iOS 27 Beta 2 AirPods Firmware: Custom EQ, GymKit, and Everything New in Build 9A292e

When Apple released the first iOS 27 developer beta on June 9, 2026, it arrived alongside a new AirPods beta firmware and a notable exclusion: AirPods Max 2 owners could not join the beta program. Two weeks later, with the release of iOS 27 beta 2 on June 22, that gap was closed. Here is exactly what changed, what you get, and how to install it.

Build 9A292e: The Firmware Released Alongside iOS 27 Beta 2

On June 22, 2026, Apple released AirPods beta firmware build 9A292e alongside iOS 27 beta 2 (build 24A5370h) . The headline change: AirPods Max 2 can now enroll in the firmware beta program, resolving a known issue from beta 1 . Apple's official release notes for iOS 27 beta 1 stated: "You cannot update AirPods Max 2 firmware beta in iOS 27 Beta 1 and macOS 27 Beta 1. AirPods Max 2 firmware beta updates are supported in iOS 27 Beta 2 and macOS 27 Beta 2" . With beta 2, those owners can toggle on the AirPods Beta Updates setting in their headphones' Bluetooth settings and install beta firmware .

The Models Initially Left Out

The first AirPods developer beta firmware (build 9A5292e), released on June 9, 2026, was available for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 . AirPods Max 2 were explicitly excluded from that first wave . Apple acknowledged the omission in the beta 1 release notes and promised a fix with beta 2 . That fix arrived on schedule with the June 22 release.

What the New Firmware Unlocks

The firmware enables several major features announced at WWDC 2026 for iOS 27. These features require the beta firmware and the corresponding iOS 27 beta on your paired iPhone .

Custom EQ

Apple's AirPods have relied on Adaptive EQ—automatic tuning with no user controls—since the original AirPods Pro. iOS 27 introduces the first user-adjustable equalizer for AirPods, ending a long-standing feature request . Users can set custom sound profiles for low, mid, and high frequencies via Settings → Audio & Routing → Equalizer → Custom . The Custom EQ is available on AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 2, and AirPods 4—models built on Apple's H2 audio chip .

GymKit Heart Rate Synchronization (AirPods Pro 3)

With the expanded Apple GymKit functionality, AirPods Pro 3 can sync heart rate data through the iPhone during workouts without requiring an Apple Watch . This means users can pair gym equipment directly with their AirPods and iPhone to track heart rate during exercise, leveraging the AirPods Pro 3's onboard heart rate sensor .

Siri AI Compatibility

The firmware works with the new conversational Siri AI assistant announced at WWDC 2026 . Siri AI supports open-ended questions, brainstorming, and natural back-and-forth conversations across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro . The AirPods firmware ensures that voice interactions initiated on AirPods can access the full capabilities of the new Siri AI .

How to Install: No Mac Required

Apple has significantly streamlined the AirPods beta enrollment process. Starting with iOS 26, users no longer need a Mac running Xcode to enroll their AirPods in the beta program . The process is now entirely on-device:

1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone.
2. Open Settings.
3. Tap the name of your AirPods (located below your Apple account name at the top of Settings).
4. Scroll to the bottom and tap AirPods Beta Updates.
5. Toggle on the beta update option.

The latest beta firmware will then automatically download and install when your AirPods are placed in their charging case, which must be plugged into power, and your iPhone is nearby and connected to Wi-Fi . The same simplified process is available on iPad and Mac running the respective beta operating systems .

This streamlined enrollment, introduced with iOS 26, is carried forward into iOS 27, making beta testing far more accessible than in previous years when it required connecting an iPhone to a Mac, installing Xcode, and enabling Developer Mode .