Some AirPods Max owners have experienced a strange battery drain problem affecting the headphones even when they are not in use. However, there may be a simple solution.
According to numerous social media and forum posts, the AirPods Max can run out of battery quickly and completely discharge in just a few hours, even when sitting in their smart case (which should put them in ultra-low-power mode). Some owners say their headphones went from a full battery to just 1% overnight.
Apple has not yet commented on the issue and there are no official workarounds, but there is a possible solution: Apple just released new AirPods max firmware, version 3C39. Apple doesn’t provide patch notes for AirPods updates like it does for iOS and macOS. Hence, we have no idea what this new firmware will change. Hopefully a solution to the battery drain problem is included. We will know for sure again that users install the 3C39 firmware.
Unfortunately, it’s slowly rolling out so it may be a while before we know. While we can’t confirm that version 3C39 will fix the battery life on the AirPods Max, it’s still a good idea to install the update as soon as possible.
How to update your AirPods max
AirPods firmware updates are installed automatically while the headphones are connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth and are charging. The whole process is indirect; If a patch is available, it will be downloaded and installed in the background. This makes system maintenance easier and means you may have already installed the patch. However, you need to browse your iPhone’s settings to confirm the firmware version of your AirPods Max.
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How to check:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap “Bluetooth.”
- Make sure your AirPods Max headphones are turned on and listed in the Connected Devices column. If not, pair them with your iPhone before proceeding.
- Tap the info icon next to your AirPods Max.
- Check the number listed below “Firmware version.”
If your AirPods Max lists version 3C39 (or later), you have the latest firmware. The previous version number is 3C16. So if you see this, you need to update your firmware. However, as mentioned earlier, you cannot perform this update manually.
Note that the installation of the firmware update can take up to 30 minutes. Let your AirPods Max hang on the charger for half an hour, then check again. If the firmware is still the older version, you can try to force the update:
- Go to on your iPhone Settings> Bluetooth.
- In the Connected Devices list, tap the info icon next to your AirPods Max.
- Tap “Forget this device.”
- Plug your Airpods Max into the charger.
- Go back to on your iPhone Settings> Bluetooth.
- Find your AirPods under Other Devices. List. Tap here to pair the headphones with your iPhone.
- Wait 30 minutes and then check the firmware version again.
This is not a guaranteed workaround, but it is worth trying. If you try to force the update but still don’t see it installed, the new firmware may not be ready for your device yet. Wait a while and then try again. It should show up in the next few days.
[9to5Mac]
