Apple Releases Software Updates for These AirPods
Apple this week released firmware updates for all AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 models.
Here are the previous and current firmware versions for these models:
- AirPods 4 without Active Noise Cancellation: 7B19 → 7B21
- AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: 7B19 → 7B21
- AirPods Pro 2 with Lightning charging case: 7B19 → 7B20
- AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C charging case: 7B19 → 7B20
Unfortunately, Apple's release notes for AirPods firmware updates are often vague. Apple's website says firmware versions 7B20 and 7B21 include "bug fixes and other improvements," but no further details have been provided.
There is no way to manually force the installation of a firmware update on AirPods. Apple says firmware updates are "delivered automatically" when the AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that is connected to Wi-Fi. To check which firmware version is installed on your AirPods, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap on Bluetooth, tap on the Info symbol next to your AirPods, and check the Version field.
Last month's firmware version 7B19 enabled new hearing aid, hearing test, and hearing protection features on AirPods Pro 2 when paired with an iPhone or iPad running iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 or later. Availability of these features varies by country. Apple's release notes never indicated what that firmware version added to the AirPods 4.
Popular Stories
Macworld's Filipe Espósito today revealed a handful of features that Apple is allegedly planning for iOS 26.4, iOS 27, and even iOS 28.
The report said the features are referenced within the code for a leaked internal build of iOS 26 that is not meant to be seen by the public. However, it appears that Espósito and/or his sources managed to gain access to it, providing us with a sneak peek...
Last week, details about unreleased Apple devices and future iOS features were shared by Macworld. This week, we learned where the information came from, plus we have more findings from the leak.
As it turns out, an Apple prototype device running an early build of iOS 26 was sold, and the person who bought it shared the software. The OS has a version number of 23A5234w, and the first...
Software from an iPhone prototype running an early build of iOS 26 leaked last week, giving us a glimpse at future Apple devices and iOS features. We recapped device codenames in our prior article, and now we have a list of some of the most notable feature flags that were found in the software code.
In some cases, it's obvious what the feature flags are referring to, while some are more...
The first foldable iPhone will feature a series of design and hardware firsts for Apple, according to details shared by the Weibo leaker known as Digital Chat Station.
According to a new post, via machine translation, Apple is developing what the leaker describes as a "wide foldable" device, a term used to refer to a horizontally oriented, book-style foldable with a large internal display....
Apple today released iOS 26.2, the second major update to the iOS 26 operating system that came out in September, iOS 26.2 comes a little over a month after iOS 26.1 launched. iOS 26.2 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and later, as well as the second-generation iPhone SE.
The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings >...
Apple seeded the second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to developers earlier this week, meaning the update will be released to the general public very soon.
Apple confirmed iOS 26.2 would be released in December, but it did not provide a specific date. We expect the update to be released by early next week.
iOS 26.2 includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, such as a new...
Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.2, the second major update to the macOS Tahoe operating system that came out in September. macOS Tahoe 26.2 comes five weeks after Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.1.
Mac users can download the macOS Tahoe update by using the Software Update section of System Settings.
macOS Tahoe 26.2 includes Edge Light, a feature that illuminates your face with soft...
Apple released the AirPods Max on December 15, 2020, meaning the over-ear headphones launched five years ago today. While the AirPods Max were updated with a USB-C port and new color options last year, followed by support for lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio this year, the headphones lack some of the features that have been introduced for newer generations of the regular AirPods and the ...
