AirPods update: Apple officially describes the path for the first time
Updates to Apple's AirPods take place silently in the background. Apple has now described a way in which users can help.
(Image: Apple)
It has been a closely guarded but now open secret from Apple: now, for the first time, the iPhone manufacturer has published official instructions in its support documents on how users can be forced to install new firmware on the AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. And yet, it is unlikely to put an end to the discussions about whether this is really the ideal way.
Until now, Apple seemed to hold the principle of “It just works” sacred. Although there have been repeated requests from the public as to how firmware updates can be installed on the earphones as quickly as possible, Apple has simply left it at that. Unlike with iPhones, iPads or Macs, there was no officially documented way to install updates yourself. For some power users, however, this seemed to be a nuisance, as they wanted to be at the forefront when Apple released new functions in the beta phase.
No classic update button
The official procedure that has now been documented does not provide for a classic update mechanism, for example in the form of a button in the iPhone settings. Instead, users interested in the update must bring at least half an hour of time with them. According to media reports, Apple itself uses a special tool in its workshops.
The first step is to bring the AirPods within Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad or Mac, which is connected via Wi-Fi. The AirPods must then be placed in the charging case and the case closed. The next step is to connect the charging case to a charging plug or the USB port of a device using a USB cable. The closed charging case must be “plugged in” for at least 30 minutes to install the new firmware. Users should then open the lid of the case and reconnect the AirPods to the iPhone, iPad, or Mac and check the firmware version.
If this method does not lead to success
If the procedure described above is not successful, Apple recommends resetting the AirPods and then repeating the update process.
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The principle of putting the AirPods in the case, connecting them to the power supply and waiting had also been repeatedly described by users as the right way to go before Apple's announcement. Initial reactions once again expressed the wish that Apple should nevertheless introduce a button in the settings in future to be able to trigger the manual update in a targeted and reliable manner.
(mki)
