How to Install Beta Firmware on AirPods Pro (and Why You Need It)
Following the iPhone, iPad and Mac, AirPods Pro have joined the ranks of Apple devices receiving beta updates. Apple will now release regular beta updates for AirPods Pro that anyone with an Apple Developer account can install.
This beta version allows you to access upcoming features before they go public. With the first beta of AirPods Pro, this means you can test Ambient Noise Cancellation and Spatial Audio features for FaceTime calls.
To install this beta, you need to be using iOS 15 Developer Beta 3 or higher, and Xcode 13 Beta 3 on your Mac. Before getting started, it’s important to note that there is no way for AirPods Pro to downgrade if something goes wrong; you will have to wait until an update is released to resolve any bugs.
How to Install AirPods Pro Beta Profile on iPhone
While the general process for activating an AirPods Pro beta is very different, the process for installing a beta profile will be familiar to you if you’ve already installed iOS 15 developer beta .
- On your iPhone, go to the Downloads section of the Apple developer site .
- Once logged in, click the drop-down icon next to the Downloads section and select the More option.
- Find the AirPods Pro Beta section and click the View Details button.
- Select the ” iOSAirPodsProSeed.mobileconfig ” profile and click the ” Allow ” button to install it.
- Open the Settings app, click on ” Profile loaded ” at the top and select ” Install ” to install the profile on your device. Enter your device password for authentication.
- Click Install again and finally click Finish to complete the process.
Enabling Beta AirPros Pro Updates Using Xcode
The beta profile for AirPods Pro is now installed on your iPhone, but the process for actually installing the beta update is different from other developer beta for iOS and iPadOS.
This assumes using Xcode on your Mac, but only for authentication. Make sure you are using the latest Xcode beta (Xcode 13 Beta 3) before you start.
- Connect AirPods to iPhone first, then connect iPhone to Mac.
- Launch the beta Xcode app on your Mac. (You don’t need to do anything else. You just need to open it.)
- On your iPhone, open the application “Settings” and go to “Developer”.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and select the ” Pre-beta firmware ” option.
- You’ll find your paired AirPods Pro at the top. Tap the switch next to it to enable beta software updates for AirPods Pro. Click the Agree button to agree to Apple’s terms and conditions, and you’re done.
To start the update, charge your AirPods Pro to 100%, connect them to your iPhone, and close the loops on the carrying case.
To see if your firmware has actually been updated, go to Settings > Bluetooth , press the i button next to AirPods Pro, and check the firmware number.
How to Uninstall AirPods Pro Beta Firmware
While you cannot rollback firmware updates, you can exit the beta channel to await stable updates in the future.
Open the “Settings” and select “General”> “Profile and Device Control”> “Firmware Profile AirPods Pro». Here, click Remove Profile to remove the AirPods Pro beta profile from your device.