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AirPods Pro 3 just got their first firmware update

Avatar for Ryan Christoffel  | Sep 18 2025 - 11:12 am PT
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Apple has major new products arriving in users’ hands tomorrow, and it seems several of them will have new software updates ready to install at launch. Shortly after shipping a special build of iOS 26 for iPhone 17 Pro, Apple has now released a firmware update for AirPods Pro 3.

New AirPods Pro 3 firmware arrives ahead of Friday’s launch

Earlier this week alongside iOS 26’s launch, Apple debuted new AirPods firmware that includes support for seven brand new features.

That firmware build was 8A356, but now Apple has released a slightly updated version for AirPods Pro 3.

AirPods Pro 3’s new firmware build is 8A357.

It’s not expected that this new firmware will include any noticeable differences for users.

However, Apple likely discovered a bug in the previous firmware that needed addressing for its latest AirPods model.

After you get your AirPods Pro 3, if you want to install the latest firmware right away, these are Apple’s recommended steps to follow:

  1. Make sure that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is updated to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, and that Bluetooth is on.
  2. Make sure that your AirPods are connected via Bluetooth to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  3. Connect your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to Wi-Fi.
  4. Connect your charging case to power.
  5. Put your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid. Keep the lid of the charging case closed, and keep your AirPods in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  6. Wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update.
  7. Open the lid of the charging case to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  8. Check the firmware version again.

Unfortunately, Apple does not yet offer a way to manually trigger an AirPods firmware update the way you can with software updates for iPhone. But the above steps are the official, approved Apple recommendation for ensuring a firmware update installs sooner rather than later.

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Avatar for Ryan Christoffel Ryan Christoffel

Ryan got his start in journalism as an Editor at MacStories, where he worked for four years covering Apple news, writing app reviews, and more. For two years he co-hosted the Adapt podcast on Relay FM, which focused entirely on the iPad. As a result, it should come as no surprise that his favorite Apple device is the iPad Pro.