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New AirPods Pro 3 firmware just arrived, plus more

Avatar for Ryan Christoffel  | Dec 11 2025 - 11:26 am PT
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Apple has just released brand new firmware updates for AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2. Here are the details.

Latest AirPods firmware launches ahead of iOS 26.2

iOS 26.2

With iOS 26.2 expected to launch any day now, Apple has just shipped new AirPods firmware.

Though Apple often releases the same firmware across multiple AirPods models, today it has debuted unique builds for separate hardware.

AirPods Pro 3’s new firmware is build 8B30, up from the previous 8B25 release.

AirPods Pro 2 were also updated, with the latest firmware being 8B28, up from 8B21.

Soon the company will update its AirPods firmware webpage to mention specific improvements or changes in these new releases. For now though, only the previous firmware builds are listed.

Most of the time, new firmware comes with boilerplate “Bug fixes and other improvements” release notes.

However, since these builds have arrived so close to iOS 26.2’s launch, it’s possible we’ll see some additional improvements mentioned this time around. So far, iOS 26.2 is confirmed to expand AirPods Live Translation to the EU.

How to install the new AirPods Pro firmware update

Unlike standard software updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and more, the process for updating AirPods firmware isn’t so straightforward.

Here are the instructions directly from Apple:

  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.

Have you installed the latest AirPods firmware, and if so, have you noticed any changes? Let us know in the comments.

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Author

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.