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Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Max 2

Just ahead of the launch of the AirPods Max 2, Apple has released new firmware for the headphones. The updated firmware is version number 8E251.

AirPods Max 2 Design
The ‌AirPods Max 2‌ include the H2 chip, an upgrade over the H1. The H2 brings several new features like Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Loud Sound Reduction, Voice Isolation, and more. The new firmware likely optimizes some of these new features.

Customers who buy the ‌AirPods Max 2‌ can follow Apple's steps to get the new firmware.

To get the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and are connected via Bluetooth. From there, connect the Apple device to Wi-Fi, then connect the AirPods Max to power with a USB-C cable. Keep the AirPods Max in Bluetooth range of the Apple device, and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update.

From there, reconnect the AirPods to the Apple device, and check the firmware version to see if it's updated. Apple says if the firmware doesn't install, to restart the AirPods Max and try again.

Related Roundup: AirPods Max 2
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

16 weeks ago
It’s insane that we’re this far into AirPods and doing a firmware update requires magical incantations and incense.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
16 weeks ago

Plugging it in and waiting a bit is a magical incantation? TIL.
You plug it in and hope it will perform the firmware update at some point over the next 30 minutes, and if it doesn't, you restart it and hope that it does it the next time.

I'm glad you're OK with this insanity, but personally I feel like a firmware update should be applied when I ask for it to be applied, instead of waiting around a random amount of time after connecting things in a certain order and giving the sign of the cross.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
16 weeks ago

Plugging it in and waiting a bit is a magical incantation? TIL.
Considering before this, firmware updates were completely random and no instructions from Apple how it worked, it’s a step in the right direction.

But don't you think it would be easier to just have an “update firmware” button when the AirPods are connected to the device would be a lot easier?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
midkay Avatar
16 weeks ago

It’s insane that we’re this far into AirPods and doing a firmware update requires magical incantations and incense.
Plugging it in and waiting a bit is a magical incantation? TIL.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
uczcret Avatar
16 weeks ago

Plugging it in and waiting a bit is a magical incantation? TIL.
I guess it feels like it when you have to have to the firmware update the moment the MR article goes up. 🙃
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 weeks ago
I'm on the last firmware. Conversation Awareness does not work at all.
Three hard reset and no change.
Appointment at the Apple Store later today.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)