Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to enable and download beta firmware updates on your AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.
Test Out Apple’s Latest AirPods Beta Firmware Update, Here’s How to Download it Now
Apple announced a brand-new update for AirPods at WWDC 2025. It includes a bunch of new features, some of which it highlighted on its website and some of which were hidden.
Though the update is set for release later this year, alongside iOS 26 and others, the beta firmware is available for download for AirPods right now.
There are a few things you should know before you install the beta, and I’ll walk you through everything.
You Can’t Downgrade Back Once You Upgrade
Once you download the new beta on your AirPods, you can’t downgrade back. You have to install each and every single beta until the final version arrives later this year. There’s no exception to this.
Supported AirPods with the New Beta Update
Though this tutorial is applicable to every single AirPods model out there, but in the context of the recently announced update, these models are supported:
- AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning and USB-C)
- AirPods 4
- AirPods 4 with ANC
Download and Install iOS 26 Beta on iPhone
You have to install iOS 26 beta on your iPhone in order to access the AirPods firmware beta.
You don’t have to pay Apple $99 in order to download the update, and you can find all the details by going to this link.
Download AirPods Beta Firmware
Once the iOS 26 beta is installed, follow these steps. Also, make sure you install this update on a spare set of AirPods, rather than your primary ones.
Step 1. Take your AirPods out of their case and connect them to your iPhone running iOS 26 beta.
Step 2. Launch the Settings app on iPhone.
Step 3. Now open Bluetooth.
Step 4. Right next to your AirPods, you’ll see a (i) button. Tap on it.
Step 5. Scroll down and find AirPods Beta Updates. Open it.
Step 6. Simply enable beta updates from here.
Once you do this, the beta update will download in the background and install on your AirPods. You can follow this tutorial on how to ‘force’ the update onto your AirPods.
It takes patience in order to download and install updates on AirPods, and so far, there’s no quick way to do it. Eventually, the update will install, just not on quick notice.
Though I don’t have to say it again, you can’t downgrade back to the publicly available firmware once you do get onboard the beta bandwagon. Keep this in mind.
