Old iPod new iMac

[Bill Gates Jr.]

First let me say that my knowledge of iPods is limited to (only on my Mid 2011 27"iMac) listening to music and it would appear under the soun option thing as iPods. Don't know anything about updating iPods. Didn't know iPods could be updated. My iPods came in a box showing 3 model numbers: A2032 A2031 A1602. While they work fine on my old iMac running High Sierra, I don't know if they'll work on my7 new 24" iMac with the M3 chip running Sonoma.
Do I have to purchasenew iPods or can these be updated and how will I do that?

Pete

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Those model numbers equate to the AirPods 2nd generation which is not an iPod.

So please verify WHAT product you have, before we provide any guidance.

 

[Bill Gates Jr.]

Yes it is an AirPod. Does that mean they are obsolete and I meed to purchase an newer iPod?

Pete

 

[IWT]

Pete,

Yes, AirPods 2nd Generation are things that you put into your ear canals. They are associated with iPhones and you connect the AirPods to your iPhone via Bluetooth. As far as I'm aware, they cannot be used with Macs.

AirPods (2nd generation)

AirPods feature high-quality sound, voice-activated Siri, an available wireless charging case and free personalised engraving.

www.apple.com

(iPods are designed to store music from a Mac computer and can be listened to via wire-attached earphones or if inserted into a socket of a music playing source such as a Bose)

Ian

 

[MacInWin]

As far as I'm aware, they cannot be used with Macs.

They can. They pair with my MBP just fine.

 

[IWT]

One learns every day, Jake, Thank you and apologies to Pete.

Ian

 

[MacInWin]

If you want to update the firmware on the Airpods, you pair them to an iPhone or iPad, then connect the case to a power supply through the Lightning connector and open the top, leaving the Airpods in the case. Over time they will update if an update is available. You can't force it, and how long you wait is variable, but in my experience, they will update overnight, generally.

If you want to see what version they are on now, pair to an iPhone, open Settings, Bluetooth and the Airpods should show as "Connected" with a circle with an "i". Tap that circle and scrol down to the "About" section. You should see Model name, Number, the Serial number of the unit and the firmware Version.

On a Mac running Sonoma, I can find the information by pairing to the Mac, open Settings>Bluetooth and tapping the "i" iin the circle and see the same iinformation.

 

[MacInWin]

One learns every day, Jake, Thank you and apologies to Pete.

Ian

No problem, Ian. Just wanted to clear it up. I have used Airpods with my MBP when my wife wants to listen to somethign else while I stream sports.

 

[Bill Gates Jr.]

Not owning an iPod, I referred to my AirPods as iPods. My mistake. Maybe this thread needs to be moved?
I purchased them so I could use them mainly to listen to music (iTunes) from my computer (mid 2011 iMac)
I'm trying to get them to work with my new computer (24" MP3 iMac). I have a telemedicine appointment Friday (my first) and need to use my AirPods as my hearing is much deteriorated.

 

[Bill Gates Jr.]

OK!! Pairing them with my iPhone made them recognized by my new computer! Or pressing the button on back of AirPods case did it. Either way it works now. Thanks to. all who helped, especially Jake

 

[Bill Gates Jr.]

My AirPod is an A2031.
Version: 4E71. Is this the AirPods version of A2031 or the OS?
Case Version: 1.9.4
Could find no OS in the About section. Just the above.

Pete

 

[MacInWin]

My AirPod is an A2031.
Version: 4E71. Is this the AirPods version of A2031 or the OS?
Case Version: 1.9.4
Could find no OS in the About section. Just the above.

Pete

There is no OS for the Airpods, just firmware. The 4E71 is the firmware version. You can read about Airpods here: About firmware updates for AirPods

There is a link in that article to show how to identify your AirPod version. Based on the A2031, you have 2nd Generation AirPods, from 2019. You have the original firmware, 4E71. For them, the most recent firmware is 6A300, so it may be worth it to let them update. As I said, you cannot "force" an update, but if you connect them to power to charge the case, then pair to an iPhone, then leave them in the case with the top flipped open and near that iPhone, they will most likely update within a few hours. I get my updates generally overnight, although sometimes it takes two nights before they update.

 

[Bill Gates Jr.]

My iPhone shuts off (goes dark) after maybe 5 minutes. How can I keep it from shutting down?

Pete

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Settings->Display & Brightness. Change the Auto-Lock setting. You want the phone to go to sleep reasonably quickly to preserve battery life.

The phone will automatically stay awake depending on what you're doing with it. Watching a video will keep the phone and screen on. Listening to music/podcast/etc., will keep the phone on but the screen off.

 

[MacInWin]

If the concern is that it goes dark when you want the Airpods updated, don't worry about it. As long as the phone is not actually shut down, it's still workiing and communicating, so the Airpods should eventually update.