Apple isn’t just refreshing the iPhone with iOS 26, your AirPods are getting smarter too. A new firmware (build 8A356) rolled out for the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, unlocking a list of new features that tie directly into iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe. The upcoming AirPods Pro 3 will ship with all of these features built in.
Here’s what’s new.
Table of contents
1. Better call and recording quality
Phone calls and FaceTime calls sound clearer with improved audio processing. Apple also added studio-quality audio recording, so your AirPods can now double as a solid mic for interviews, podcasts, or quick video clips without sounding tinny.
2. AirPods as a camera remote
You can now use your AirPods as a remote shutter button in the Camera app. Tap to take a photo or start/stop video recording. Handy if you set your iPhone on a tripod and don’t want to walk back and forth.
3. Smarter playback control
- Pause when you fall asleep: If you doze off while listening to music, your AirPods can detect it and automatically pause playback.
- Keep Audio in Headphones: Ever had your music switch to your car stereo when you didn’t want it to? With this toggle, audio stays in your AirPods until you say otherwise.
- Charging reminders: Your iPhone will now nudge you when your AirPods battery is low, so you’re less likely to be caught with a dead pair.
4. Live Translation
On AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC, you now get Live Translation when paired with iOS 26. Speak in one language, hear it in another — an ambitious feature that could make travel easier.
How to update your AirPods
AirPods update automatically, but you can help it along:
- Put your AirPods in the charging case.
- Connect the case to power.
- Keep it near your iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS Tahoe.
- Wait about 30 minutes with the case closed.
You can check the firmware version in Settings → Bluetooth → AirPods → About.
Apple has been steadily turning AirPods from simple earbuds into a platform. This update makes them better microphones, better travel companions, and smarter everyday devices. With iOS 26, AirPods are catching up to the rest of Apple’s ecosystem upgrades — like Call Screening, Hold Assist, and even CarPlay video streaming.
It should be said live translation is available
On a device running iOS 26 and has Apple Intelligence enabled