Apple releases instructions for installing new AirPods firmware updates — here's how

As with many Apple products, AirPods headphones and earbuds get firmware updates from time to time. In general, these updates install automatically.

However, today, Apple finally released step-by-step instructions on manually installing a firmware update yourself. You can find the instructions on the updated AirPods support page (spotted by MacRumors).

Before now, Apple stated, "Firmware updates are delivered automatically while your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi . You can also use your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to check that your AirPods have the latest version."

You can check your AirPods status in the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone or iPad.

Here are the six steps you can take to force a firmware update:

You won't need to do this for every firmware update as the automatic update process will still run in the background as usual.

The support page does include information on troubleshooting your AirPods if the earbuds won't update, including potentially resetting your AirPods.

The page also has slightly different firmware update steps for those of you with AirPods Max headphones.

Before today, the only option for keeping your AirPods up to date was to wait for the automatic updates. Now, we at least have this other option available, especially if the automatic update fails to take.

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