Apple Releases New Beta Firmware for AirPods Pro 2

Apple today introduced a new beta firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2, both the USB-C and Lightning versions. The new firmware is version 6E188, up from the prior 6B34 firmware released in December.

airpods pro 2 pink
Apple does not often provide details or notes on what features might be included in the refreshed firmware, so it is unclear what's new. Note that this software is limited to developers at the current time.

There are no clear cut instructions on how to upgrade AirPods software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air while the ‌‌AirPods‌‌ are connected to an iOS device. Putting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ in the case, connecting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to a power source, and then pairing the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to an iOS device or Mac should force the update.

You can check your ‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ firmware by following these steps:

  • Connect your ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ to your iOS device.
  • Open the Settings app.
  • Tap General.
  • Tap About.
  • Tap ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.
  • Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."

If we learn more about what's new in the firmware update, we'll update this article.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Top Rated Comments

zorinlynx Avatar
4 weeks ago
What is even the point of making a beta available if they tell us NOTHING about what is changed or fixed in this release? As someone who frequently runs beta software, I'm not going to touch this one because there's *no point*. I don't know what to test or what to look for!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FasterQuieter Avatar
4 weeks ago
Mine lost 90% of their ANC abilities since I bought them. There is only a very slight difference between ANC and transparency now. It would be nice if a software update would fix that.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TracesOfArsenic Avatar
4 weeks ago
Likely an ANC nerf to entice people to buy an upcoming new model.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
japanime Avatar
4 weeks ago

However, thousands of Amazon reviews do NOT make much reference to any such problem (and there are plenty of Apple people offering reviews too).
It's great that you are having a good experience with those earbuds, and at that price it's certainly worth taking a chance on them. However, according to the analysis of the Amazon product page by Fakespot, most of those thousands of reviews are bogus. So I'd take what is (or is not) written there with a grain of salt.

Here's the link the full analysis:

https://www.fakespot.com/product/wireless-earbuds-2023-wireless-headphones-hifi-stereo-earphones-with-4-enc-noise-canceling-mic-42hs-playtime-in-ear-earbud-bluetooth-5-3-sport-earphones-with-led-power-display-for-android-ios-white

Attachment Image
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boswald Avatar
4 weeks ago
I’m probably in the minority because I actually get excited for APP updates. I’m always shocked when Apple manages to make my favorite earbuds sound even better.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tobybrut Avatar
4 weeks ago

I see no changes to ANC. As poor as it was before.
For those of you having trouble with ANC, are you all sure you’re not in Adaptive mode where ANC is less than half of what it is in pure ANC mode? I have two sets, a Lightning and USB-C version, and both of them have ANC so good they can practically eliminate the sound of leaf blowers right outside my window where the people using them are no more than 15 feet away from me. I’ve never heard ANC so good on any device. I can actually sleep through that awful noise with the APP 2’s in my ears.

I don’t see any point for Adaptive mode, which to me is very close to Transparency mode, which makes me think you’re all using Adaptive mode instead of Noise Cancellation mode. What I’m getting out of ANC seems radically different from what at least three of you are hearing.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone Home Screen Gradient Blank Spaces 1

Sources: iOS 18 Lets Apps Be Placed Anywhere on Home Screen Grid

Sunday March 24, 2024 1:33 pm PDT by
iOS 18 will give iPhone users greater control over Home Screen app icon arrangement, according to sources familiar with the matter. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, to ensure there is some uniformity, our sources say that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18. For example, we expect that the update will introduce...
maxresdefault

iOS 18 Rumored to Feature 'More Customizable' Home Screen

Sunday March 24, 2024 7:10 am PDT by
iOS 18 will feature a revamped Home Screen that is "more customizable," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He revealed this information in his Power On newsletter today, but he did not provide any specific details. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple will announce iOS 18 at its annual developers conference WWDC in June. Other features and changes rumored for...
iPad Pro 2024 Landscape Camera Feature

New iPad Pro Again Rumored to Feature Landscape Front-Facing Camera

Monday March 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
The next-generation iPad Pro will feature a landscape-oriented front-facing camera for the first time, according to the Apple leaker known as "Instant Digital." Instant Digital reiterated the design change earlier today on Weibo with a simple accompanying 2D image. The post reveals that the entire TrueDepth camera array will move to the right side of the device, while the microphone will...
iPhone 15 General Feature Green

Apple Says These New iOS Features Are Coming Later This Year

Sunday March 24, 2024 7:45 am PDT by
Apple has previously announced three new iOS features that it said are coming to the iPhone later this year, as outlined below. The new features include the ability to install iPhone apps on the web in the EU, RCS support in the Messages app, and next-generation CarPlay. Web Distribution Apple recently announced that eligible developers will soon be able to distribute their iOS apps to ...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue Face ID Single Camera Hole

Seven Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17

Tuesday March 19, 2024 5:20 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models concurrently, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
combine images

Top Stories: iOS 18's Generative AI Features to Rely on Google?, Latest on New iPads, and More

Saturday March 23, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
We're getting closer to the launch of new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, while rumors about iOS 18 are continuing to ramp up with this week's surprise revelation that Apple has been talking to Google and others about potentially helping power the generative AI features expected to be a major part of this year's update. Other news this week saw the release of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple's Four Upcoming AirPods Models

Friday March 22, 2024 9:03 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's rumored plan to refresh the entire AirPods lineup with a series of new models. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos The fourth-generation AirPods will reportedly feature a new design with a better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C port. For the first time ever,...