Apple now offers beta firmware to test our on AirPods Pro. Here is how you can download and install it right now.
You Can Test Drive AirPods Pro Beta Firmware if You Have a Developer Program Account with Apple
Before we go ahead and do anything at all, you should know that once you install the beta firmware on your AirPods Pro, you cannot downgrade back to the regular firmware. You have to install every single beta firmware until you reach the non-beta version. Only then you can erase the beta profile from your iPhone and start using your AirPods Pro without any misery of beta firmware.
This does not need to be said at this point, but you will need a working, paid-for Apple Developer Program membership in order to access the AirPods Pro beta firmware. You can sign up by going to this link. It will cost you $99 annually.
Once you are done with the subscription, follow the steps below to get up and running with the AirPods Pro beta firmware.
Note: Make sure your AirPods Pro are paired with your iPhone before going ahead with the steps below.
- Sign into your Apple Developer Program using your iPhone and then head over to the Downloads section
- Now tap on the More Downloads section
- Scroll down to AirPods Pro beta, tap on View Details and install the available profile onto your iPhone
- Tap on Allow when the pop-up asks you for permission
- You will be required to enter your iPhone passcode in order to authorize this profile
- Download and install the latest Xcode beta from the Downloads section of the Apple Developer Program website and set it up
- Launch Xcode beta
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a Lightning cable
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Developer
- Scroll down and you will see Pre-Release Beta Firmware under the AirPods Testing section. Tap on it to open
- You will see the paired AirPods Pro here - move the toggle switch to the ON position
With the toggle switch enabled, the AirPods Pro beta firmware will download and install in the background. There is absolutely nothing you can do to force the update onto your earphones, although we do wish there was.
Once the update is installed, you can expect to try out the new Spatial Audio feature in FaceTime. Apparently, it will blow you away once you hear it.
Remmeber folks, this is beta firmware which you are testing out. Expect it to be a little rough. Things like disconnections and bad battery life comes as part of unfinished software and this is going to be no different at all.
