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If an AirPods firmware update seems stuck, first check whether your exact model actually needs an update. AirPods firmware installs automatically—not through a general “Update now” button—when the AirPods are charging and near a Wi-Fi-connected iPhone, iPad, or Mac with Bluetooth on. For AirPods and AirPods Pro, put them in a powered case, close the lid, and leave it near the connected device for at least 30 minutes. AirPods Max must be plugged into a USB charger or port during that wait. Then reconnect and check the firmware version. If it still has not changed, Apple’s next step is to reset the AirPods and repeat the process.
What should you check before trying to update?
Confirm the installed firmware version and compare it with Apple’s current list for your precise AirPods model. Apple lists versions separately by model, and the list can change, so do not assume that every AirPods model—or every charging-case variant—should show the same number. Use Apple’s current AirPods firmware list as the reference rather than relying on a version number from an old article.
To find the installed version on an iPhone or iPad, connect the AirPods, open Settings → Bluetooth, tap the Info button beside the AirPods, and look under About. On a Mac, open System Settings → Bluetooth and select the Info button beside the AirPods. If the displayed version already matches the current version for your model, the update has installed; repeating the process will not make it newer.
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If the version is older, remember that the settings screen reports the firmware currently installed, not a download percentage or live update status. Apple’s instructions do not describe a general manual update command or a progress indicator. The practical check is to meet the automatic update conditions, wait, and then compare the version again.
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Make sure you are comparing the right entries. First identify which AirPods model you own and, where Apple lists it separately, which charging-case variant you have. Then compare the displayed firmware number with that model’s entry on Apple’s live page. A number from another AirPods generation is not a useful comparison, and an old article or forum post may show a version that is no longer current. The model-specific check prevents a false alarm when your firmware is already up to date.
There is no update progress bar to interpret. If the version has not changed, you cannot tell from that number alone whether an update is pending or whether a prerequisite was missed. Use the steps below to establish the conditions Apple specifies, wait for the minimum period, and check the installed version again.
How do you update AirPods or AirPods Pro?
Apple’s procedure is to leave AirPods or AirPods Pro in a powered, closed case near a connected Apple device. Set up the conditions in this order, then allow at least 30 minutes for the automatic update.
- Update the Apple device’s software. Install the latest iOS, iPadOS, or macOS version available for the iPhone, iPad, or Mac you use with the AirPods.
- Turn on Bluetooth and connect the AirPods. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on that device and the AirPods are connected to it.
- Connect the device to Wi-Fi. Keep the iPhone, iPad, or Mac connected to Wi-Fi during the process.
- Connect the charging case to power. Use a cable and power source compatible with your case. Connector requirements depend on the AirPods and case model; there is no one cable that applies to every model.
- Put both AirPods in the case and close the lid. Leave the lid shut while they charge.
- Keep the case near the Apple device for at least 30 minutes. Keep the device and case within Bluetooth range and do not treat the 30-minute minimum as a guaranteed completion time.
- Reconnect and check the version. Open the lid, let the AirPods connect, then revisit the firmware information in Bluetooth settings and compare it with Apple’s current model-specific list.
Apple describes firmware updates as automatic while the AirPods are charging and within Bluetooth range of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac connected to Wi-Fi. The AirPods themselves do not need to be selected in a software-update menu. If they do not update immediately, the first useful response is to confirm that each condition above is in place, rather than repeatedly searching for a missing update button.
Keep the distinction between the AirPods’ connection and the Apple device’s internet connection clear. The instructions call for the AirPods to be connected to the iPhone, iPad, or Mac over Bluetooth, while that Apple device is connected to Wi-Fi. You do not need to look for a Wi-Fi setting on the AirPods themselves. Leave the paired device online and close enough for Bluetooth while the case is charging.
The case-power step is part of the documented procedure, not just a way to make sure the earbuds have battery for listening. Plug in the case using a compatible cable and power source, put both earbuds inside, and keep the lid closed for the wait. If you are unsure which cable fits your case, check the model and connector before buying anything; a cable is only needed if you do not already have a suitable one.
After the wait, opening the lid lets the AirPods reconnect so you can inspect their information. Recheck the version in Bluetooth settings and compare it with the same model-specific entry you used initially. That before-and-after comparison is the confirmation step; the absence of an on-screen progress message during the wait does not show that the update failed.
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How is the AirPods Max update procedure different?
AirPods Max do not use the closed charging-case procedure. Connect the headphones directly to power with their charging cable, and leave them within Bluetooth range of the connected Apple device for at least 30 minutes.
- Install the latest available iOS, iPadOS, or macOS on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac you use with AirPods Max.
- Turn on Bluetooth, connect AirPods Max to that device, and keep the device connected to Wi-Fi.
- Plug the charging cable into AirPods Max and connect the other end to a USB charger or USB port.
- Keep AirPods Max powered and within Bluetooth range of the Apple device for at least 30 minutes.
- Reconnect if necessary, then check the firmware version in the device’s Bluetooth settings.
Do not wait for AirPods Max to update inside a case: their documented update condition is a direct cable connection to a USB charger or port.
The shared requirements are still important: the paired iPhone, iPad, or Mac should have current available operating-system software, Bluetooth enabled, and Wi-Fi connectivity, and the headphones should remain within Bluetooth range. The difference is the power arrangement. AirPods and AirPods Pro charge in a powered case with the lid shut; AirPods Max connect directly to USB power. Use the procedure that matches your model rather than transferring the case steps to the headphones.
What should you try if the firmware version still has not changed?
If the model-specific version remains out of date after the automatic update conditions have been met, Apple’s documented next step is to reset the AirPods and try the update procedure again. Because reset instructions vary by AirPods model, follow Apple’s instructions for your exact model rather than applying a reset sequence intended for a different generation.
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- Check once more that you are comparing the installed version with the current entry for the exact AirPods model and case variant.
- Confirm the paired Apple device has current available system software, Bluetooth is on, and the device is connected to Wi-Fi.
- Make sure the AirPods are connected to that device. For AirPods or AirPods Pro, check that both earbuds are in the case and charging; for AirPods Max, make sure the charging cable is connected.
- Reset the AirPods using the model-appropriate Apple instructions.
- Reconnect them to the iPhone, iPad, or Mac and repeat the appropriate 30-minute update procedure above.
- After the wait, reconnect and check the firmware version again.
A connection failure can prevent the update conditions from being met, so troubleshoot pairing as well as charging. Apple’s AirPods connection guidance recommends checking that the device software is up to date, Bluetooth is on, and both earbuds are charging in the case, then trying to reconnect or pair again. If the AirPods will not connect, resolve that problem first; an update cannot be confirmed while the device cannot report the installed firmware.
When checking charging on AirPods or AirPods Pro, make sure both earbuds are in the case and charging rather than assuming that one charging indicator confirms both. If either earbud is not charging, the update setup is not complete. Address the connection or charging issue, then retry the documented process. For AirPods Max, check the direct cable connection instead of looking for an earbud-in-case charging condition.
Resetting is not a substitute for the update conditions. After the reset, reconnect the AirPods to the Apple device and set up Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and power again, then wait for at least 30 minutes. Do not expect the reset itself to install firmware or treat it as proof that the update succeeded. Check the displayed version afterward.
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A suitable charging cable is necessary only if you do not already have one that fits your case or AirPods Max. Check your model and connector before choosing a cable. A cable supplies power for the documented process; it is not a firmware repair and does not guarantee that an update will install.
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When should you ask Apple for help?
If you have followed the model-specific procedure, reset and retried, and still cannot install the current firmware—or if you do not have a nearby iPhone, iPad, or Mac—Apple says you can book an appointment at an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for an update.
When requesting help, have the AirPods model, installed firmware version, paired device and its operating-system version, and the steps you have already completed available. Those details help distinguish an update that is not needed from a pairing, power, or update problem. Apple’s published instructions give a minimum wait of 30 minutes but do not specify an upper limit or identify the cause of every stalled update, so a longer wait by itself does not establish a particular fault.
It is useful to note whether your AirPods connect successfully, whether both earbuds charge in the case, whether the case or headphones are connected to power during the wait, and whether the Apple device remains connected to Wi-Fi. Record the firmware number before and after you try. This is not a diagnosis by itself, but it gives Apple or an Authorized Service Provider a clear account of the model, setup, and result.
If you lack access to a nearby Apple device, you do not need to invent an alternate phone-based update method. Apple lists an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider appointment as an option for updating firmware. If you do have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac but cannot pair the AirPods, address that connection problem first, using Apple’s connection guidance, before repeating the firmware steps.
Why does the update appear stuck?
There may be no visible sign of progress because Apple describes these updates as automatic and does not provide a general manual update button or a percentage-complete display in its instructions. A firmware number that has not changed yet is therefore a reason to verify the setup and check again after the minimum wait—not proof on its own that the AirPods are broken.
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The most useful troubleshooting distinction is between the two procedures: AirPods and AirPods Pro need their earbuds in a powered case with the lid closed; AirPods Max need a direct USB power connection. Both require the AirPods to be connected to an Apple device, the device to have Bluetooth enabled and Wi-Fi, and the AirPods to stay within Bluetooth range while you wait. Once those conditions are correct, Apple’s stated escalation is reset and retry, followed by service if needed.
There is also an important difference between the minimum wait and a promised finish time. Apple says to leave the AirPods in the specified conditions for at least 30 minutes; it does not give a maximum duration or an average installation time. Do not infer a particular hardware fault solely because the version did not change at the 30-minute mark. Confirm the setup, repeat the process after resetting if necessary, and use the service option if the issue persists.
Finally, distinguish a version that is already current from one that has failed to update. Compare only against Apple’s current entry for your exact model. If the number matches, there is no newer firmware to install for that model according to the list. If it does not match, the version display tells you what is installed but does not reveal why the update has not completed; follow the connection, power, wait, and reset steps rather than assuming a cause.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Do AirPods connect directly to Wi-Fi to download firmware?
Apple’s instructions describe the AirPods as being near an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that is connected to Wi-Fi; they do not ask you to join the AirPods to a Wi-Fi network. Keep the paired Apple device online during the automatic update process.
Can I update AirPods firmware with an Android phone?
Apple’s documented update procedure uses a nearby iPhone, iPad, or Mac, so an Android phone is not one of the devices Apple lists for installing firmware. If you do not have a nearby Apple device, Apple identifies an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider appointment as an option.
How long can an AirPods firmware update take?
Apple specifies a minimum wait of at least 30 minutes for the update conditions, but its guidance does not state a maximum duration or average completion time. If the version has not changed after following the steps, use Apple’s reset-and-retry guidance rather than assuming a particular failure based only on elapsed time.
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Apple’s next step when firmware has not updated is to reset the AirPods and repeat the update procedure. Its instructions do not say that resetting installs firmware or provide a separate firmware-erase check, so confirm the installed version in Bluetooth settings after you retry.
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How do I check the firmware version on an iPhone or Mac?
Connect the AirPods, then on iPhone or iPad open Settings → Bluetooth, tap the Info button beside the AirPods, and look under About. On a Mac, open System Settings → Bluetooth and select the Info button beside the AirPods. Compare the number with Apple’s current list for your exact model.
Do AirPods Max update in their case?
No. Apple’s procedure for AirPods Max is to connect the headphones directly to a USB charger or port with the charging cable and keep them within Bluetooth range of the connected Apple device for at least 30 minutes. The powered, closed-case steps apply to AirPods and AirPods Pro.
Can I force an AirPods firmware update with an Update Now button?
Apple’s reviewed instructions describe firmware updates as automatic and do not provide a general manual Update Now command. Meet the charging, Bluetooth-range, and Wi-Fi conditions, wait at least 30 minutes, then reconnect and check the installed version.
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Do I need to buy a new charging cable to update?
Only if you do not already have a cable compatible with your AirPods case or AirPods Max. Connector requirements depend on the model. A cable provides the required power for the documented process; it does not repair firmware or guarantee an installation.
What if I do not have a nearby iPhone, iPad, or Mac?
Apple says you can book an appointment at an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for an update. Its documented automatic update procedure uses a nearby iPhone, iPad, or Mac connected to Wi-Fi.
The Bottom Line
Check the firmware against Apple’s current list for your exact model, then use the correct automatic procedure: a powered, closed case for AirPods and AirPods Pro, or a direct USB connection for AirPods Max. Keep the connected Apple device on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, wait at least 30 minutes, and check the version again. If it remains out of date, reset and retry; if that still fails, arrange help with Apple or an Authorized Service Provider.
