New tool enables technicians to manually update AirPods Pro

Starting the week of December 13, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers will add a tool to their arsenal allowing technicians to update AirPods Pro to the latest firmware.

The new tool gives access to Apple Service Toolkit 2, allowing technicians to update the firmware on customers' AirPods Pro. Unfortunately, certain scenarios can cause over-the-air updates to fail.

Reasons for failure include customers using non-iOS devices, if a left or right AirPods Pro fails to update, or if the customer received a replacement with a different firmware version than their existing hardware.

According to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors, the tool is compatible with AirPods Pro with a wireless charging case or a MagSafe charging case. However, it is unknown whether the tool works with other AirPods models.

Currently, there is no way to update AirPods firmware manually, as the device should automatically update when paired to an iPhone or iPad.

Apple recently released AirPods firmware 4.2 for all models, and customers can check their firmware version by heading to Settings > General > About and tapping the AirPods they wish to view.

8 Comments

GeorgeBMac 11421 comments · 8 Years

About 2 years ago

This is good! Apple stores keep getting improved service abilities for iPods. The last time I had mine there they were able to test their sound with a new machine they had recently installed.

That helps us, the customers.

Now, I wish they could do the same for the watch.

Louisr 2 comments · 3 Years

It’s very easy to update, go here:
https://youtu.be/nVfWXFI-yLw

Japhey 1772 comments · 6 Years

Louisr said:

It’s very easy to update, go here:
https://youtu.be/nVfWXFI-yLw

Thanks. He even calls for an Apple Watch style app for AirPods, which would be most welcome.

dewme 5737 comments · 10 Years

Not sure why personal device management is such a convoluted mess with Apple. The widely disparate update models, tooling, and device update and management processes for Apple Watch, AirPods, most Apple Home enabled devices (including HomePod), Apple TV, and AirTags is truly a dog's breakfast.

You'd think that a company so enamored with the concept of "ecosystem" and product lines and product families would come up with some commonality and quality of service and first class UX expectations about managing all of their devices that are part of their so-called ecosystem. This would only enhanced the value of the ecosystem and increase stickiness for staying in the ecosystem. But no, Apple totally flubs this collective need in a very embarrassingly halfhearted way.

I'm sure they'd prefer that everything "just works" magically in the background and with zero end user involvement, but it doesn't. Spreading the ugliness around in a dozen different places and hiding it in dark corners that don't really make sense but were chosen because some engineer could "shoehorn it in" does not help in the least.

C'mon Apple, get you act together and give this the attention it deserves.

dewme said:

Not sure why personal device management is such a convoluted mess with Apple. The widely disparate update models, tooling, and device update and management processes for Apple Watch, AirPods, most Apple Home enabled devices (including HomePod), Apple TV, and AirTags is truly a dog's breakfast.

You'd think that a company so enamored with the concept of "ecosystem" and product lines and product families would come up with some commonality and quality of service and first class UX expectations about managing all of their devices that are part of their so-called ecosystem. This would only enhanced the value of the ecosystem and increase stickiness for staying in the ecosystem. But no, Apple totally flubs this collective need in a very embarrassingly halfhearted way.

I'm sure they'd prefer that everything "just works" magically in the background and with zero end user involvement, but it doesn't. Spreading the ugliness around in a dozen different places and hiding it in dark corners that don't really make sense but were chosen because some engineer could "shoehorn it in" does not help in the least.

C'mon Apple, get you act together and give this the attention it deserves.

Actually, they DO "prefer that everything "just works" magically in the background and with zero end user involvement' And, fortunately, it usually does. That's one of the reasons why people with no technical background or inclination gravitate to Apple products.

But, I know what you mean: that approach has its drawbacks as well. I think that Steve would agree with you as well -- but he also preferred the other way. Here he is responding to a similar challenge about OpenDoc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeqPrUmVz-o&t=17s