When the AirPods Pro 2 hit the market a few years ago, they came with a noise cancellation upgrade, transparency mode, a six-hour battery life (30 on the case), and rich bass and

AirPods get regular software updates from Apple, but until now, how you ensure your buds are up-to-date has been a puzzle. Now, we know how to do it right.

Apple today released new beta firmware updates for both AirPods 4 models and the AirPods Pro 2 with both Lightning and USB-C charging cases.

The H2 chip at the heart of these earbuds delivers twice the active noise cancellation power of the original AirPods Pro, making them significantly better at blocking out unwanted background noise. Whether you’re trying to focus in a busy office or find some peace during your commute, the difference is noticeable.

An Apple AirPods Pro 2 upgrade is the capability to use the earbuds as hearing aid. Changes in U.K. regulations mean Apple will upgrade the software imminently.

Rather than leave it up to chance, you can take steps to update your specific AirPods model to the latest software version.

After years of users guessing how to update AirPods firmware, Apple finally explained the official steps to get the latest version.

Apple's AirPods 4 earbuds normally retail for $129.99. As of Jan. 29, they're on sale for $119.99 at Best Buy.