Apple Releases AirPods Pro 3 Firmware Update 8B40, Succeeding 8B39
Apple has rolled out a new firmware version for its AirPods Pro 3 wireless earbuds. The update, designated as build 8B40, replaces the previous 8B39 version that arrived in March 2026.
The company began pushing the firmware on April 30, 2026. As with the majority of AirPods updates, Apple has provided minimal details on the contents. Its official support document lists the release notes for version 8B40 simply as "Bug fixes and other improvements."
This is the first firmware refresh for the AirPods Pro 3 since the 8B39 update last month, which Apple applied across the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 (both USB-C and Lightning case variants), and AirPods 4 models. The newer 8B40 release appears targeted specifically at the AirPods Pro 3 for now, leaving the Pro 2 and AirPods 4 models on 8B39.
Firmware updates for AirPods arrive automatically. Users need to place the earbuds in their charging case, connect the case to power, and keep the case near an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that is connected to Wi-Fi and has Bluetooth enabled.
Apple recommends leaving the setup in place for at least 30 minutes to allow the process to complete. Owners can check the installed firmware version in the Settings app under the Bluetooth section by tapping the information icon next to their AirPods.
According to Apple's support page on AirPods firmware updates, the current lineup shows AirPods Pro 3 at 8B40 while other recent models remain at 8B39.
The page had not yet fully reflected the new build in all sections immediately after the rollout, a common occurrence noted by observers on social media.
The timing of the 8B40 update aligns with preparations for the upcoming iOS 26.5 software release expected in the coming weeks. Previous AirPods firmware releases have often coincided with or preceded broader iOS updates to ensure compatibility and address performance issues that surface during testing.
No specific feature additions or major changes have been confirmed for 8B40. Apple rarely discloses granular details beyond the standard "bug fixes and other improvements" phrasing unless the update introduces notable new capabilities, such as support for heart rate sensing or other hardware features that arrived with earlier builds like 8A356 for the Pro 3.
The incremental nature of these updates reflects Apple's approach to maintaining the AirPods lineup through small, background refinements rather than public changelogs.
Users have reported general stability improvements and occasional fixes for connectivity or audio performance in similar past releases, though individual results vary.
As the firmware continues to propagate to more AirPods Pro 3 units over the next days, any user-observed differences in battery life, noise cancellation, call quality, or Bluetooth stability may surface in community discussions.
Apple has not issued additional statements on the release.
