iOS 26 AirPods Update is Out! - What's New?

The new iOS 26 AirPods firmware update (8A356) brings camera control, translation beta, improved audio quality, and enhanced connectivity for supported devices like AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4.

• iOS 26 AirPods update (8A356) is out with new features.

• H2 chip required for camera control, translation beta, and audio improvements.

• Connectivity is enhanced with fewer dropped connections.

Apple's iOS 26 firmware update for AirPods introduces several new features and improvements, including camera control, translation beta, enhanced audio quality, and improved connectivity. Most of these features are exclusive to AirPods with the H2 chip, such as AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, while AirPods Max receive limited updates; the update also removes the AirPods beta firmware update switch, streamlining the update process.

Checking for Update

• 00:00:52 To check for the update, navigate to settings on iOS 26 and select your AirPods; the latest firmware update is 8A356, and updates typically occur automatically when the AirPods are charged to 50% or more. If they haven't updated automatically, play music through them for about 30-45 seconds, then place them back in their case next to the phone, or plug them into a Mac via USB-C.

Camera Control

• 00:02:30 Camera control is now available, allowing you to take photos or videos by pressing once or pressing and holding the stem of the AirPod. This feature can be customized in settings to either take a photo or start recording a video, offering a seamless way to capture media.

Translation Beta

• 00:03:18 The translation beta feature allows real-time, on-device translation between languages like English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. By pressing and holding both AirPods, users can initiate live translation, which is displayed on-screen and spoken in the user's language; downloaded languages enable offline translation.

Improved Audio Quality

• 00:04:57 The update enhances audio quality using the H2 chip set and beam forming microphones, providing more natural vocal textures and clarity across iPhone calls, FaceTime, and call kit enabled apps. Studio quality recording is also available, allowing for higher quality audio when recording videos or podcasts with AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2.

Connectivity and Other Features

• 00:06:15 The iOS 26 update includes an option to keep audio with headphones when other devices connect to the iPhone, preventing interruptions during calls or music playback. Additional features include a pause media option when falling asleep, charging indicators, and improved connectivity with fewer dropped connections and faster switching between devices.