Apple Seeds AirPods Beta Firmware 9B5042a

Apple has begun distributing a new beta firmware build for its AirPods lineup, carrying the build number 9B5042a. The release covers AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 5, AirPods 4 and AirPods Max 2, according to 9to5mac.com.

The beta arrives while the public firmware version for most of those models — AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Max 2 and others — remains 9A348. The newly launched AirPods 5 ship with firmware 9A350.

Users who want to test the build can opt into beta updates from the AirPods settings screen on their iPhone. Apple has not detailed what changes the firmware contains.

Beta firmware for AirPods is typically distributed separately from the public release channel, meaning most owners will stay on 9A348 until Apple pushes a final version.