AirPods and Beats Firmware Updates Address Important Security Issue

While Apple's release notes for AirPods firmware typically offer few details on included changes, the company has published a separate support document outlining a security issue that was fixed in today's firmware updates for AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, Powerbeats Pro, and Beats Fit Pro.

AirPods 3 Pro 2 and Max New Firmware
According to the document, today's firmware updates address a security issue that could have allowed an attacker within Bluetooth range to spoof the details of a device you've previously connected your headphones to, allowing the attacker to gain access to your headphones.

Apple usually mentions in its support documents if a security issue is known to have been exploited in the wild, but the company has not indicated that this is the case with this issue. Still, it's a good idea to update the firmware on your headphones as soon as possible as others could be inspired to attempt to replicate an exploit of the issue now that its existence has been publicized.

There is no straightforward mechanism for initiating a firmware update for AirPods and Beats headphones, with Apple simply stating that the updates are "automatically delivered while your headphones are paired with and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac."

Related Roundups: AirPods 3, AirPods Max, AirPods Pro
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
Apple Intelligence General Feature

Apple Intelligence Now Available in New iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia Developer Betas

Monday July 29, 2024 10:07 am PDT by
Apple is today providing developers with the first betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, with the new software introducing an early version of the Apple Intelligence features. These new betas will be in testing alongside the current iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia 15 betas. Developers can choose whether to opt into the new betas with Apple Intelligence, or stay on the ...
Apple Intelligence General Feature

Report: Apple Intelligence Delayed to iOS 18.1 in October

Sunday July 28, 2024 11:52 am PDT by
Apple Intelligence will miss its initial expected launch date to give Apple more time to fix bugs, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. According to individuals with knowledge about Apple's plans, the company now plans to start rolling out Apple Intelligence in software updates by October, arriving several weeks after the launch of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. This means that Apple...
T Mobile Generic Feature Pink 1

T-Mobile Sued for Breaking Lifetime Price Guarantees

Friday July 26, 2024 2:44 pm PDT by
T-Mobile customers have filed a lawsuit [PDF] against the carrier, alleging that it failed to honor a guarantee not to raise the prices of select cellular plans. The lawsuit, first spotted by Wired, claims that back in 2017, T-Mobile advertised several of its plans with a price lock, but then went on to increase prices starting in May 2024. "T-Mobile ONE customers keep their price until...

Top Rated Comments

CraigJDuffy Avatar
5 weeks ago
“it's a good idea to update the firmware on your headphones as soon as possible”

“There is no straightforward mechanism for initiating a firmware update”
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flexwithmarius Avatar
5 weeks ago
Need to update ASAP. Can’t have someone tap into my top secret gangsta rap gym playlist.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
5 weeks ago
Security issues…. for headphones?

Sure be nice to have an “update firmware” button :(
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FlyingToasterStrudel Avatar
5 weeks ago
In other words, someone could eavesdrop on your private conversations.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gco212 Avatar
5 weeks ago
Apple really needs to allow users to force an update for these products, as well as the ability to update the firmware using a PC.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
szw-mapple fan Avatar
5 weeks ago
Only Apple is allowed to pump unauthorized U2 albums into your ears.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)