For the first time ever, Apple is letting everyday users try out upcoming AirPods firmware before its official release. As part of the iOS 26 rollout, the company has launched a public beta for AirPods firmware, giving early access to some of the biggest new features coming to Apple’s wireless earbuds this fall.
Public Beta Now Live for AirPods Firmware
Until now, AirPods beta firmware has been mostly restricted to developers and difficult to install. That changed earlier this summer with a streamlined developer rollout, and now it’s expanding again.
Apple has officially opened up enrollment for the AirPods firmware public beta through its Beta Software Program. For now, the beta is limited to two models:
- AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
- AirPods (4th generation)
That’s not a surprise — most of the new features require Apple’s H2 chip, which only these models have.
What’s New in the AirPods Firmware Beta
If you’re running the iOS 26 beta and have supported AirPods, here’s what you’ll get access to:
- Sleep detection with automatic audio pausing
- Studio-quality voice recording
- Remote camera shutter control
- Smarter automatic switching when using CarPlay
- Better voice quality during calls
Some of these features can be customized in the Settings app once the beta is installed. For example, users can toggle sleep detection or assign specific actions to the AirPods stem for the new camera remote function.
Apple says the updated recording tools are built for creators, enabling studio-level audio capture directly from your AirPods. The camera remote also allows you to start or stop video recordings with a single press. Voice calls are getting a boost too, thanks to a more advanced version of Voice Isolation.
Should You Install It?
Like all pre-release software, the AirPods beta may come with bugs or performance hiccups. If you rely on your AirPods daily and want to avoid potential issues, you’re probably better off waiting for the stable release later this year.
Still, for those who want an early look at what’s coming in iOS 26, this is the most direct way to test the future of AirPods.
