Level 2

465 points

Issues with AirPod Pro 3 setup and hearing test on iOS 18.7

I received mine a few hours ago and I have been using the Pro 2s for over a year now. My ear tip size has gone down from medium to XS (extra small) to get them to fit and they are snug.

They don't seem to play nice with IOS 18.7 as so many of the features seem to be missing and I have no intention of upgrading to IOS 26 until the bugs have been ironed out.

I can't even take a hearing test! I am unable to get passed the "your AirPods pro need to be cleaned to take a hearing test" when setting up the Airpod Pro 3s. They are new for goodness sake! Why would they need cleaning? I've tried this with small and extra small tips and the hearing test app wont; let me go any further. Has anybody come across this problem.

The ear tips are much more difficult to change too and I'm worried about breaking them.

Just testing the sound quality is very good but I have been unable to check and test anything else without doing a system update.

If anybody can answer any of this please let me know.

TIA.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: AirPod Pro 3s

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Posted on Sep 20, 2025 8:54 AM

Top-ranking reply

Avsman21

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Sep 28, 2025 7:59 PM

I had this exact issue after buying the 3’s today. I talked with support in chat and an actual phone call with their final take was that the 3’s require iOS26. The footnotes for the Airpod Pro 3 say the hearing test, hearing aid, and attenuation features will work with iOS18 or later and AirPod Pro2 or later. The AirPods do not show up on the first Settings page as they should, so the only way to get to the hearing test is through the health app. Then the message saying I need to clean my brand new AirPods comes up and cannot be resolved. Frustrating to say the least.

I'm not about to update my 15 pro max to iOS 26 until they hammer the bugs out. Too many horror stories for my liking.

Between the problems with iOS 26 and the clear incompatibility with AirPod Pro 3 and iOS 18.7, Apple seems to be rushing things and releasing product well before they’re ready.

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23 replies

Keek_z34

Level 1

19 points

Oct 5, 2025 8:39 AM in response to SBXS

Apple called me this morning. The issue with the hearing test feature they’re promoting for iOS 18 won’t be fixed on the AirPods Pro 3. The official explanation from the engineers is that iOS 16 is installed.

SBXS

Level 1

55 points

Sep 22, 2025 2:44 AM in response to rasg

I'm having the exact same issues as the original post, running IOS 18.7 on an XS Max. Also cannot get the battery level indicator / pop up to work when opening the Airpods case in proximity of the device. Seems like we have gone backwards. Also for my device there is no option to upgrade the IOS to any thing later (at the time of writing). Please Apple fix asap. Thanks

SBXS

Level 1

55 points

Sep 22, 2025 10:41 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks, however according to the specs posted

6: The Hearing Aid feature has received FDA authorization. The Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features are supported on AirPods Pro 2 and later with the latest firmware paired with a compatible iPhone or iPad with iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 and later and are intended for people 18 years old or older. The Hearing Aid feature is also supported on a compatible Mac with macOS Sequoia and later. It is intended for people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

I read this to say it should work on the latest iOS for the poster's and my device. My iphone XS max does not (currently) allow for an update post 18.7, and the above specifically calls out as being compatible with iOS 18. So I and the original poster seem to be correct in assuming that it should work with iOS 18.

SBXS

Level 1

55 points

Sep 23, 2025 4:46 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant, the specs are for Airpods Pro 3, and the footnote says Airpods Pro 2 or later; which I assume refer to Airpods Pro 3.

Like you I'm not hopeful either, but fingers crossed Apple may provide some updates to the iOS compatible with older devices to at least leverage some of the features present on previous incarnations.

Sep 23, 2025 4:43 PM in response to rasg

Cannot add AirPods Pro 3 to 'Find My' either on IOS 18.7 (Iphone XS). According to Apple's notes this function should also work. I've just spent $429 on some earbuds that do not work as advertised and have less functionality than my 3rd gen AirPods.

Sep 24, 2025 8:26 AM in response to rasg

rasg--

You said on another discussion that you had an iPhone that is much more modern than the iPhone XS.

I recommend you update to iOS 26, which was issued as the LATEST iOS your phone can run, on the same day, 15 September 2025, that the iPods Pro3 were released.

Sep 28, 2025 3:18 PM in response to rasg

I’m having the same

problem. Brand new AirPod pro 3x, iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 18.7 and no hearing aid support and hearing test is telling me to clean them. Again, they are brand new. There’s no way they need cleaning. The only thing they have been through is changing the tips. Otherwise they’ve spent 99% of their life in the case.

They also don’t show up on the first screen in Settings like every video about this feature shows.

I set up my mother-in-law’s AirPod Pro 2’s six months ago (note before iOS 26 was released) and they work fine as hearing aids.

WTFM has anyone found a solution?

rasg Author

Level 2

465 points

Sep 20, 2025 9:30 AM in response to rasg

I should have also pointed out that the AirPod Pro menu that usually appears close to the top of the settings menu doesn’t appear at all when connected to the Pro 3s.

Issues with AirPod Pro 3 setup and hearing test on iOS 18.7