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Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Beta Firmware With Support for iOS 18 Features

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Apple today released a second beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, including both the Lightning and USB-C versions. The updated firmware has a build number 7A5244b and it is available to developers at the current time. This is the second firmware update that Apple has released since announcing new AirPods Pro 2 features in June.

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware
There are several new features that are coming to the AirPods Pro 2 as part of iOS 18, and these features are included in the firmware update.

With head gestures, users can control Siri on the AirPods Pro with a shake or a nod of the head. If you get a phone call, for example, you can shake your head no if you don't want to answer it, or nod to accept the call. ‌Siri‌ interactions can be used for responding to incoming messages, calls, and notifications.

Apple is adding Voice Isolation to the AirPods Pro to cut down on loud background sounds to make you easier to hear, and there is a new Personalized Spatial Audio feature specific to gaming. Game developers will be able to incorporate spatial audio into their games for a more immersive audio experience.

The new firmware requires a device running iOS 18 to install, and it won't be available to the public until this fall.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)
Related Forums: AirPods, iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

L
Lounge vibes 05
29 months ago

Focus mode disabled. Developer mode still not present.
To get developer mode to appear, you have to plug your iPhone into a Mac running the latest beta version of Xcode.
You don’t have to do anything from there, you just have to plug it in and make sure that it’s trusted.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dmccombs Avatar
dmccombs
29 months ago

Settings->Privacy->Developer Mode
I don't have that setting, but thanks for the replies. I did a bit of google search and it looks like some users (like me), don't have that setting, and so some of us have to install xcode to enable developer mode.

https://beebom.com/how-enable-developer-mode-iphone/
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
applefanboysince93
29 months ago
Typo in the build number? Mine is at 7A244b
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jbachandouris Avatar
jbachandouris
29 months ago


[LIST=1]
* Control Center | Disable Focus mode, if selected
* Settings | Privacy & Security | Developer Mode -> On
* Select Restart when prompted
* Swipe Up and select Enable
* Settings | Developer | Pre-Release Beta Firmware | Your AirPods Pro -> On
* Pray that AirPods will eventually update

Focus mode disabled. Developer mode still not present.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H
hohohonkey
29 months ago

No, the AirPods don't have that.
Everyone confuses the "Voice Isolation" that Apple added on a previous OS Update (don't recall whether that was iOS 16/17), but that feature works with most wired or wireless headphones connected.

This new option is for the AirPods Pro themselves. You can check the AirPods Pro 2 specs and you'll see "Voice Isolation" is nowhere to be found.
Can I ask what you make of this then? This was taken just now in a facetime call on iOS 17.5.1, with AirPods Pro 2 selected as the audio device. No betas enabled.

Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
zorinlynx
29 months ago

It would be great if they added a better way to adjust the volume than swiping up/down. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't - and that's if you're not elderly or disabled.

And if you connect them to an Apple TV, you have to use the remote to go to the settings to adjust the volume.

Or will you be able to map the Siri commands to that?
Honestly what better way would there be to adjust volume? Squeezing morse code patterns into the stem? I can't think of any better way to adjust the volume than the current way of swiping. Are you holding the stem between your fingers when you swipe? Trying to swipe without a finger on the other side doesn't work very well.

And screw siri commands for adjusting volume. I don't want to have to talk out loud to adjust volume, especially in public.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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