It’s not too difficult to install beta upgrades on iPhones and MacBooks. Simply sign up for the Apple Beta programme, and then apply the updates as soon as you get them. The AirPods, on the other hand, are not the same. For the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, Apple does not provide a straightforward method for installing beta firmware.
Installing AirPods beta software is a catchy assignment and requires bribery with Developer Mode on an iPhone, that in itself, is advised alone for developers and testers. But you charge to install the latest beta firmware to analysis out new AirPods appearance like Adaptive Audio. Below, we accept abundant the accomplish to installing AirPods beta firmware, but we would not acclaim you to do so unless you are accessible to booty some austere risk.
Prerequisites to Install AirPods Beta Firmware
As stated above, installing beta software on AirPods is not a straightforward process and there are a couple of prerequisites that you need to fulfill before you begin the process.
- Installing beta firmware is only supported on a few AirPods models, namely AirPods (2nd and 3rd Generation), AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd Generation), and AirPods Max.
- iPhone and a Mac device with the Xcode app
How to Install Beta Firmware on AirPods Pro
It’s ready to start the process now that you have fulfilled the prerequisite. The process is the same for all supported AirPods models, albeit we are utilising the AirPods Pro 2 for this article.
Step 1: Enable Developer Mode on iPhone
You can only install beta firmware on your AirPods if you have enabled Developer Mode on your iPhone. Here’s how you can enable the Developer Mode on your iPhone via the Settings app.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to the Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down and find the Developer Mode option. Turn on the toggle to enable Developer Mode. Your iPhone will now restart.
Step 2: Turn on AirPods Pre-release Beta Firmware
Now that you have enabled Developer Mode on your iPhone, follow the next steps:
- Go to Settings -> Privacy & Security and then tap on the “Developer Mode” option.
- Scroll down and tap on the “Pre-Release Beta Firmware“ option under the AirPods Testing menu. Enable the toggle against your AirPods name. Finally, tap on Agree.
Although there is currently no mechanism to “force upgrade” AirPods, you may have to wait up to 24 hours to receive the new beta software. When your AirPods are in their case and close to the iPhone on which you have activated the toggle, according to Apple, your AirPods will receive the beta software update. It will automatically install the beta software.
Step 3: Check AirPods firmware version
While Apple does not notify you when your AirPods are updated to the beta firmware, you can check manually. Here are the steps for that:
- Under Bluetooth in the Settings, tap on ‘i’ against your AirPods’ name and check the version.
As a point of reference, the beta firmware build number for the AirPods Pro 2 is 6A238h, and the most recent stable firmware version is 5E135.
How to Turn off Beta Software Updates for AirPods
You may now disable the toggle next to your AirPods name in the Developer option on your iPhone if you no longer want to receive beta updates for AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max.
Please be aware that doing this would only prevent future beta firmware upgrades for your AirPods, not downgrade them to the stable version. Until a stable update for your AirPods is released, they will continue to operate on beta firmware.
Ref: Beebom