Starting early next week, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers will gain access to a new AirPods Firmware Updater diagnostic tool for updating 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 download the latest firmware on a customer’s AirPods Pro during repair appointments in certain scenarios, such as if one of the customer’s left or right AirPods Pro failed to update, the customer is using a non-iOS device, or the customer received replacement AirPods Pro with a different firmware version than the AirPod and/or charging case still in their possession.
Apple lists the tool as being compatible with AirPods Pro with a wireless charging case or a MagSafe charging case. It’s unclear if the tool will work with any other AirPods models, such as the recently released third-generation AirPods.
The tool is necessary because there is no manual way for customers to update the firmware on their AirPods. In general, AirPods connected to an iPhone or iPad should automatically update to the latest firmware after a fairly short period of time, and it may help to keep the AirPods in their charging case and connected to a power source.
As of now, the AirPods Firmware Updater will be for Apple’s internal use only, with no indication that the tool will be released to the public. Twitter account @StellaFudge was first to share information about the tool earlier today.
Apple is launching an AirPods Firmware Updater tool! After all these years of waiting its coming!
There’s a catch though.
It’s only available to Apple Technicians. It’s also only intended for people who use AirPods with non-Apple stuff, or AirPods that got mismatched firmware.
— Stella – Fudge (@StellaFudge) December 10, 2021
Related Stories
Apple Updates AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max Firmware
Apple today released a new 4C165 firmware update for the AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. The second-generation AirPods and AirPods Max were previously running firmware version 4A400. The AirPods Pro previously had 4A402 firmware available, and AirPods 3 were running firmware version 4B66. Apple does not offer information on what’s included in refreshed firmware updates…
Apple Updates AirPods Pro Firmware to Version 4A402 and AirPods 3 Firmware to 4B66
Apple today released a new 4A402 firmware update for the AirPods Pro, which is up from the prior 4A400 firmware that was released back in October. Apple has also updated the AirPods 3 firmware to 4B66, up from the 4B61 that was previously available. Apple does not offer information on what’s included in refreshed firmware updates for the AirPods, so we don’t know what improvements or bug …
Apple Updates AirPods 2, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max Firmware to Version 4A400
Apple today released new firmware updates for the second-generation AirPods, the AirPods Pro, and the AirPods Max. All three of the AirPod models are now running 4A400 firmware, up from 3E751 for the standard AirPods, 3E756 for the AirPods Max, and 3E751 for the AirPods Pro. Apple has also released new 4A394 firmware for the Beats Solo Pro, Powerbeats 4, and Powerbeats Pro. Apple does not …
Apple Updates AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 Firmware to Version 3E751
Apple today released a new 3E751 firmware update for the second-generation AirPods and the AirPods Pro, updating them from the prior 3A283 firmware that was released back in September. Apple does not offer information on what’s included in refreshed firmware, so we don’t know what improvements or bug fixes the new firmware brings. There’s no standard way to upgrade the AirPods…
New AirPods Pro Firmware Enables Conversation Boost, Here’s How to Turn It On
Apple on Tuesday released firmware version 4A400 for the second-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. On the AirPods Pro, the update enables a new Conversation Boost feature that Apple previewed at WWDC earlier this year. Apple says Conversation Boost is designed to help people with mild hearing challenges stay more connected in conversations. The feature uses the AirPods Pro’s…
Take a Unique Peek into How AirPods Have Evolved With Every Generation
New detailed CT scan images of the first-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and third-generation AirPods have revealed in detail what internal design changes Apple had to accomplish to include new features in every generation while continuing to miniaturize internal components. The first-generation AirPods, announced in 2016, serve as the main design inspiration for the AirPods Pro and…
Apple’s New AirPods Lineup Starts at $129 With AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max
Apple today updated the AirPods lineup with the AirPods 3, which feature an AirPods Pro-like design featuring shorter stems, spatial audio support, Adaptive EQ, longer battery life, HD voice quality for FaceTime, IPX4 water resistance, a MagSafe case, and more. The new AirPods are priced starting at $179, which is $20 cheaper than the prior AirPods 2 with Wireless Charging Case, and Apple is …
Video Comparison: AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro
Apple’s long-awaited third-generation AirPods launched yesterday alongside new MacBook Pro models, and we picked up a pair to compare them to the AirPods Pro. If you’re wondering whether you should choose the AirPods Pro or the AirPods 3 when buying AirPods for the first time or upgrading, this comparison video should help. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. There are …
Popular Stories
iPhone 14 Pro Models to Feature Hole-Punch Display
The high-end iPhone 14 Pro models launching in 2022 are expected to have a hole-punch display, according to Korean website The Elec. The 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max are expected to feature the upgraded display, which will do away with the notch used in the current iPhone models. The hole-punch cutout will allow Apple to provide a larger display area while still…
Apple Updates AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max Firmware
Apple today released a new 4C165 firmware update for the AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. The second-generation AirPods and AirPods Max were previously running firmware version 4A400. The AirPods Pro previously had 4A402 firmware available, and AirPods 3 were running firmware version 4B66. Apple does not offer information on what’s included in refreshed firmware updates…
Apple CEO Tim Cook ‘Secretly’ Signed $275 Billion Deal With China in 2016
Apple CEO Tim Cook “secretly” signed an agreement worth more than $275 billion with Chinese officials, promising that Apple would help to develop China’s economy and technological capabilities, The Information reports. In an extensive paywalled report based on interviews and purported internal Apple documents, The Information revealed that Tim Cook personally forged a five-year agreement…
iOS 15.2 Adds ‘Parts and Service History’ Feature to iPhone
With the launch of iOS 15.2, Apple is adding a new “Parts and Service History” section to the Settings app that will let users see the service history of their iPhones and confirm that components used for repairs are genuine. As outlined in a new support document, iPhone users who have iOS 15.2 or later installed can go to Settings > General > About to access Parts and Service History. The…
Apple Releases New MagSafe Charger Firmware [Updated]
Apple today released updated firmware for the MagSafe Charger that’s compatible with iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models that have magnets inside. The new firmware is version 10M229, up from 9M5069. Note that in the Settings app, you’ll see a version number rather than the firmware number. The new version is 247.0.0.0, and the old one was 174.0.0.0. The MagSafe Charger initially came out in fall…
Kuo: AirPods Pro 2 With New Design and Improved Chip to Launch in Late 2022
The AirPods Pro 2, the first update to the AirPods Pro since they debuted in 2019, will launch in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to Apple analyst Ming Chi-Kuo. In a note obtained today by MacRumors, Kuo said that the second generation AirPods Pro will launch in the last quarter of 2022. Prior reports have indicated that the AirPods are going to launch next year, but excluding one…
Apple Giving Customers a Second Chance to Buy AppleCare+ After Their iPhone or Mac is Repaired
Apple is now providing customers who have faced a costly out-of-pocket repair for an iPhone or Mac with a second chance to purchase AppleCare+ coverage for the device, although there are some strings attached to the policy. In an internal memo this week, obtained by MacRumors, Apple said customers who had an iPhone or Mac repaired at an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider are…
Report: iOS Users Who Opt-Out of App Tracking Continue to Be Tracked by Facebook and Snapchat
“Loose” interpretations of Apple’s privacy policies allow apps such as Facebook and Snapchat to continue tracking users for targeted advertising even when they have asked to not be tracked, The Financial Times reports. In May, Apple launched its App Tracking Transparency feature that allows users to opt-out of being tracked across apps and websites for advertising purposes. Seven months…
macOS 12.1 Fixes Menu Bar Icons Obscured by Notch on 2021 MacBook Pros
Apple on Tuesday seeded the macOS Monterey 12.1 Release Candidate to developers for testing, and according to the release notes, the update resolves an issue with the notch obscuring “menu bar extras” on the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. ”Menu bar extras” are the tiny icons that appear on the right side of the menu bar, providing users with convenient access to app-specific controls….
