For those who’re studying this text, you’ve in all probability Googled not less than as soon as, How do I do know when my AirPods are updating? Whereas Apple gives official documentation outlining what’s required to begin the method, its steerage stays obscure, offering no clear technique to verify whether or not an AirPods firmware replace is definitely in progress. Nonetheless, we’ve uncovered a refined but dependable indicator that reveals when your AirPods are putting in new software program.
When the charging case’s lid is open and/or the AirPods are in use, the iPhone’s Settings app shows a [your name]’s AirPods panel in the direction of the highest of the display screen. The panel acts as a shortcut that takes you on to the AirPods’ settings web page, sparing you from going by way of the Bluetooth menu first. Whenever you return your AirPods to their charging case and shut its lid, the AirPods panel disappears from the Settings app’s most important web page inside a couple of seconds.

The AirPods settings panel (seen at proper) will stay for a couple of minutes when AirPods are putting in a software program replace.
Foundry
Nevertheless, I’ve found a deviation on this habits that seems to happen solely when an AirPods firmware replace is in progress. On two separate events, the AirPods panel endured in my Settings app even after I returned my AirPods Professional 3 to their case and closed the lid. The panel caught round for a couple of minutes (versus seconds) till the firmware set up accomplished. Each cases occurred proper after Apple had launched new AirPods firmware, and I verified the change in construct numbers instantly after.
The AirPods panel within the Settings app signifies an energetic connection between your iPhone and AirPods. So, the state of affairs right here is sensible, as AirPods piggyback on iPhones to obtain new firmware packages. As quickly because the set up course of concludes, the panel disappears, and the construct quantity reveals that new firmware has been efficiently put in.
In line with Apple, “firmware updates are delivered mechanically whereas your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth vary of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that’s linked to Wi-Fi.” So, past following the corporate’s directions, there’s not a lot you are able to do to power a firmware replace. However should you regulate your Settings app, you’ll not less than have the ability to know when the brand new software program is being put in. In reality, you’ll be able to go strive it out with the replace that simply arrived this week.

