Apple’s iOS 26 introduces new functionalities for AirPods, including the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, alongside an update to the AirPods charging case’s operational display. This involves new charging notifications for battery status, akin to the Dynamic Island indicators, delivered in a standard notification format.
The charging case itself will feature an expanded lighting system. A screenshot from iOS 26 beta 5, shared by Minimal Nerd on X, reveals a new popup detailing three distinct indicator light colors for charging status. Green signifies “Charged,” yellow indicates “Charging,” and orange denotes “Charge Case.”
This is new in Beta 5 right ?! I’ve never seen it before. pic.twitter.com/GC8BP7nTmP
— Minimal Nerd (@minimalnerd1) August 6, 2025
The visual distinction between yellow and orange may be subtle, potentially posing a challenge for user differentiation. Apple’s current support documentation for AirPods charging cases presently lists only green and amber as indicator colors.
The text on the iOS 26 beta 5 screenshot states, “The AirPods charging case now more clearly indicates charging status and AirPods will remind you when it’s time to charge.” This suggests the implementation of the new color system. Juli Clover of MacRumors corroborated this information, noting that code embedded within iOS 26 contains identical wording regarding the charging case’s enhanced clarity in indicating its status.
