AirPods Max 2 Enters Beta Testing With iOS 27, Custom EQ Coming

Apple’s AirPods Max 2 has joined the beta firmware program for the first time, receiving build 9.0.304 (9A5304b) alongside several other supported models. The release follows iOS 27 beta 2 and macOS 27 beta 2 by a short margin, continuing Apple’s pattern of pairing AirPods firmware betas with major OS beta cycles.

Every model in the current lineup with active software support is included. The beta covers AirPods Max 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C, AirPods 4, and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, all receiving the same version number. Apple had previously confirmed AirPods Max 2 would gain beta firmware access, so this delivery is expected rather than surprising.

Upcoming Features in the Pipeline

The firmware beta arrives alongside Apple’s announcement of features like Custom EQ and Apple GymKit syncing coming to AirPods through future updates. Neither feature is confirmed to be live in this specific build, but developers can begin testing audio behavior ahead of the public rollout. That kind of early access matters more for Pro and Max hardware, where firmware changes can affect noise cancellation tuning and spatial audio behavior in ways that aren’t always predictable.

Apple’s approach to AirPods firmware updates has historically been opaque. Version increments ship silently with no change logs, leaving users to notice differences rather than read about them. The beta program at least gives developers a formal channel to catch regressions before firmware reaches the broader public.

To receive the beta, users need a device running iOS 27 beta or macOS 27 beta. From there, the option sits inside Bluetooth settings next to the connected AirPods, and once enabled, updates install automatically when the headphones are in their case near a paired device. The process is quiet by design, which fits Apple’s longstanding preference for handling device updates without requiring user attention.