Apple has announced that new features for AirPods, including studio-quality audio recording and a camera remote, will be available in public beta from July 2025.
This is the first time Apple has decided to include the updated AirPods firmware in the public beta programme, with it typically being part of the paid-for developer service only.
The features, which are part of the iOS 26 update, will be available for users to experiment with over the summer, Apple has confirmed.
However, as with all beta software, I have reservations – and unless you’re particularly brave, I wouldn’t recommend testing this new software out on the AirPods you use every day.
Betas are fun, but not for everyone
That’s because beta software can be buggy and unstable and may not work as intended. So if you’re planning to try out the new AirPods features, proceed with caution.
I use my AirPods for hours every day, whether I am commuting or trying to get work done in a busy cafe, and I would never want to risk them not being fully operational for the sake of testing some features early. Even if those new features seem pretty clever.
The new audio recording feature is designed to help content creators capture better sound quality, while also improving the accuracy of dictation. The camera remote feature will enable users to trigger the Camera app by squeezing the AirPods stem.
All these new features will be available on AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 2. However, you’ll need an iPhone that can run iOS 26 to access the new features. iOS 26 will support devices as far back as the iPhone 11.
Apple made the developer beta available on June 9 2025 shortly after the WWDC 25 Keynote ended. The public beta is generally more stable than the developer version, but both carry risks. It’s possible to brick your device if something goes wrong during the installation of beta software.
If you want to give the beta a go, you can sign up through Apple’s Beta Software Program when the public beta goes live sometime in July.
