How to install Apple’s beta firmware on AirPods Pro

Apple in July 2021 began offering beta firmware for AirPods Pro, with the software available to members of the Apple Developer Program.

The beta versions of the ‌AirPods Pro‌ firmware are limited to developers and are quite difficult to install, with an installation guide available below.

To note: Installing the firmware in an unauthorized manner can put the AirPods Pro‌ in an unusable state that requires out-of-warranty repair, so non-developers should not attempt to install the software.

Install AirPods Pro Firmware Profile on iPhone

1. On your iPhone, go to the Apple Developer website, sign in, and go to the downloads section.
2. Tap the carrot in the upper right corner, then tap “More.”
3. Scroll down to “‌AirPods Pro‌ beta” and press “View details”.
4. Tap the iOSAirPodsProSeed.mobileconfig configuration profile.
5. Press “Allow” to install it and select iPhone‌.
6. Open the Settings app and tap on “Downloaded Profile”, then on “Install” and enter your password.
7. Press “Install” again, then “Done.”

Connect AirPods Pro to iPhone

1. With the ‌AirPods Pro‌ near the iPhone‌, open the ‌AirPods Pro‌ case.
2. The ‌AirPods Pro‌ should automatically pair with the iPhone‌.

Use Xcode to enable AirPods Pro to receive beta software

1. Make sure the latest beta version of Xcode is installed. It can be downloaded from the Apple Developer website.
2. After installing ‌AirPods Pro‌ firmware configuration profile and then connecting ‌AirPods Pro‌ to iPhone‌, connect iPhone‌ to Mac with appropriate USB to Lightning cable.
3. Launch the Xcode beta app. In fact, you don’t have to do anything with the Xcode app beyond opening it.
4. On iPhone‌, open the Settings app, tap the Developer section, and choose Pre-Release Beta Firmware.
5. Locate the ‌AirPods Pro‌ in the list of paired devices.
6. Tap to enable automatic beta software updates for the appropriate ‌AirPods Pro‌ in the list.

Install beta firmware

After pressing to activate software updates, press “Accept” to accept Apple’s legal consent form. From there, your ‌AirPods Pro‌ will be ready to receive firmware.

Firmware installation is not Automatic and beta firmware installation on ‌AirPods Pro‌ may take up to 24 hours after activation.

To install the firmware, Apple says the AirPods must be connected to the iPhone‌, then the case hinge must be closed to trigger the update.

You can check if your ‌AirPods Pro‌ has been updated with the new firmware by plugging them in, pressing the “Bluetooth” section of the Settings app and pressing the “i” button. The number under version will let you know which update you have installed.

AirPods Pro firmware removal

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap on “Profiles and device management”.
4. Tap “‌AirPods Pro‌ Firmware Profile”.
5. Press “Delete profile”.

Once the profile is uninstalled, theAirPods Pro‌ will not receive any new beta software updates, but will continue to have beta software installed until the next non-beta software version is available.

AirPods firmware warnings

After installing the beta firmware on theAirPods Pro‌, there is no way to revert to a retail version of the firmware.

Apple says that once the PoAirPods Pro‌ firmware is installed, it’s important not to put any un-updated headphones in the charging case because they can be updated with firmware.

As mentioned above, Apple also warns that attempting to install the ‌AirPods Pro‌ firmware in an unauthorized manner could put the AirPods‌ in an unusable state, which would require out-of-warranty repair.