So, you finally updated your iPhone to the latest iOS beta, and now you're staring at your AirPods Pro wondering if they actually do anything different. It’s a valid question. Apple’s firmware updates are notoriously invisible—there’s no progress bar, no "Update Now" button that actually works when you want it to, and half the time, the best features are buried three menus deep.
Honestly, the AirPods public beta features are kind of a wild west right now. We aren't just talking about "bug fixes and stability improvements." We’re looking at things that fundamentally change how you interact with people and your devices. I’m talking about nodding your head like a bobblehead to answer a call or using your earbuds as a clinical-grade hearing aid. It’s a lot to take in.
The "Bobblehead" Revolution: Siri Interactions
The biggest thing you’ll notice—if you can get the firmware to actually install—is Siri Interactions. It’s pretty simple, actually. If you’re wearing your AirPods Pro 2 or the newer AirPods 4, you don’t have to talk to Siri to dismiss a call anymore.
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You just nod.
Nod "yes" to accept a call or shake your head "no" to decline it. It sounds like a gimmick, but think about it. You’re on a crowded train, or maybe you’re at the library, and Siri announces a call from your mom. You don't want to say "No" out loud and look like a jerk. You just give a subtle little head shake, and the call is gone. It uses the H2 chip’s accelerometers to track that movement with surprising precision. No more talking to yourself in public.
Voice Isolation is No Longer Just for iPhones
We've had Voice Isolation on the iPhone for a bit, where it scrubs out the sound of a vacuum or a leaf blower while you're talking. But now, that processing is happening right on the AirPods Pro 2.
Basically, the H2 chip is doing the heavy lifting to isolate your voice from the chaos around you. I tested this near a construction site recently. Usually, the person on the other end would hear that high-pitched "beep-beep-beep" of a truck reversing. With the AirPods public beta features active, they barely heard a hum. It’s not perfect—sometimes your voice can sound a little "underwater" if the noise is truly deafening—but it’s a massive step up from the standard transparency-heavy call quality we used to have.
The Hearing Health Pivot
This is where things get serious. Apple is turning the AirPods Pro 2 into a regulated hearing aid. It’s a massive deal because traditional hearing aids cost thousands of dollars.
Through the beta, users can access a clinical-grade Hearing Test. It takes about five minutes. You sit in a quiet room, tap the screen when you hear a tone (very much like the booth test at an audiologist), and then it generates a personalized hearing profile.
If the test shows mild to moderate hearing loss, your AirPods can literally act as a hearing aid. They’ll amplify the frequencies you struggle with in real-time. It’s a game-changer for people who aren't quite ready for a "medical device" but struggle to hear conversation in a noisy restaurant.
Important Note: This isn't just a volume booster. It’s sophisticated EQ that adapts to your specific audiogram. If you can hear low tones fine but struggle with high-pitched sounds, the AirPods only boost the high stuff.
Gaming Just Got Less Laggy
Gamers usually hate Bluetooth. The latency—the delay between you pressing a button and hearing the sound—is usually terrible.
Apple claims they've hit the "best wireless audio latency ever" for mobile gaming with this latest beta cycle. They’re also bringing 16-bit, 48kHz audio to in-game chat. If you’ve ever played a competitive shooter and felt like your teammates sounded like they were talking through a tin can, this is the fix. It’s specifically tuned for the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4.
How to Actually Get These Features (The Frustrating Part)
You can’t just go to the App Store. You need to be on the iOS Public Beta first.
Once your iPhone is running the beta software, you have to go into Settings, then your AirPods menu, and scroll all the way down to AirPods Beta Updates. Toggle it on.
Now, here’s the kicker: your AirPods won’t update immediately. There is no "Update" button. You have to put the AirPods in their case, plug the case into power, and leave them near your iPhone. Then you wait. Sometimes it takes twenty minutes. Sometimes it takes two days. It’s infuriating, but that’s the "beta life."
Is It Worth the Bugs?
Look, it's a beta. Things break.
I’ve had instances where my AirPods refused to switch from my Mac back to my iPhone. I’ve had the new "nod to answer" feature trigger because I sneezed. If you rely on your AirPods for 8 hours of back-to-back Zoom calls for work, maybe wait for the official release.
But if you’re a tech nerd who wants to see the future of hearing health and hands-free control, the AirPods public beta features are genuinely impressive. We’re seeing these earbuds evolve from "music players" into "wearable computers."
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to try this out right now, follow these steps to ensure the update actually triggers:
- Check your iPhone version: Make sure you are on at least the iOS 18 or 19 Public Beta (depending on the current year's cycle).
- Enable the toggle: Go to Settings > [Your AirPods Name] > AirPods Beta Updates and turn it on for your specific pair.
- The "Update Ritual": Put your AirPods in the case, connect them to a Lightning or USB-C charger, and keep your iPhone next to them with Wi-Fi on.
- Verify the Build: Check your firmware version in the "About" section of your AirPods settings. Look for build numbers starting with '8' or higher (like 8A356) to confirm you've moved past the standard retail software.
- Test the Hearing Test: If you have the Pro 2, go to the "Hearing Health" section in settings to see if the clinical test is available for your region.