- Select which AirPods you’d like to enroll in the beta.
You can watch the video above to see the process if you need any assistance. Be aware that sometimes the Developer Mode might not pop up as required in the process, which means connecting the iPhone to a Mac running the current Xcode beta.
