- The public beta version for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 are available now
- The usual beta warnings apply: use at your own risk
- Requires iOS 26, iPados 26 or MacOS 26
Last week, Apple opened the public beta program for all its latest operating systems, allowing you to try the next generation software that will be officially launched later this year.
And there is also a beta version for the next generation of AirPods software. This is unusual, because Apple does not normally emit AirPods Betas, but it is available from the same place as other beta on beta.apple.com via public beta iOS 26, iPados 26 and macOS 26. We have a guide on how to install the beta iOS 26 version here, if your device to try it.
Should Are you trying it? Yes, and also no.
Let’s start with the mandatory beta warning.
The installation of beta software can cause unexpected problems, give you a bad day of hair and alarm your pets
Beta software is unfinished software, which means that Apple takes absolutely no responsibility for anything that could go wrong. This can do strange things with some of your applications, it can have small or massive bugs, and as far as I know, there is no way to reduce the update of the airpods firmware if you find that it aggravates the experience of your airpods; You will only have to wait until Apple repairs all fixed needs.
There is also the fact that to obtain the update of AirPods, you must install the beta version of iOS 26 / iPados 26 / MacOS 26, which has wider implications: it is strongly recommended not to install beta on a device on which you depend on daily. If a beta version makes your device that does not fully respond, can you live without it?
So with that said …
What is in the new beta version of the AirPods and which AirPods can install it?
The beta version is only available for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC, probably because all the features that require beta tests need the H2 chip that these models have.
There are five key updates here:
- Sleep detection which can automatically interrupt the audio when you nod
- Voice recording “Studio quality”
- Camera’s shutter control and video start -up recording
- Smarter automatic switching with carplay
- Improving the quality of the voice in calls
If necessary, you will get new options in the parameters to control some of these features, for example to activate or deactivate sleep detection or to configure the shutter control of the camera.
How to install the AirPods beta update
First of all, you will have to install iOS 26, iPados 26 or MacOS 26 BETA PUBLIE DE BETA.Apple.com. Once you’ve done this, open your AirPods case and let them do the usual connection. If you then access the AirPods page in the settings, you should see a message under the image of the AirPods indicating that the beta software updates are available.
If you jump this time, the option will go to a beta update link further in the AirPod settings.
From there, it’s just a rocking: press the AirPods Beta button updates so that it becomes green and the update will be installed provided that your AirPods are always nearby and connected.