Mystery solved: Here’s how to tell when your AirPods are updating
If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably searched Google at least once. How do I know when my AirPods are updated? Although Apple offers official documentation outlining what is needed to start the process, its instructions remain vague, providing no clear way to confirm whether an AirPods firmware update is actually in progress. Nonetheless, we discovered a subtle but reliable indicator that reveals when your AirPods are installing new software.
When the charging case cover is open and/or AirPods are in use, the iPhone Settings app displays a [your name]AirPods panel towards the top of the screen. The panel acts as a shortcut that takes you directly to the AirPods settings page, saving you from having to go through the Bluetooth menu first. When you put your AirPods back into their charging case and close its lid, the AirPods panel disappears from the main Settings app page in a few seconds.
The AirPods settings panel (right) will remain displayed for a few minutes when the AirPods install a software update.
Foundry
However, I discovered a discrepancy in this behavior that only seems to occur when an AirPods firmware update is in progress. On two occasions, the AirPods panel persisted in my Settings app even after I put my AirPods Pro 3 back in their case and closed the lid. The panel remained for a few minutes (as opposed to seconds) until the firmware installation was complete. Both cases happened right after Apple released the new AirPods firmware, and I checked the change in version numbers immediately afterward.
The AirPods panel in the Settings app indicates an active connection between your iPhone and AirPods. So the situation here makes sense, as AirPods rely on iPhones to download new software packages. As soon as the installation process is completed, the panel disappears and the build number indicates that the new firmware has been successfully installed.
According to Apple, “Firmware updates are delivered automatically while your AirPods are charging and within Bluetooth range of your Wi-Fi-connected iPhone, iPad, or Mac.” So, beyond following the company’s instructions, there’s not much you can do to force a firmware update. But if you keep an eye on your Settings app, you’ll at least be able to tell when the new software is installed. Besides, you can go try it with the update that just arrived this week.
