Apple’s public AirPods firmware 9A348, documented on September 16, 2026, brings several iOS 27 features to supported models. The headline addition is Custom EQ, which lets you adjust low, mid, and high frequencies; AirPods Pro 3 also gain heart-rate synchronization with compatible cardio equipment through GymKit on iPhone.
The rollout is model-dependent. Installing iOS 27 on an iPhone does not by itself put every AirPods feature on every model, and the firmware arrives automatically rather than through a manual update button.
Apple’s AirPods firmware 9A348 is the key update
Apple lists firmware 9A348 for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware works alongside compatible system software on the connected Apple device.
For the United States, Apple lists Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, automatic Conversation Boost, and relevant Hearing Protection features as available for supported AirPods models. Those health features remain separate from the broader iOS 27 audio and control changes.
Which AirPods get Custom EQ?
Custom EQ is available on AirPods 4 and later, AirPods Pro 2 and later, and AirPods Max 2. In the current 9A348 model list, that covers AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2.
The control adjusts three frequency ranges: low, mid, and high. That makes the feature useful for listeners who want to shape the balance of their music instead of relying only on Apple’s preset audio options.
The setting appears in the AirPods controls under Audio & Routing → Equalizer → Custom. If it does not appear immediately after installing iOS 27, the AirPods firmware may still be waiting to install.
The settings redesign and Adaptive Audio slider
The iOS 27 AirPods interface reportedly groups controls into clearer categories, including audio routing, hearing health, controls and gestures, accessibility, battery, Find My, and privacy. Listening modes and volume controls remain easy to reach near the top of the interface.
Adaptive Audio also reportedly gains a slider that lets you choose how strongly the mode favors pass-through sound or noise cancellation. Instead of treating Adaptive Audio as a single fixed behavior, the control gives you a middle ground between hearing more of your surroundings and reducing outside noise.
AirPods Pro 3 add a workout feature
AirPods Pro 3 can synchronize heart-rate data with compatible cardio equipment through GymKit on iPhone. Apple names treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, and stair-steppers among the compatible equipment categories.
The connection path matters: the iPhone links GymKit with the compatible machine and synchronizes heart-rate data from AirPods Pro 3. This is not a general feature listed for the other models covered by Apple’s 9A348 notes.
AirPods Pro 3 are also reported to support Precision Finding for their charging case through Apple Watch, using the case’s ultra-wideband hardware. Name Recognition is likewise reported as an accessibility feature that alerts the user when someone says their name.
Name Recognition, Siri AI and regional limits
Name Recognition is designed to alert the wearer when their name is detected in nearby speech. Its availability is tied to the AirPods feature set and compatible software, so it belongs to the model-dependent portion of the update rather than to every AirPods model universally.
Siri AI does not run independently inside the AirPods. It works through a connected iPhone, while the AirPods serve as the microphone and speaker for the interaction.
Regional rules apply to health-related functions. In the United States, Apple lists Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, automatic Conversation Boost, and relevant Hearing Protection features for supported models; those listings do not automatically extend to every country or every iOS 27 capability.
How the automatic AirPods firmware update works
Apple does not provide a manual “check for update” button for AirPods firmware. To give the update the required conditions:
- Update the connected iPhone, iPad, or Mac to compatible system software.
- Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
- Put the AirPods in their charging case and connect the case to power.
- Close the lid and keep the case within Bluetooth range of the connected Apple device.
- Leave the setup in place for at least 30 minutes.
The firmware version can be checked on an iPhone or iPad through Settings → Bluetooth → Info next to the AirPods → About. Apple recommends resetting the AirPods if the automatic installation still does not complete.
