AirPods are getting some major updates as part of iOS 18 today, especially the AirPods Pro 2: there are new gesture controls, improved audio quality for games and calls, more control over adaptive audio, and spatial audio for games.
There are some differences depending on which model of AirPods you have.
New Siri interactions, which allow you to accept or silence calls and notifications with head motions, are available for all AirPods. The new Voice Isolation feature for clearer calls is also available for all AirPods.
Custom spatial audio for gaming requires AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.
How to get the new AirPods update
In most cases, your AirPods will receive the update automatically when the update is initiated, they are within Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac connected to Wi-Fi, and they are charging. Once the update is installed, you'll get a cheerful welcome message the next time you use your headphones or earbuds.
If you have AirPods Pro 2, you may already have the update—my pair automatically updated over the weekend to version number 7A294.
If you're not sure whether or not you have the latest version, it's pretty easy to check out all the best AirPods models.
If you connect your AirPods and look at the About information (in Settings > Bluetooth; tap the info button next to your AirPods, then scroll down to About) on your iPhone or iPad, you should see the name of the firmware currently installed.
On a Mac, the same information is found under Apple menu > System Information > Bluetooth and then the name of your AirPods. The latest firmware for each AirPods model is always listed on this page on Apple's website.
If you don’t appear to have the correct firmware version for your model, you can force an over-the-air update by connecting them to your Mac — for AirPods Max, that means plugging them in directly via the Lightning to USB cable, and with AirPods and AirPods Pro, it means placing the earbuds in their charging case and then connecting the case to your computer. That should start the update process — you can read a more detailed step-by-step process in our full guide on how to update the firmware on your AirPods.
If you make sure you're up to date even before iOS 18 arrives, then you should have access to the new features right away. Or, if iOS 18 arrives and things don't seem to be working, check your firmware in case the software hasn't made it to your AirPods yet.
