AirPods 6.1 (6B32) Issues, Fixes & Improvements (AP Pro 2)

AirPods 6.1 firmware 6B32

AirPods 6.1 Improvements

Apple doesn’t detail the enhancements included in this update. Below you can find a list of changes reported by users:

• 1. Active Noise Cancellation feature more stronger than in the previous versions.
• 2. Spatial Audio improved compared to the previous release according to this user. Do you agree?
• 3. Max Volume lower in this version. Users report 90-95 DB compared to peaks of 100 DB in 6A305.
• 4. To be updated! (Contribute in the comments!)

AirPods 6.1 Issues

New and ongoing problems reported by users are tracked here:

• 1. Active Noise Cancellation not working properly according to some users, while others report improvements.
• 2. Bass is worse according to some users. Are you experiencing the same?
• 3. AirPods not connecting to Windows PC after this update for ardekris.
• 4. Sound quality worse overall after update according to this thread.
  Fact: The culprit seems to be iOS 17.1.1. Users that have updated to iOS 17.2 beta confirm the fix.
• 5. To be updated! (Contribute in the comments!)

AirPods 6.1 Bug Fixes

The release notes mention ‘bug fixes and other improvements’ without any other details!

Fixes reported by users are listed here:

• 1. Volume control issue when switching between iPhone and Mac has been fixed.
• 2. Audio drift issue that caused audio balance to shift randomly from left to right when ANC is enabled seems to be fixed, according to this Reddit user.
• 3. To be updated! (Contribute in the comments!)

AirPods 6B32 Update

Apple’s support document informs that this release is only available for the AirPods Pro 2 models with Lightning and USB-C MagSafe cases.

AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, AirPods 3 and 2 are remain on 6A300, while the AirPods 1 on 6.8.8.

How To Force AirPods 6.1 Firmware Update

These releases are installed automatically. However, you can trigger the update right now by following these steps:

• 1. Connect AirPods to charger and allow them to juice up to 100%.
  Important: Both AirPods and case have to be fully charged!
• 2. Connect AirPods to iPhone, by opening the lid of the case.
• 3. Keep the lid open for a few minutes. Check Version number in Settings -> AirPods Name -> Version (Under About). Are you seeing 6B32?

Have your AirPods updated to firmware 6.1? Do you encounter any issues? What about bug fixes and other changes? Use the comments!

Related: Seeing AirPods Pro 2 Accessory_Model_Name in Settings instead of the actual Model Name? This is the fix!