(Credit: Apple)
Last week, Apple announced that its AirPods Max (USB-C) would get lossless audio and ultra-low latency with iOS 18.4. However, due to a bug, users weren't able to install it.
The issue is now resolved, and Apple has released firmware version 7E101, as spotted by YouTuber Aaron Zollo. To download it, users will have to update their Apple device to the latest software version and then plug their AirPods Max to charge while keeping them connected via Bluetooth. It might take up to 30 minutes, but after that, users should connect their headphones to an Apple device once again to confirm its firmware version.
Lossless audio compresses songs without sacrificing anything from the original recording. On USB-C AirPods Max, users get 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio. Apple says it allows "listeners to experience music the way the artist created it in the studio." With Apple Music, subscribers can access more than 100 million songs in lossless format.
The update also allows musicians to create and mix songs in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking.
Unfortunately, lossless audio and ultra-low latency are unavailable for AirPods Max with a Lightning port. The features work only when the headphones are connected using a USB-C-to-USB-C or a USB-C-to-3.5mm audio cable. Apple sells a USB-C-to-3.55mm cable for $39.