How to update AirPod firmware and connect lost/new AirPods with different firmware versions

Update: Since firmware 6B34 this method works for most people. Coupling with older versions such as 5E135 seem to be problematic.

If you lost your AirPod, and got a new on: Often, the 2 AirPods cannot be connected to your phone immediately and must be coupled first.

In the best case, you put them in the same case, push the button, and voilà.

Often this will not work and you will see orange light blinking. This is because the two AirPods have different firmware versions and must be synchronized first.

This video shows you how.

[JosePacheco-swhc]

I had tried numerous times with Apple support to update the replacement air pod and nothing worked. Tried a bunch of videos and nothing worked. Watched this video, put both air pods in the case for an hour and it worked, thank you!

[RISHAVRAJ-hb]

Hey Man,
I was about to replace my buds as the right and left ones weren't syncing. I went through your video and it worked.

[mildishsadbino]

Thank you best video that helped expect that baby scared the crap out of me

[moonstrke]

Hi, so recently broke my right AirPod, and my friend had a spare, exact model and gen, but not the same version, one is version 6A326 and another 3A283, is this the reason why it isn’t working? But yet my case shows the spare AirPod charging within in but unable to use it. Thank you.

[AllergiesG]

Hi. mine is airpods pro got the orange blinking light how many hours or minutes to work you procedure?

[RedCricket]

I can also confirm this works but for me it took almost 2 hours but it did indeed work

[kitomi]

Hi! i have few questions. Will it work with Airpods Pro? and when its trying to update, should it be connected to phone which is connected to WIFI?

[AliRaza-fdrs]

Thanks for the helpful video mate but in my case, there's a continuous blinking orange light and it shows right airpod from 1st generation and left from 2nd generation. Can it work together?

[StevieWonders]

Leaving them plugged in overnight. I shall come back here tomorrow with an update

[andr]

Hello @Quipment,

I have AirPods 3 with firmware version 5B59 which is too old and skipped multiple firmware updates.
I gave it to Apple service center, they returned telling they could not help.
I’m unable to use AirPods which is not working for the same reason. Ear pods not producing any sound anymore.
Can you please advice the possible ways? AirPods charges itself to 100% without any issues. But unable to use.
Kindly help.

[champagnebusta]

Hey man, I replaced my left side which is the same gen as the right but there just blinking green and when I connect them, only one connects

[sheetalsehgal]

Hi, I lost my right AirPod 3rd gen and I bought a replacement for the same. The Apple Store told me that both these AirPods are of different firmwares hence not connecting. I have tried all luck but cannot connect, it always blinks orange and says mismatched AirPods. Please help

[yashpatel]

Hi actually I am unable to connect two different AirPod with same generation AirPod can you help out?

[juliuslvl]

i have put them by the side of my phone for a whole night while charging now, and nothing. My phone was connected to each airpod individually. Nothing happened. last night it was beside my girlfriends phone which had the whole pair connected (when i tried to connect it, it said "failed, do you want to forget this device?). i had it laying beside her phone all this night. still nothing ... can anyone tell me the exact conditions i need for them to be able to update? do i need the one whith the not updated version so be conneted, or both single airpods? im gettinh desperate

[giorgiofanton]

does this works for the Airpods Pro 2nd generetion too?

[michaelcharlesangelo]

Tried every method shown on the internet including this, not working at all

[tifacola]

how does it get the firmware update with no connection to the network? Is it inside the case?

[benjaminodelcamino]

For me it says mis-match airpods and yes i got a left replacement

[sufuninja]

Why do I have to crowd-source this at all? Apple is charging us tons of money and they still are not willing to give us the info we need in a way that's easily accessible to its customers. 😖

[imranejaafari]

it doesnt work with my first gen airpods pro