Apple Releases Updated Firmware for First-Generation AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Releases Updated Firmware for First-Generation AirPods Pro and AirPods 2

Apple today introduced a new firmware update for the first-generation AirPods Pro and second-generation AirPods. The new firmware is the same 6A321 version that was released for the third-generation AirPods last week and is up from the 6A300 firmware introduced last September.

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature
Apple's AirPods firmware updates often do not come with details on new features, so it is unclear what might be included in the software. For last week's AirPods 3 update with this firmware version, Apple listed only "bug fixes and other improvements."

Apple also does not offer instructions on how to upgrade AirPods software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air while the ‌‌AirPods‌‌ are connected to an iOS device. Putting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ in the case, connecting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to a power source, and then pairing the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to an iOS device or Mac should force the update.

You can check your AirPods or ‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ firmware version by following these steps:

  • Connect your ‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods to your iOS device.
  • Open the Settings app.
  • Tap General.
  • Tap About.
  • Tap ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.
  • Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."

If we learn more about what's new in the AirPods firmware release, we'll update this article.

Update 1:50 pm: This article has been updated to note the 6A321 update has also been released for the second-generation AirPods.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

Apple Card iPhone 16 Pro Feature

Apple Card Promo to Offer Free AirPods Pro 3

Friday May 15, 2026 8:59 am PDT by
Starting as early as next week, customers who sign up for an Apple Card at Apple's retail stores in the U.S. will receive $249 cash back when they purchase AirPods Pro 3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The promotion has yet to be officially announced by Apple, so exact terms and conditions are not available at this time. AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249 in the U.S., so customers who...
airpods pro 3 pink

New Apple Card Holders Can Get Free AirPods Pro 3, But There's a Catch

Monday May 18, 2026 8:11 am PDT by
Apple today launched a new promotion offering new Apple Card holders the chance to earn back the cost of AirPods Pro 3 through monthly cash rebates, but there is a recurring spend requirement attached. Customers who open a new Apple Card account and purchase AirPods Pro 3 directly from Apple by June 15 will qualify. Starting July 1 and running through April 30, 2027, cardholders can earn $25 ...
Apple Card Sign Up Promo Offers Free AirPods Pro 3 Feature

Apple Card Sign-Up Promo Offers Free AirPods Pro 3

Friday May 22, 2026 7:33 am PDT by
For a limited time, you can effectively receive AirPods Pro 3 for free when you sign up for a new Apple Card, but there are some strings attached. If you sign up for and are approved for an Apple Card for the first time, and use it to purchase AirPods Pro 3 by June 15, you can earn up to $250 in bonus cash back over a 10-month period if you meet minimum transaction requirements....

Top Rated Comments

BJMRamage Avatar
31 months ago
Sure would be nice to have a button to UPDATE rather than a few random attempts to open close get close…
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Corrode Avatar
31 months ago
I would love it if my AirPods Pro Gen 1 stopped draining their battery during periods of inactivity, despite being in their case.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
31 months ago
would be nice if there would be a setting for only charging the case and the airpods to 80%. I only use my airpods 1-2 times a week and they stay 100% all the time slowly hurting the lithium ion batteries over time... the optimized charging algorithm doesn't work for me because I don't use them daily.

The iPhone 15 has a 80% charging limit now. Don't understand why not all iOS17 compatible devices are getting this feature... I am slowly losing faith in Apple...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
31 months ago
The latest firmware update re enables audio for your AirPods Pro. We are so excited to find out what you do with your AirPods Pro.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hellsurfer Avatar
31 months ago

Airpods Pro 3 incoming
AirPods Pro 1 -> AirPods Pro 3 via Software Update
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
soundsgoodtome Avatar
31 months ago
The instructions mentioned in this article for determining the current firmware number don't work on my iPhone 14 Pro Max running iOS 17.

The article states:

* Open the Settings app.
* Tap General.
* Tap About.
* Tap ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.
* Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."

However on my iPhone, it's:

• Open Settings.
• Tap the AirPods Pro button.
• Scroll down to see the firmware version.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)