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Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 3 Firmware Update

Apple today released a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 3. The latest firmware has a version number of 8B34, up from the previous version 8B30.

airpods pro 3 design
Apple has a support document for AirPods firmware updates, and it indicates that the 8B34 update contains unspecified "bug fixes and other improvements."

No other AirPods models received firmware updates today.

How to install AirPods Pro firmware updates, according to Apple:

  • Make sure that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is updated to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, and that Bluetooth is on.
  • Make sure that your AirPods are connected via Bluetooth to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  • Connect your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to Wi-Fi.
  • Connect your charging case to power.
  • Put your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid. Keep the lid of the charging case closed, and keep your AirPods in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  • Wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update.
  • Open the lid of the charging case to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  • Check the firmware version again.

AirPods Pro 3 were released in September, with key features versus the previous generation including increased active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, longer battery life per charge, heart rate monitoring during workouts, and more.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

whsbuss Avatar
16 weeks ago

This product has gone downhill fast. I’ve used AirPods since day one, but the AirPods Pro 3 were a shock—I honestly thought they were fake. The “Made in Vietnam” box, cheap-feeling case lid, and weird noises when putting them back in the case don’t help. Call quality is awful—people constantly can’t hear me, so I end up using my phone. Battery life is also worse despite Apple’s claims; both the buds and case are always dying. ANC is unusable on planes because it actually amplifies engine noise. I never had any of these issues with the AirPods Pro 2. Completely unacceptable. The frequent firmware updates is a sign of a desperate company shipping an unfinished product! This would never have happened on Steve Jobs supervision!
Well to each his/her own. I’ve had nothing but good results with the 3’s. And I did own gen 1 and 2.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
16 weeks ago
Why does Apple never want their customers to know what their updates fix? It always seems so mysterious as if Apple listed a fix, they would be confirming there was a bug in the first place. It's more than frustrating when they won't detail WHY they're releasing an update.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
16 weeks ago
I'd love if this firmware update would resolve the issue with the ANC on AirPods Pro 3 (while wearing without any audio source) degrading over time. When I put them in my ears at first, the ANC is great. Then about 10 minutes later I start to notice ambient noise creeping in. When I toggle back to transparency and then to noise cancelling again, the ANC resumes working and everything is quiet again. Rinse and repeat. When these things work the ANC is great. I just hate that the ANC keeps degrading.

UPDATE: They fixed it!!!!!!! Months after buying two sets of AirPods Pro 3 the ANC is finally working consistently. Yay!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
16 weeks ago
Does it fix Conversation Awareness so if you sing to the music it doesn’t lower volume.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aves Avatar
16 weeks ago
updated to 8B34, both case and Pods.

No issues to report.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
whsbuss Avatar
16 weeks ago

Really? I fall asleep to music every night with my APP3s in, and the only complaint I have so far is the lack of high end definition. The added bass response compared with the APP2s (which seemed relatively (too?) flat) is nice, but it seems to have come at the cost of treble response. Hopefully Apple will continue to dial in the sound.

But overall my experience with the APP3s has been great. The improved battery life and improved ANC has been a godsend (the new neighbors upstairs are pretty heavy-footed...), and they are far more comfortable and secure in my ears.
Well I’m only 10 days into my 3’s coming from 2’s and I find the highs more bright than previous ones. Most reviews claim the sound profile is a V response… I find that pretty accurate. Most genera I listen to is jazz and the enhanced bass response is a pleasant surprise.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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