Apple’s custom AirPods EQ is now live: Here’s how to enable it
- Apple has released AirPods beta firmware 9A5292e, enabling the custom EQ announced at WWDC 2026.
- The update is available for the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4 — you’ll also need the iOS 27 developer beta on your iPhone.
- AirPods Max 2 owners will have to wait for iOS 27 Beta 2, while the original AirPods Max appears to be left out entirely.
Just one day after Apple announced custom EQ settings for AirPods at WWDC 2026, the feature is already live for anyone brave enough to run beta software. Apple has rolled out AirPods beta firmware build 9A5292e for the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4, and early adopters on Reddit are confirming the new EQ works as advertised — provided your iPhone is also running the iOS 27 developer beta.
As we saw during the keynote, this is a fairly basic three-band equalizer, letting you raise or lower the volume of low, mid, and high frequencies. That simplicity has already drawn some criticism from those hoping for finer-grained control, though broad tone shaping is probably all most people need for adjusting sound to taste. Several AirPods Pro 3 owners say they’re most excited to simply dial back the earbuds’ heavy bass emphasis.
Notably absent from the party: AirPods Max. AirPods Max 2 firmware betas apparently aren’t supported in iOS 27 Beta 1 at all, with support arriving in iOS 27 Beta 2. The original AirPods Max, including the USB-C refresh, doesn’t appear to be getting the feature, which will surely be frustrating news for anyone who bought a pair shortly before the Max 2 arrived.
If you want to try the EQ yourself, the process is much simpler than the old Xcode-based firmware sideloading. Here’s how:
- Install the iOS 27 developer beta on your iPhone.
- Connect your AirPods, then open Settings and tap your AirPods at the top.
- Scroll down to AirPods Beta Updates and enable beta firmware updates.
- Place your AirPods in their case, plug them in to charge, and keep them near your iPhone.
The firmware should download and install automatically in the background. It takes around 20 to 30 minutes, so be patient. The usual beta caveats apply: expect bugs, and note that once your AirPods are on beta firmware, there’s no easy way to roll back without a trip to an Apple Store. A few early testers have already reported issues, including spatial audio sounding off after updating. If your AirPods are a daily driver, the public beta next month — or the full iOS 27 release this fall — is the safer bet.
