AirPods Max (USB-C) owners will have to wait a little longer for their much-anticipated lossless audio update. A software bug has delayed the release of the new firmware, preventing users from enjoying the enhanced audio features.
According to Aaron Peris, build number 7E99 for the AirPods Max is still accessible on Apple’s servers. However, an issue with iOS 18.4, which is required to install the firmware update, is preventing the updates from being applied. The current version remains 7A291.
Apple’s support page now lists build number 7E99 as “coming soon.” The main feature of this update is support for lossless audio, which retains all original data from a source file and ensures highest quality.
Beyond improved audio fidelity, the AirPods Max (USB-C) update promises ultra-low latency support, a crucial feature for applications demanding precise timing, such as live music, online gaming, and broadcasting. Moreover, build 7E99 will enable the new AirPods Max to connect to analog audio sources, addressing a limitation absent in the first-generation AirPods Max with Lightning.
This isn’t Apple’s first recent encounter with software delays. Significant Siri upgrades, initially announced in June, are now expected to arrive later in the year or beyond, as part of the delayed Apple Intelligence rollout.
