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Apple rolls out AirPods beta firmware as iOS 27.2 features take shape

Apple released AirPods beta firmware and is preparing iOS 27.2 with Group FaceTime Dual Capture, Podcasts and TV changes.

AI News Feed · 2026-09-30 05:10

The AirPods beta firmware has build number 9B5042a. It is available so far for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, though 9to5Mac said it will likely reach other H2-chip models. The current public AirPods firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Max 2 and other models is 9A348, while the newly launched AirPods 5 use 9A350.

Apple has not said what the new firmware changes. 9to5Mac said it could lay groundwork for features in iOS 27.1 or 27.2, or it could focus on bug fixes and performance improvements. Users who want to test it can opt into beta updates from the AirPods settings screen on an iPhone. There is no way to manually trigger a firmware update, but Apple has instructions intended to help the automatic process happen quickly. Those steps include updating the paired iPhone, iPad or Mac to the latest OS, turning on Bluetooth, connecting the AirPods, joining Wi-Fi, connecting the charging case to power, placing the AirPods in the closed case within Bluetooth range, waiting at least 30 minutes, reopening the case to reconnect and checking the firmware version again.

The iOS 27.2 features follow the release of iOS 27.0.1 one day earlier, and arrive as Apple works on iOS 27.2; 9to5Mac said iOS 27.1 is likely iPhone Duo-only.

In iOS 27, FaceTime gained Dual Capture on compatible iPhones, allowing users to display front and rear camera views at the same time. Tapping the Flip button makes the back camera go live while the front camera remains active. The feature currently works only in one-on-one calls, but iOS 27.2 will extend it to Group FaceTime calls, 9to5Mac reported.

The Apple Podcasts app will change its Up Next queue in iOS 27.2. The existing Up Next section at the top of the Home tab will be split into New Episodes, which contains the latest releases for shows the user follows, and Continue Playing, a new section directly below it for all in-progress shows. 9to5Mac described the current Up Next feature as cluttered and confusing and said early testing of the change showed a major improvement for tracking listening.

The Apple TV app will support user profiles on iPhone for the first time, bringing a feature from tvOS to iOS. When the app first launches in iOS 27.2, users will see a profile selection screen; they can disable it from appearing again. Profiles let the app change content and recommendations based on the selected viewer. When a child's profile is active, only age-appropriate series and movies from Apple are shown, which 9to5Mac said can keep a personal viewing queue uncluttered and prevent children from seeing unsuitable content.

Editor's Summary Apple's new AirPods beta firmware is available for testing on several H2-chip models, while iOS 27.2 is set to add Dual Capture for Group FaceTime, a reworked Apple Podcasts queue and TV app user profiles. The firmware changes are not yet detailed, but the iOS update continues Apple's focus on FaceTime, media apps and family viewing controls.