After releasing the first beta versions of iOS 16 and macOS 13, Apple has now released a new AirPods beta firmware to developers. This is the second time Apple has released beta software for AirPods.
See also: iOS 16: Apple announced all the new features
Apple has provided instructions for installing the new firmware via Developer Portal . The process is simple. All developers need to do is connect their AirPods to their iPhone and then use Xcode 14 beta on a Mac to enable the “Pre-Release Beta Firmware” option under the “AirPods Testing” section.
According to the instructions, it may take up to 24 hours for AirPods to update after enabling this option in Xcode. To install the beta firmware on AirPods, the iPhone, iPad, or Mac they are paired with must be running iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or macOS 13.
See also: Apple introduces Rapid Security Response for iOS and macOS
It's also worth noting that the beta firmware is only available for the second-generation AirPods, third-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. The first-generation AirPods haven't received the update, at least for now. Furthermore, no details have been announced about what new features this update brings. What is known is that it includes "improvements to Automatic Switching" and some bug.
Last year, Apple released a beta firmware for AirPods that enabled Spatial Audio for FaceTime and Ambient Noise Reduction for users running iOS 15 beta.
See also: 3-in-1 wireless charger saves you time and space
One thing to keep in mind is that once you upgrade the firmware, you can't go back to a previous version. Once installed on your AirPods, beta software cannot be removed. The device will continue to run this software until a non-beta software update is released. During this time, any additional beta software updates will be downloaded automatically.
iOS 16 is currently available as beta software for developers via the Apple Developer. A public beta version will be released next month, with an official release expected this fall.
Source: 9to5mac.com
