Apple on Thursday released a new firmware update for both existing models of the AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case, including the USB-C and Lightning editions. The latest AirPods Pro 2 firmware is now version 7B19, and it’s a step up from the previous version 7A305.
While most AirPods firmware updates might be considered minor updates with changes so negligible that Apple doesn’t even bother to list them in the change log, that isn’t the case with version 7B19. In fact, this might just be the single most important update to the AirPods Pro 2 since version 7A294, which launched just over a month ago.
Citing Apple’s About firmware updates for AirPods web page, firmware version 7B19 incorporates a lot of new functionality that works interoperably with the company’s forthcoming iOS & iPadOS 18.1 firmware update. The full change log below:
Version 7B19 release notes
– When used with an iPhone or iPad running iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 or later, AirPods Pro 2 with firmware update 7B19 enable three new features—a Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection.
– The Apple Hearing Test feature provides scientifically validated hearing test results from the comfort of home (intended for users 18 years or older).
– The Hearing Aid feature provides personalized, clinical-grade assistance that is automatically applied to sounds in your environment as well as music, videos, and calls (intended for users 18 years or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss)
– The Hearing Protection feature helps users minimize exposure to loud environmental noise across listening modes (available in the United States and Canada)
Features require AirPods Pro 2 with firmware version 7B19 or later. All features may not be available for all countries or regions.
The screaming new features in this firmware update is support for Hearing Aid mode, Hearing Test, and advancements to Hearing Protection. These are features that Apple touted during its most recent keynote presentation, and it’s about to make life so much better for people with hearing problems that they may know nothing about.
Not only can the AirPods Pro 2 be used as an FDA-approved Hearing Aid device, but the AirPods Pro 2 can even test your hearing on-device without the need to visit a doctor. Moreover, smarter features help protect your ears from nearby loud sounds, thereby preserving your hearing for longer as you age.
All these features require iOS & iPadOS 18.1, which hasn’t launched yet, but beta testers can already download and install the release candidate. So it makes sense for Apple to be launching these features ahead of next week’s software update so that peoples’ devices can begin updating in the meantime.
To check what firmware your AirPods Pro 2 are currently running, you can visit Settings → Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad and tap on the Information (i) button beside your AirPods Pro 2 in your Bluetooth devices list, like so:
While you can’t force an AirPods Pro 2 firmware update, you can certainly stack the odds in your favor by creating an ideal environment for AirPods Pro 2 firmware updates. Apple says that AirPods firmware updates happen automatically when the following criteria are met:
- AirPods Pro 2 are connected to power and charging
- AirPods Pro 2 are within Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
- Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is in range of and connect to a Wi-Fi network with internet access
If you don’t have an Apple device to create the ideal automatic firmware updating environment, then you have the alternative option of bringing your device to an Apple Store, which this update may be worth doing that for if you don’t have a way to update at home.
Have your AirPods Pro 2 been updated to the latest 7B19 firmware as of yet? Let us know in the comments section down below.
Source and image credit: idownloadblog.ccom
