AirPods are getting some major new updates today as part of iOS 18, most notably the AirPods Pro 2: there are new gesture controls, improved audio quality for gaming and calls, more control over Adaptive Audio and spatial audio for gaming.
There are some differences depending on which AirPods model you have.
New Siri interactions, which let you answer or mute calls and notifications using head movements, are available on all AirPods. New Voice Isolation for clearer calls is also available on all AirPods.
Personalized spatial audio for gaming requires AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.
How to get the new AirPods update
In most cases, your AirPods will get the update automatically as long as the appropriate update is initiated, they’re within Bluetooth range of your Wi-Fi-connected iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and they’re charging. Once the update is installed, you’ll get a cheerful welcome message the next time you use your earbuds or headphones.
If you have AirPods Pro 2, you may already have the update: my pair automatically updated to version number 7A294 over the weekend.
If you’re not sure whether you have the latest version, you can easily check out the best AirPods models.
If you connect your AirPods and view the device information (go to Settings > Bluetooth; tap the info button next to your AirPods and scroll down to About) on your iPhone or iPad, you should see the name of the currently installed firmware.
On a Mac, the same information can be found under Apple menu > System Information > Bluetooth and then the name of your AirPods. The most recent firmware for each AirPod model can always be found on this page on Apple’s website.
If you don’t appear to have the correct firmware version for your model, you can force an over-the-air update by connecting them to your Mac: for AirPods Max, that means connecting them directly via the Lightning-to-USB cable, and for AirPods and AirPods Pro, that means placing your earbuds in their charging case and then connecting the case to your computer. That should initiate the update process for you – you can read a more step-by-step process in our full guide on how to update your AirPods’ firmware.
If you make sure you’re up to date before iOS 18 even comes out, you should be able to access the new features right away. Or, if iOS 18 arrives and things don’t seem to be working, check your firmware in case the software hasn’t landed on your AirPods yet.
