Apple has released a new AirPods beta firmware build 9B5042a for developers and public beta testers. The update is available for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Max 2.
Apple has not published release notes for this beta firmware, so the company has not disclosed what changes or fixes are included.
How to access AirPods beta firmware
To opt in, connect the AirPods to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 or later and open the AirPods settings interface. A beta firmware option appears there; toggling on beta updates enables installation of the beta build.
Firmware downloads occur when the AirPods are connected to an Apple device and placed on power. Because AirPods do not offer a manual software update control like other Apple products, it can take a few hours for new firmware to install after the download begins.
