After the WWDC 2022 keynote this week, Apple released new beta firmware for several AirPods models, including second-generation AirPods, third-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Apple says the beta firmware includes auto-switching improvements and various bug and stability fixes. The new beta firmware has version number 5.0 and build number 5A5282d, up from 4.4 and 4E71.


Apple says the AirPods beta firmware enables the development of AirPods-related features on iOS and macOS and allows Apple to debug issues. Apple didn’t provide any additional details on specific auto-switching improvements in the latest beta.

Members of the Apple Developer Program can access beta firmware on the More Downloads Page from the Apple Developer website, with installation instructions. Beta firmware does not appear to be available for first generation AirPods.

To install beta firmware, Apple says developers need an iPhone running iOS 16 beta, a Mac running macOS Ventura beta, Xcode 14 beta, and supported AirPods. Developers need to pair the AirPods with an iPhone, connect the iPhone to a Mac with a Lightning cable, launch Xcode 14 beta on the Mac, go to Settings → Developer, and choose Pre-Release Beta Firmware from the AirPods Testing section.

Apple says it can take up to 24 hours to receive and install beta firmware on AirPods. Once installed, Apple says the beta firmware will continue to work on AirPods until an updated version of the non-beta software is released. Any additional beta software updates will be automatically received in the meantime.

(Thanks, Robert Bentley!)

Related stories

Apple releases new firmware 4E71 for AirPods, AirPods Max and AirPods Pro

Apple today released a new firmware update 4E71 for the AirPods 2, AirPods Max, and AirPods Pro, starting with firmware 4C165 released in December. Apple also released new firmware 4E71 for the AirPods 3, up from firmware 4C170 released in January. Apple doesn’t offer information on what’s included in current firmware updates for AirPods‌, so we don’t…

AirPods Pro beta firmware is now available

Upcoming AirPods Pro firmware updates are now available to members of the Apple Developer Program as beta versions. AirPods Pro firmware beta 1 includes FaceTime Spatial Audio and Ambient Noise Reduction. Custom Transparency mode, including Conversation Boost, was originally meant to be included in the beta, but appears to have been delayed for a later release. Apple announced…

Apple updates AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max firmware

Apple today released new firmware update 4C165 for AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. The second-generation AirPods and AirPods Max previously ran firmware version 4A400. The AirPods Pro previously had firmware 4A402 and the AirPods 3 ran firmware version 4B66. Apple does not offer information on what is included in current firmware updates…

Apple Stores can now update firmware on second-generation AirPods

In late 2021, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers gained access to a new “AirPods Firmware Updater” diagnostic tool to update a customer’s AirPods Pro to the latest firmware version if needed. In an internal memo obtained today by MacRumors, Apple announced that the tool is now able to update firmware on second-generation AirPods as well. Both AirPods…

Apple updates AirPods 3 firmware to version 4C170

Apple today released a new firmware update 4C170 for the AirPods 3, an update to the previous 4C165 which was made available in December. Apple doesn’t offer details on what’s included in new firmware updates for the AirPods‌, so we don’t know what improvements or bug fixes the new firmware brings. There is no standard way to upgrade the ‌AirPods‌‌ software, but the firmware is…

Apple updates AirPods Pro firmware to version 4A402 and AirPods 3 firmware to 4B66

Apple today released a new firmware update 4A402 for the AirPods Pro, which is up from the previous firmware 4A400 released in October. Apple also updated the AirPods 3 firmware to 4B66, up from the 4B61 that was previously available. Apple doesn’t offer information on what’s included in current firmware updates for AirPods‌, so we don’t know what improvements or bugs…

Apple updates AirPods 2, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max firmware to version 4A400

Apple today released new firmware updates for second-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. All three AirPod models now run firmware 4A400, compared to 3E751 for the standard AirPods, 3E756 for the AirPods Max, and 3E751 for the AirPods Pro. Apple has also released new firmware 4A394 for the Beats Solo Pro, Powerbeats 4, and Powerbeats Pro. Apple does not…

Tool for getting Apple Stores to update AirPods Pro to the latest firmware

Starting early next week, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers will have access to a new AirPods Firmware Update Diagnostic Tool to update AirPods Pro to the latest firmware, according to an internal memo. obtained by MacRumors. The tool will allow technicians with access to Apple Service Toolkit 2 to upload the latest firmware to a customer’s AirPods Pro during repair…

popular stories

Live coverage of the Apple WWDC 2022 event: iOS 16, macOS 13, MacBook Air, and more.

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) begins today with the traditional keynote at 10:00 a.m. PT. We expect to see a number of announcements, including iOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16, though we don’t know what else we’ll see at the event. A redesigned MacBook Air tops the list of potential new hardware, but supply chain issues…

Everything Apple announced at Keynote WWDC 2022 in 13 minutes

Apple held a keynote event on Monday which saw the introduction of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13 Ventura, watchOS 9 and the new Apple M2 silicon chip, which will soon be available in the MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook. Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. It was a crazy event where Apple introduced feature after feature for nearly two hours straight. For those who…

Apple announces iOS 16: first look at new features

Apple today introduced iOS 16, the company’s next major update for the iPhone, featuring a redesigned and customizable Lock screen, improvements to Messages, Maps and Home, new sharing capabilities and customization, and more. Lock screen, notifications and focus An all-new, fully customizable lock screen allows users to change a host of design elements, including text styles and…

Apple announces redesigned MacBook Air with M2 chip, Notch, MagSafe, new colors, and more

Apple today announced at WWDC 2022 the next-generation MacBook Air with the all-new M2 chip, a redesigned unibody case, a brighter display with a notch, new color options like Starlight and Midnight, MagSafe charging, a 1080p camera, and more. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new MacBook Air looks like the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro…

What’s New in tvOS 16 for Apple TV: Features and Improvements

While Apple TV was an afterthought during the WWDC 2022 keynote, there is indeed a new tvOS 16 update for all Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models, with the first version beta released yesterday for developers. Below, we’ve rounded up several new features and improvements coming in the software update. An overview of new features in tvOS 16 for Apple TV:Multi-device connectivity: Apple…

Apple announces multi-screen CarPlay with integrated speedometer, climate controls and more

Apple today announced at WWDC 2022 the “next generation” of CarPlay, which will support multiple screens in a vehicle, offer integrated climate controls to adjust the air conditioning temperature or heat in the CarPlay interface, and more. The next-generation CarPlay experience will be able to deliver content across multiple screens within a vehicle, and deeper integration with a…

Hands-on with the new iOS 16 lock screen

iOS 16 introduces some major changes, including a total redesign of the iOS lock screen. The lock screen looks different, it’s more customizable, and it can do more than ever before, so we thought we’d do a quick hands-on video to give MacRumors readers a first look at the revamped lock screen. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The lock screen can be customized…