Apple Releases Firmware Updates for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Monday November 11, 2024 11:28 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple today released firmware updates for both AirPods 4 models (version number 7B20) and the AirPods Pro 2 with both Lightning and USB-C charging cases (version number 7B21). All of these AirPods models were previously on firmware version 7B19.

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature
It is not immediately clear what new features or changes are included in firmware versions 7B20 and 7B21, but we will update this story if we find out.

Last month's firmware version 7B19 enabled new hearing aid, hearing test, and hearing protection features on AirPods Pro 2 when paired with an iPhone or iPad running iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 or later. Availability of these features varies by country. Apple's release notes never indicated what that firmware version added to the AirPods 4.

There is no way to manually force the installation of a firmware update on AirPods. Firmware updates are generally installed over-the-air when the AirPods are in a charging case and connected to an iOS device or a Mac.

Update: Apple says firmware versions 7B20 and 7B21 include "bug fixes and other improvements." No further details were provided.

Related Roundups: AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 3

Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now), AirPods Pro (Neutral)

Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

pcaleb

26 months ago

The usual Apple AirPods mystery: "We've released a new firmware update, but we're not going to tell you what it does or how to install it."

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

CarlJ

26 months ago

99% of the users do not even know, there are updates. They just happen miraculously - kind of a perfect mechanism.

All we want is a button in the AirPods section in Settings (the bit that appears when they're connected), that says, "Check for updates now", rather than waiting for the barometric pressure to be a prime number or whatever mysterious test they currently do before updating. That's all, just a "try it now" button.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

axantas

26 months ago

The usual Apple AirPods mystery: "We've released a new firmware update, but we're not going to tell you what it does or how to install it."

99% of the users do not even know, there are updates. They just happen miraculously - kind of a perfect mechanism.

Ever done an update of Sony Ear-/Headphones? Be happy to be with Apple. Sony is a tedious process in their strange app. If you don't have the app = no updates at all.

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

turbineseaplane

26 months ago

I'm fine with quiet updates, but I'd also like a button in settings to force the update if I'd prefer

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Shirasaki

26 months ago

Meanwhile I am having a bigger problem of my AirPods Pro 2 refusing to connect to my iPhone even after a full reset, bit connects to my Mac and iPad perfectly fine, two devices that for some reason CANNOT update AirPods firmware. Like, seriously? Is there some sort of prophecy in play that updating AirPods firmware on devices other than iPhone is a sin? A curse? A blasphemy?

I hope my AirPods Pro 2 won't unpair randomly anymore. I had to reset them and then pair again each time (once a few days).

Yeah, exactly because of this issue, I resorted to disable its auto switch function altogether. It didn’t work well at figuring out which device I was actively using anyways.

All we want is a button in the AirPods section in Settings (the bit that appears when they're connected), that says, "Check for updates now", rather than waiting for the barometric pressure to be a prime number or whatever mysterious test they currently do before updating. That's all, just a "try it now" button.

Yeah why resort to let customer wait unspecified amount of time for the “magic” to happen when a simple “try now” might make the whole situation better.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

saulinpa

26 months ago

Someone can share the case version? Thank you!

47.08 under USB
Case Version: 71.8.0 under Bluetooth

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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Apple Releases Firmware Updates for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

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