Apple Rolls Out AirPods Beta Firmware Build 9B5045a
The update arrives without release notes, requiring testers to opt into the AirPods beta, leave devices connected to power for automatic installation.
Overview
- Apple distributed beta firmware build 9B5045a for recent models including the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Max 2.
- The build is available to both developers and public beta testers through an opt-in AirPods beta toggle on devices running iOS 26, iPadOS 26 or macOS 26 or later.
- Apple publishes no release notes for AirPods firmware betas, so the specific fixes or new features in 9B5045a are unknown until testers report hands-on changes.
- Installation happens automatically when AirPods are left connected to a qualifying Apple device plus power, and the process can take several hours because there is no manual update button for AirPods.
- Because past incremental betas have sometimes unlocked iOS-level AirPods features as well as stability fixes, reporters and users will watch tester feedback for any platform-level changes or bug fixes.