AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 Get iOS 26 Features With New Firmware Update

Apple today released updated firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4, introducing support for the new AirPods features that are included in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe.

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature
The firmware has a build number of 8A356, and it replaces the current 7E93 firmware.

With Apple's new software updates, the AirPods Pro 2 and the ‌AirPods 4‌ support better audio quality for phone calls and video calls, and studio-quality audio recording for interviews, podcasts, videos, and more.

There is an option to use the AirPods as a camera remote with the Camera app to take photos or start a video recording, and you can now get the AirPods to pause audio if you fall asleep while listening. A Keep Audio in Headphones feature ensures that your music won't switch to your car when you get in, and you can now get charging reminders when your AirPods battery is low. On the ‌AirPods 4‌ with ANC and the AirPods Pro 2, Live Translation is supported.

All of these features will also be available with the new AirPods Pro 3 that are releasing on Friday, September 19.

To install the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. From there, put your AirPods in the Charging Case and connect the Charging Case to power. Keep the case closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware update to install.

Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 Brings AirPods-Like Pairing to Third-Party Devices in EU Under DMA

Monday December 22, 2025 3:20 pm PST by
The European Commission today praised the interoperability changes that Apple is introducing in iOS 26.3, once again crediting the Digital Markets Act (DMA) with bringing "new opportunities" to European users and developers. The Digital Markets Act requires Apple to provide third-party accessories with the same capabilities and access to device features that Apple's own products get. In iOS...
iphone fold 3d print

Have a 3D Printer? You Can Make Your Own iPhone Fold Dummy

Tuesday December 23, 2025 1:31 pm PST by
Apple is working on a foldable iPhone that's set to come out in September 2026, and rumors suggest that it will have a display that's around 5.4 inches when closed and 7.6 inches when open. Exact measurements vary based on rumors, but one 3D designer has created a mockup based on what we've heard so far. On MakerWorld, a user named Subsy has uploaded a 1:1 iPhone Fold replica (via Macworld), ...
iPhone SE Cosmopolitan Clean

Apple Discontinued These 25 Products This Year

Wednesday December 24, 2025 7:24 am PST by
With the end of 2025 near, the time has come to look back at the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Most of the products that were discontinued this year were simply replaced by a new model with an updated chip. However, the iPhone SE line was entirely discontinued when the iPhone 16e launched, and the iPhone Plus line is being phased out. Below, we have...

Top Rated Comments

decypher44 Avatar
15 weeks ago
I really wish they’d finally allow a direct request for updated firmware instead of “plug it in and wait”.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BJMRamage Avatar
15 weeks ago
I understand there can be Automatic (AutoMagic) updates but there really should be an Option to "Update Now"
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vercordio Avatar
15 weeks ago
How very un-Apple to roll out headline features to older models. Nice one!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
istgradfrompsu Avatar
15 weeks ago
You have to download the language(s) to translate from as well as the language(s) to translate to. I am trying it on a french video on YouTube translating to english (US) and it is working.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
masterofthedarkarts Avatar
15 weeks ago
I plugged my AirPods 4 ANC into my iPad via USB-C (case with pods in) and it just straight updated in a matter of minutes. Not sure if I’ve ever thought about doing that, but tried it. Updated.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Timpani Avatar
15 weeks ago

Will the firmware updates not make my audio sound like trash when connecting to my Windows computer for work Teams meetings? Never an issue with connecting to my iPhone/iPad/MacBook/Apple Watch. Just always lousy when connected to a Windows machine (prob intentional).
The issue here, in Windows 10 & 11, is that after connecting the AP2 (and probably AP3 also) to your laptop is that Teams and other programs default to using the ‘Headset’ Bluetooth profile for microphone and speakers. You can see this in Teams device setting. This codec is ancient and really mangled the sound.

What succeeded as a workaround for me was to go into Teams and set my laptop’s microphone as the main mic. And then set the AP2 ‘headphone’ profile as the speakers. Now both my voice and others sound good.

Basically, avoid the ‘headset’ Bluetooth profile.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)