AirPods are set to get a significant upgrade as Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 roll-out will introduce new features. The changes aim to improve how users monitor battery levels and receive charging alerts. This is a rare update to the AirPods charging case, prompting many questions from users.
Here’s what AirPods new features will be with iOS update
Apple is preparing to introduce a range of AirPods improvements with the roll-out of iOS 26. This includes the rare change to the way the charging case communicates battery information. While the update will bring several headline features to the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, it reportedly also alters the case’s indicator light system.
In iOS 26, AirPods will now provide battery status alerts that notify users when it is time to charge and when the battery has reached full capacity. These alerts function independently from the existing Dynamic Island battery visuals, appearing as direct notifications.
The more notable adjustment was first spotted in the fifth developer beta of iOS 26. This happened when X (formerly Twitter) user Minimal Nerd shared a screenshot. It shows a new pop-up describing the charging case’s light indicators. The image revealed that the system now recognises three distinct colours for battery status: green for fully charged, yellow for charging, and orange for indicating the case itself requires charging.
This is significantly different from Apple’s current guidance, which only identifies green and amber lights. As of now, Apple has yet to confirm the update publicly. However, it would mark the first time the charging case light could distinguish between the process of charging and the need to charge.
If implemented in the final release, the new indicator system is expected to be available for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4. It is not yet known whether earlier models or the USB-C version of AirPods Max will receive the update.
iOS 26 will be available in September, along with the launch of iPhone 17.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on Mandatory.