Have you ever felt like your AirPods just aren‘t working quite right lately? Cutting out at weird times? Acting glitchy and unresponsive? I‘ve been there myself!
Chances are your AirPods firmware has become outdated, causing all types of issues. Don‘t worry – updating the firmware will have them back at peak performance in no time.
This definitive guide to AirPods firmware cuts through the confusion, gets right to the point, and everything you need to know to keep your AirPods running smoothly.
Why Understanding Firmware Is So Important for Your AirPods
First, what is firmware? And why does it matter so much for AirPods functionality?
Firmware is low-level software programmed directly onto computer chips inside each AirPod to control every aspect of their operation.
Here are just some of the responsibilities managed by those tiny firmware computers:
✅ Battery charging
✅ Bluetooth connectivity
✅ Audio routing between AirPods
✅ Touch controls
✅ Sound output quality
✅ Active Noise Cancellation
✅ Sensor data processing
Unlike apps or operating systems we actively interface with, firmware runs silently in the background to drive all this core functionality.
Over time, bugs and performance limitations in firmware versions can cause major headaches:
❌ Disconnection dropouts
❌ Unstable touch controls
❌ Audio sync issues between left/right AirPod
❌ Battery draining too fast
❌ Difficulty charging case & AirPods
And that “magical” AirPods experience slowly turns into a glitchy, unreliable mess…
Until you update the firmware.
Fresh firmware installs squish existing bugs, improves stability, and might even add handy new features.
The Key Firmware Update Requirements
Okay, so now that you know why firmware rules all things AirPods, how do updates actually happen?
Even with Apple’s luxury price point, AirPods lack any traditional software update mechanism you‘d find on an iPhone, iPad or Mac.
No WiFi or Cellular Connectivity
AirPods rely on Bluetooth connectivity to a paired iPhone or other Apple device for all data transfer activities.
Why no WiFi onboard? Primarily to maximize precious battery life when not sitting in their charging case.
No Firmware Update Downloads
Therefore, new AirPods firmware must transmit wirelessly from a companion iPhone or iPad already containing the update package.
Apple releases new firmware revisions the same way as iOS or iPad OS updates for your phone/tablet first. Your AirPods pull that pre-staged update data over Bluetooth when available.
No User Firmware Installation
Finally, AirPods lack any direct way for you to manually install firmware yourself from files downloaded onto your Mac for example.
The complete process runs automatically in the background with no visibility into update progress percentages.
You simply need to initiate the high-level conditions and Apple‘s magic (hopefully) takes care of the rest automatically in the coming hours.
Now let‘s walk through exactly what‘s required on your end to keep AirPods firmware happily updating…
The AirPods Firmware Update Process Demystified
Based on what we just covered about the limitations, here’s what the actual firmware update workflow looks like:
Here are the core requirements for any AirPods firmware update attempt:
💡 Your iPhone or iPad must already have the latest iOS/iPadOS system update installed containing the refreshed AirPods firmware package – check Settings > General > Software Update to confirm.
💡 Your AirPods must have at least a 30% battery charge before starting the update process – check by opening the case near your iOS device.
💡 The update data transmits from your iPhone to the AirPods via Bluetooth, so keep them nearby each other.
The hardest part is just remembering to check your Settings for iOS updates so your iPhone or iPad has the latest firmware available for transport when your AirPods are ready!
Okay, let‘s walk through what this looks like from a day-to-day usage perspective…
Typical Automatic Firmware Update Process
Conveniently, Apple has optimized the firmware update process to happen quietly in the background when you fully charge your AirPods case.
As long as your iPhone receives fresh iOS updates regularly, the next time you charge your AirPod case, new firmware will automatically install.
Here’s how a typical automatic firmware update rollout works:
✅ Apple releases iOS/iPad OS update containing new AirPods firmware
Get notified on your iPhone, download & install as usual
✅ Place AirPods in case and charge near iPhone
For example, overnight on your nightstand
✅ Firmware automatically transfers to AirPods case & AirPods
Happens silently over Bluetooth in the background 😴
✅ Enjoy new firmware next time you use AirPods!
Hopefully squashing bugs or adding features!
Pretty straightforward right? Now for the key step-by-step details on monitoring your firmware version and guiding manual updates…
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Update AirPods Firmware
Let’s walk through the hands-on details covering how to keep tabs on your firmware, and manually update when needed.
Check Your AirPods Current Firmware Version
First things first – how to actually check what firmware has made its way to your AirPods?
Pop your AirPods into their charging case, open it nearby your iPhone, then:
- Open the Settings app and navigate to General > About
- Scroll down and select your AirPods device name
- You‘ll now see the firmware version – make a note of it!
You can also view the firmware from Bluetooth settings rather than General > About.
Now that you know your starting firmware version, time to update it…
How to Manually Update AirPods Firmware
If automatic updates don‘t seem to be happening reliably for you, follow this process to manually trigger and monitor a new firmware install:
- Check firmware version to confirm update needed
- Ensure ≥30% battery on AirPods & charging case
- With AirPods in open case, connect charger ≥1 hr
- Monitor firmware version to confirm update success!
And remember – your iPhone/iPad itself must already have received the latest iOS update containing said AirPods firmware prior to expecting it wireless push/install to your actual AirPods!
<!-- -->Troubleshooting Firmware Update Issues
Of course with such an opaque, wireless firmware update process on the AirPods side, sometimes updates don‘t install cleanly.
If you experience any of the following, try the recommended troubleshooting step:
| Firmware Update Issue | Troubleshooting Tips |
|---|---|
| Update not starting | Use AirPods 5+ minutes then retry update |
| Stuck at older version | Full reset – hold 15+ seconds with amber light |
| Case won‘t charge | Clean case charging contacts |
| Poor iPhone Bluetooth connection | Toggle Bluetooth off/on to reset |
| Low iOS battery | Charge iPhone above 50% then reattempt |
In many cases, completing a full AirPods reset before trying your firmware update again does the trick:
This essentially reboots the whole firmware environment, overcoming gremlins that may be blocking successful updates.
Still no luck? Additional advanced troubleshooting assistance is available directly from Apple Support.
Remembering Some Key Firmware Update Facts
To wrap up this master guide to understanding and managing your AirPods firmware updates, let‘s review some of the key facts:
✅ Updates fix bugs, improve stability, and deliver new features
✅ Firmware updates wirelessly transmit from paired iPhone/iPad to AirPods via Bluetooth
✅ Install process runs fully automatic in background – little visibility into progress
✅ Keep iOS device charged and routinely check for latest iOS updates containing new AirPods firmware
✅ AirPods case should have ≥30% battery before manually retrying firmware update attempts
✅ Full reset is last resort to clear update glitches if process stalls at older version
Hopefully this take the mystery out of ensuring your have the absolute latest firmware updates beaming into the brain of your AirPods for the very best performance and battery life possible!
Have additional questions? Drop them below in the comments!
