Apple has released a critical security firmware update for Beats Studio Buds to fix a flaw that allowed attackers to listen in through the microphone. The security advisory also details exactly how the flaw operates.
If you have a pair of Beats Studio Buds that are not yet paired to a phone or computer, and they are actively looking for a new Bluetooth connection, someone within physical range could exploit the system. A nearby attacker could hijack that connection sequence to tap into the device hardware and listen through the built-in microphone.
The vulnerability is formally tracked under the identification number CVE-2025-20701. According to Apple, this is not a unique problem hidden entirely within Apple’s own proprietary code. Instead, the company clarified that the security gap stems from a vulnerability found in widely used open source code, and Apple software happens to be among the many affected projects across the tech industry.
Two security researchers, Dennis Heinze and Frieder Steinmetz from the firm ERNW GmbH, discovered the vulnerability and reported it directly to Apple. The fix has been packaged into Beats Firmware Update 1B211, which was published on June 16, 2026.
The security advisory explains that for customer protection, Apple avoids discussing or confirming safety flaws until an official investigation has wrapped up and specific patches are ready for the public.
Wireless headphones handle updates a bit differently than an iPhone or a Mac. There is no manual “Update Now” button to press. Instead, Apple delivers these firmware updates completely automatically behind the scenes.
The new firmware will download and install itself when your Beats Studio Buds are resting in their charging case, charging, and sitting within standard Bluetooth range of your paired iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
You can easily verify whether your earbuds have received the security patch by opening up your device configuration menus. If you are on an iPhone or an iPad, navigate to the Settings application and select Bluetooth. If the version menu displays 1B211, your earbuds are fully updated and secure against this microphone exploit.
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