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.
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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