Apple Releases AirPods Beta Firmware 8B5014c with Expanded Live Translation Support

Apple Releases AirPods Beta Firmware 8B5014c with Expanded Live Translation Support

Apple has released a new beta firmware build 8B5014c for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4, available to members of the Apple Developer Program.

The beta firmware allows developers to test new AirPods features on devices running iOS 26 or macOS 26 betas. It also enables debugging and log collection to help Apple identify and resolve potential issues before public release.

While Apple hasn’t shared detailed release notes, the firmware likely includes support for new Live Translation languages coming with iOS 26.1.

What’s New: Expanded Live Translation Support

Apple’s Live Translation feature on AirPods was introduced earlier this year and allows users to hear real-time translations through their earphones when paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone.

With iOS 26.1, Apple is expanding language support beyond the initial set (English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish) to include:

  • Chinese (Mandarin, Simplified)

  • Chinese (Mandarin, Traditional)

  • Italian

  • Japanese

  • Korean

These new additions make the feature significantly more useful for travelers, students, and professionals working across different regions and languages.

Supported Devices

The AirPods Beta Firmware 8B5014c is currently available for the following models:

  • AirPods Pro 3 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C)

  • AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C)

  • AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning)

  • AirPods 4

  • AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Important Note Before Installing

Apple reminds users that once installed, beta firmware cannot be removed. Your AirPods will continue to run this beta version until Apple releases a new public firmware update.

If you’ve enabled beta updates, your AirPods will automatically receive any subsequent beta builds.

Prerequisites

To install the AirPods beta firmware, you’ll need a device running:

  • iOS 26 beta or later, or

  • macOS 26 beta or later

You must also be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program.

How to Enroll and Install AirPods Beta Firmware

On iPhone or iPad (iOS 26 beta or later):

  1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad.

  2. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.

  3. Tap the (i) next to your AirPods name.

  4. Scroll down to AirPods Beta Updates.

  5. Toggle on Enable Beta Software Updates.

On Mac (macOS 26 beta or later):

  1. Connect your AirPods through System Settings → Bluetooth.

  2. Select the (i) next to your AirPods name.

  3. Scroll down to AirPods Beta Updates.

  4. Toggle on Enable Beta Software Updates.

(Note: Mac support for beta firmware toggling is coming soon.)

How to Provide Feedback

Apple encourages developers to enable optional logging to help improve firmware stability and performance.

Enable AirPods Logging on iPhone or iPad:

  1. Connect your AirPods to your iOS device.

  2. Go to Settings → Bluetooth → (i) next to your AirPods.

  3. Scroll down to AirPods Beta Updates.

  4. Toggle on AirPods Analytics Data.

Enable AirPods Logging on Mac:

  1. Connect your AirPods through System Settings → Bluetooth.

  2. Select the (i) next to your AirPods.

  3. Under AirPods Beta Updates, toggle on AirPods Analytics Data.

Once enabled, logging will remain active for 96 hours (4 days) and then automatically disable itself.

Where to Get AirPods

If you don’t yet own a compatible model, the latest AirPods lineup is available now:

  • AirPods Pro 3 – $249

  • AirPods Pro 2 – $169.99 (Save $79.01)

  • AirPods 4 (with ANC) – $118.98 (Save $60.02)

  • AirPods 4 – $89 (Save $40)

Final Thoughts

This beta firmware marks another step in Apple’s ongoing effort to make AirPods smarter, more capable, and deeply integrated with the Apple Intelligence ecosystem.

By testing features like expanded Live Translation early, developers can help refine one of Apple’s most ambitious cross-language communication tools before it rolls out to all users in iOS 26.1.

For now, the AirPods 8B5014c beta is a preview of how Apple’s wearable audio devices are steadily evolving — from simple earbuds into intelligent, multilingual assistants.

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