Your AirPods firmware hasn’t updated, and there’s no button to start the installation. Updates happen automatically once the charging and connection setup is right. Get that setup ready, leave your AirPods near your Apple device for at least 30 minutes, then check whether the new firmware has installed.
Get your Apple device ready
Automatic updates need your AirPods charging within Bluetooth range of an Apple device connected to Wi-Fi.
Update your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to its latest operating system.
Turn on Bluetooth on that device.
Connect the device to Wi-Fi.
Connect your AirPods to it over Bluetooth before starting the charging procedure below.
Leave your AirPods charging for at least 30 minutes
Connect your charging case to power. These steps apply to AirPods 1 through 5, including AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and both AirPods 5 models, and AirPods Pro 1 through 3.
Place both earbuds inside the case.
Close the lid.
Leave the closed case within Bluetooth range of your prepared iPhone, iPad, or Mac for at least 30 minutes.
Open the lid after the waiting period.
Reconnect your AirPods to your Apple device.
Keep the case powered and near your Apple device throughout the wait.
See which firmware is installed
On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth, tap the Info button beside your AirPods, then find the firmware version under About.
On a Mac, open the Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth, then click the Info button beside your AirPods to see their firmware version.
Compare that version with the entry for your exact model in Apple’s AirPods firmware list. If they match, you’re done. If they don’t, use the recovery steps below and retry the charging procedure.
Update AirPods Max through the right earphone
This supplies the charging setup AirPods Max need for an automatic firmware update.
Connect your AirPods Max to the prepared iPhone, iPad, or Mac over Bluetooth.
Plug a charging cable into the port on the right earphone.
Connect the other end to a USB charger or USB port.
Keep the headphones charging within Bluetooth range of your Apple device for at least 30 minutes.
Reconnect your AirPods Max to that device after the wait.
Check their firmware version under Settings > Bluetooth > Info > About on iPhone or iPad, or Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth > Info on Mac.
Reset your earbuds if the update stalls
Place both earbuds in the case.
Close the lid for 30 seconds.
On your paired iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth.
If your AirPods appear under My Devices, tap their More Info button. If they aren’t listed, skip to opening the case below.
Tap Forget This Device.
Confirm that you want to forget them.
Open the case lid.
For AirPods 1, 2, or 3, or AirPods Pro 1 or 2, hold the rear setup button for approximately 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber and then white. Your next step is reconnection below.
For AirPods 4 (all models), AirPods 5 (both models), or AirPods Pro 3, double-tap the front of the case while the status light is on.
Double-tap the front again when the light flashes white.
Double-tap it a third time when the flashing speeds up. The light then flashes amber and white.
Reconnect your AirPods by following the onscreen instructions.
Repeat the powered-case update procedure, including the wait of at least 30 minutes.
A reset is a recovery step, so you still need to give the automatic update time to install afterward.
Restart AirPods Max when an update stalls
AirPods Max need power and a nearby Apple device with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled for firmware updates.
If the update still hasn’t installed after the charging procedure, charge your AirPods Max to at least 50 percent before restarting or resetting. If your AirPods Max won’t charge at all, skip the restart and factory-reset them instead.
Hold the listening mode button and Digital Crown until the light flashes amber.
Release both buttons to complete the restart.
Reconnect the headphones to your Apple device.
Retry the AirPods Max update procedure above.
If a restart doesn’t help, factory-reset the headphones by holding the listening mode button and Digital Crown for 15 seconds, until the light flashes amber and then white.
Reconnect your AirPods Max using the onscreen instructions.
Repeat the charging and waiting procedure once more. Neither restarting nor resetting installs firmware by itself.
Ask Apple for help without an Apple device nearby
No iPhone, iPad, or Mac nearby? Arrange an appointment with an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider through Apple Support for help updating your AirPods.
Apple provides no official consumer firmware installer for Android or Windows, and no button to install an AirPods update immediately.
If charging and resetting your model still haven’t worked, contact Apple Support for further help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does resetting AirPods downgrade their firmware?
No. Resetting does not roll back the installed firmware.
Can I immediately remove AirPods beta firmware?
No. To stop receiving beta updates, open Settings on iPhone or iPad, or System Settings on Mac. Go to Bluetooth > Info beside your AirPods > AirPods Beta Updates. Turn the toggle off. Your AirPods return to public firmware when an updated non-beta release arrives; turning off beta updates does not immediately remove or downgrade the installed beta.
Do I need to download firmware from Apple’s AirPods product page?
No. Apple’s AirPods product page is a product destination, not a downloadable firmware installer. There is no standalone consumer firmware download.
Do these update instructions cover AirPods 5?
Yes. Apple updated its firmware document on September 17, 2026 and now lists both AirPods 5 models at firmware version 9A350, so the charging and waiting procedure above is the way to update them. Apple’s reset instructions also cover both AirPods 5 models and specify the timed front-of-case double-tap reset.
Which AirPods Max models use the charging procedure?
The procedure covers AirPods Max 1 with either Lightning or USB-C, and AirPods Max 2.