Unfortunately: not all AirPods get iOS 26 functions (but these)

With iOS 26, the AirPods get a lot better again, but not all models work with the new functions. These AirPods are all about!

AirPods with iOS 26

With iOS 26, Apple not only brings new functions to the iPhone, but also the AirPods are being improved with the next software version. The ears are expanded with a camera remote control and sleep detection in iOS 26. That’s not all, because the AirPods get support for CarPlay for the first time and can record audio in studio quality from iOS 26.

Unfortunately, this does not apply to all AirPods, because not all models have support for the new functions of iOS 26. For certain features, an H2 chip is required, about which not all AirPods have. Apple has already announced that this processor is needed for three improvements from iOS 26. The H2 chip is a requirement for the camera remote control, audio recordings in studio quality and improved voice insulation.

These AirPods get better

The AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 2 are the only models with an H2 chip. Do you have one of these ears? Then your AirPods get many new functions with iOS 26. After installing iOS 26 you can use the earphones to take photos and videos, the quality of audio recordings is much higher and the voice insulation is greatly improved. In total, the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 2 will receive no fewer than five new functions in iOS 26.

Do you have the first generation AirPods Pro, AirPods 3 (and older) or the AirPods Max? In that case you have to make it without the camera remote control, audio recordings in studio quality and improved voice insulation. These AirPods do get functions with iOS 26, so they can automatically change to CarPlay and they pause the audio automatically when you fall asleep. View here which improvements come to the AirPods with iOS 26:

Release of iOS 26

All AirPods get new functions in iOS 26, although certain improvements remain exclusively for the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 2. It is striking that the second generation AirPods Pro still gets new features, because Apple released the ears in 2022. So after three years the AirPods Pro 2 still gets more and more. For these improvements you do need an iPhone with support for iOS 26, read here which devices are.

Apple traditionally releases the most important software updates of the year in September. That month iOS 26 appears and the AirPods will be expanded with new functions. In addition, iPados 26, Watchos 26, MacOS 26, TVOS 26 and Visionos 26 are rolled out for all users in September. Are your AirPods in need of replacement or do they not work with the new functions? Then view the lowest prices of the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 2 here: