AirPods just got a long-requested feature in a new public beta

While it was overshadowed by the public beta of iOS 27, Apple also released a new public firmware for AirPods this week. The update brings a long-requested feature to supported AirPods models: custom EQ.

AirPods public beta details

The AirPods public beta is firmware version 9.0.314 with build number 9A314b. The update is available for the following AirPods models:

You can access the AirPods public beta in the Settings app on your iPhone. Once your AirPods are connected, you’ll see a toggle in the Settings app to enable the beta firmware. After that, the betas will download and install them when your AirPods are in their charging state and within range of your paired iPhone.

1. Open the Settings app
2. Tap Bluetooth
3. Tap the (i) next to your AirPods
4. Scroll down and toggle “AirPods Beta Updates”

Custom EQ is coming to AirPods

Once you’ve installed the public beta of AirPods, you’ll see a long-awaited new feature in the Settings app: custom EQ.

Now you have more control over how your AirPods sound thanks to the new custom EQ controls. In the Settings app, you can adjust the lows, mids, and highs of how your AirPods sound.

“AirPods are designed and built by Apple to faithfully represent music, TV shows and movies, and phone calls,” explains Apple. “If you choose a different sound profile, you can customize the AirPods to represent whatever sound is playing.”

While adjusting custom EQ settings, you can play a song from Apple Music right in the Settings app to hear the changes in real time.

This is by no means the most advanced measurement feature out there. It is a basic, three-band system. Nevertheless, the long-awaited AirPods feature that Apple has finally given users – although most will stick to the default levels.

You can find the new Custom EQ feature in the AirPods section of the Settings app under the “Sound & Channel” menu. The feature is available on all AirPods with the H2 chip, including AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2.

Other features of iOS 27 for AirPods

Here are some new AirPods features for iOS 27:

• Settings for reprogramming the app: In iOS 27, Apple redesigned the AirPods interface in the Settings app. The controls have been reorganized, with separate menus for Hearing Health, Find My, Live Translation, and more.
• Dynamic audio slider: In the Settings app, you now have a slider to fine tune the dynamic sound mode.
• GymKit: While GymKit has been around for years, it’s always required the Apple Watch. As our colleague Zac explains, iOS 27 brings the full GymKit experience to iPhone and AirPods Pro 3.
• Finding Accuracy: You can now use Precision Finding in the Find My app on Apple Watch to find AirPods Pro 3.
• Siri AI: When paired to a compatible iPhone, AirPods can communicate with Siri AI.

Finish it

What new AirPods features are you most excited to try? Are you going to try the new custom EQ feature? Let us know down in the comments.

My favorite iPhone accessories:

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