AirPods Beta Firmware Adds Japanese and Korean Live Translation Support

Latest developer-only beta introduces expanded Live Translation support and streamlined update tools across Apple devices.

What’s New in the Latest AirPods Beta?

Apple has just rolled out new beta firmware for select AirPods models, specifically:

• AirPods Pro 2
• AirPods Pro 3
• AirPods 4

This update is exclusive to developers for now and carries the build number 8B5014c. It’s part of Apple’s broader beta testing ecosystem alongside iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe.

Expanded Live Translation Support

One of the headline features of this beta firmware is enhanced support for Live Translation, a real-time language translation feature introduced in earlier versions of iOS.

Newly supported languages include:

• Japanese
• Korean
• Italian
• Chinese (both Traditional and Simplified Mandarin)

This update makes the Live Translation tool significantly more versatile for global users, particularly when traveling or communicating in multilingual environments.

Easier Beta Installation via Apple Devices

With iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, Apple introduced a more streamlined way to install beta firmware on AirPods. Now, when your AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can:

1. Go to the AirPods settings
2. Enable the “Beta Firmware” option
3. Automatically receive beta firmware updates

This makes beta testing more accessible and integrated, especially for developers working across multiple Apple platforms.

Developer-Only Access for Now

Keep in mind, this firmware is currently limited to registered developers. It’s intended for testing and feedback before a public release, so general users won’t see this update in their settings just yet.

Expect a broader rollout after more stability testing and refinement.