Overview
- Apple made AirPods firmware build 9A5314b available to public beta testers on Tuesday, July 14, offering the same build that was in last week’s developer beta.
- The beta covers AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods (4th gen) and, for the first time, AirPods Max 2, which can now receive firmware updates through devices running iOS, iPadOS or macOS 27 public betas.
- The firmware enables specific iOS 27 features including a redesigned AirPods interface, an Adaptive mode slider, custom equalizer controls, expanded GymKit support and compatibility with the new Siri AI.
- To enroll users must toggle “AirPods Beta Updates” in Bluetooth settings on a device running the OS 27 public beta and let updates install automatically while AirPods are in their charging case and near the paired device.
- Apple warns installations can take several hours, cannot be manually forced through a check-for-update button, and beta firmware can be unstable with rollback limits so testers should prefer secondary devices.