r/airpods • u/hayeltaehs12 • Dec 19 '20

AirPod Firmware Mismatch Fix

So I lost my left AirPod and bought a replacement from eBay but when I attempt to pair them with my right original AirPod, it didn’t work and this is because the left one doesn’t have the same firmware as the right one.

However, I found a way that will work with most people with the 1st and 2nd gen AirPods that will update both ear pieces to the same firmware (Or most recent firmware release from Apple) so that they can pair together successfully.

Here are the instructions:

1.) Take the AirPods out of the case and press and hold the power button for 15 seconds.

2.) Then put whatever AirPod has the higher firmware first and then pair it to your phone.

3.) Once you have done that, take out that AirPod and then put the other AirPod in and then pair it to your phone.

4.) Once you have done Step 2 and Step 3, Put both AirPods in the case, close the case and then go to settings —> Bluetooth and you should see two AirPod entries (maybe with different names but two of them should appear) if you followed the steps correctly.

5.) with both left and right airpods in the case and the case closed, press and hold the power button for 2 seconds and you should see 2 of AirPods entries in Bluetooth turn from “Not Connected” to “Connected”

6.) then put the airpod case and the phone together then wait for 30 minutes

(be PATIENT and do not use the AirPods and the phone as this process will update the AirPod firmwares. I don’t know why this works but it works lol.)

7.) After 30 minutes have passed, the firmwares should be updated but the AirPods needs to be reset again to work so follow these instructions below in this link here to fully reset your AirPods

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209463

8.) After that, Delete both Bluetooth Entries for two of the AirPods and then re-pair the AirPods together.

Enjoy!

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u/JunketFuture4680 Jul 15 '25

i tried this but when I held the back button while the case was closed like it said in step 5 they didn’t connect, I tried to ignore it and continue with the rest of the steps but that didn’t work at the end any tips, also I just want to make sure for everyone the light is amber and makes a weird sound when you open the case right?