Apple AirPods Pro 2nd generation
The second-generation AirPods Pro are magnificent, with active noise-cancelling that beats the first AirPods Pro, which had already set the bar high, and better battery life.
But then some users started complaining that there were audio issues. Most of these concerned audio drift, where sound shifts between earbuds inappropriately or slips out of sync when you’re watching video, for instance. Now, Apple has released updated firmware for the new AirPods Pro.
Other issues involved volume levels shifting up and down without the user wanting this. In other words, something needed to change.
Apple hasn’t specifically stated that the new firmware is to address these issues, so we can but hope. The new version, according to Apple, brings “Bug fixes and other improvements”. That’s what it says in a new support document from Apple.
Even if it doesn’t fix the problem (and my earbuds haven’t suffered from it, so I can’t offer personal experience here), it’s worth having, so how do you get it?
Updates for AirPods work differently from the iPhone and Mac, for instance. You can’t request the update as you can with those devices. Apple says, “Firmware updates are delivered periodically while your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Because firmware updates are delivered automatically, you don’t need to update your AirPods.”
In other words, your AirPods Pro need to be connected to your other device, but that’s all you can do, apart from practicing patience.
To check, you need to find out which version of firmware your AirPods Pro are currently using. This is Apple’s advice: “Go to Settings > Bluetooth, then tap the Info button next to the name of your AirPods. Scroll down to the About section to find the firmware version.”
When it’s updated, you’re looking for build number 5B58.
I left my AirPods Pro next to my iPhone and the firmware update was installed within the hour, so you may not need to wait long.
