Feature Request / Research: AirPods Firmware Updates via Android (UARP)

[CYACRAG]

Scope

Android

Problem or use case

First of all, thank you for LibrePods. It is currently one of the best ways to use AirPods on Android.
I would like to propose a research effort regarding AirPods firmware updates from Android devices.
Background
Apple currently distributes AirPods firmware updates only through Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac). As a result, Android-only users often have no practical way to update their AirPods firmware.
While investigating this topic, I found an official firmware package for AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning):
Firmware Version: 8B39
Device Identifier: A2618
Bundle Identifier: com.apple.MobileAsset.UARP.A2618
Website to download:

https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/OTA_Updates/AirPods_(2nd_generation)

5176e6ec8ab7860869bece22f5c35308129eed87.zip

The package contains:
BuildManifest.plist
Restore.plist
Info.plist
firmware.uarp
This suggests that Apple distributes AirPods firmware through UARP (User Accessible Request Protocol).

Proposed solution

Potential Feature Roadmap
Phase 1 – Firmware Awareness
Detect current AirPods firmware version
Check whether a newer firmware version exists
Notify users when an update is available
Display firmware release information
Phase 2 – Firmware Research
Investigate the UARP update process
Understand firmware package structure
Determine whether firmware transfer requires an Apple device or only a transport mechanism
Document authentication and signature validation requirements
Phase 3 – Android-Based Updates (if technically feasible)
Download official firmware packages
Transfer firmware through Android
Let AirPods perform their own signature verification
Provide a safe update workflow

Alternatives considered

Questions
Has the LibrePods team already investigated UARP or the AirPods firmware update process?
Would firmware version checking and update notifications be considered in scope for LibrePods?
Even if direct firmware installation is not currently feasible, update detection alone would already be very useful for Android-only users.
I would be happy to help with testing and documentation if there is interest in exploring this area.

[kavishdevar]

I don't really want to implement updates, it's too risky. At least on Android. Someone in the Hack Club community has bricked their AirPods while trying to update from a non-Apple device and Apple couldn't fix it. The fact that Apple doesn't have any recovery tools or something scares me. However notifying users of new updates should be possible.

[CYACRAG]

Sure, that was my concern as well.

I’ll probably pick up a cheap used pair of AirPods Pro 1 for testing, preferably a set with known ANC issues so I’m not risking my own AirPods.

My plan is to reverse-engineer the update process, document everything I find, and see whether there is any safe and reliable way to handle firmware updates from Android.

If I discover something promising, I’ll let you know. At that point you can decide whether it would be appropriate for LibrePods or whether a pull request would make sense.