Brick you AirPods too!

For first time, you can install beta firmware on AirPods

Author

Leander Kahney
July 31, 2025

In partnership with

Come the fall, when Apple officially releases iOS 26, your AirPods will be getting some cool new features, including:

  • Use AirPods as a Camera remote

  • Use AirPods as an external microphone when recording videos (for way-better audio and noise cancellation)

  • Auto-pause audio when sleeping

  • Automatic CarPlay hand-off when you get in your car

And there’s more on the way. But you can get these features now — if you dare!

For the first time ever, Apple’s making it easy for the public to install beta firmware on your AirPods.

Before you rush off to do this, there’s some important prerequisites and warnings you should be aware of: Namely, there’s no rolling it back if things go sideways.

But if you’re interested in getting these new features now, here’s how to do it.

Also in today’s newsletter:

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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— Steve Jobs, 1985.

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