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

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.

I bit my lip and updated my iPhone 13 max to the iOS 26. It fixed all the hearing aid problems. I had the same exact experience you did (including “clean the brand new hearing aids” in Health app), for two weeks. But it works. My 13 doesn’t seem to mind the ios26. My apps work. Battery in iPhone seems normal. Clunky for my taste but guess I’ll get used to it.

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

<< 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. >>

iOS 26 or MacOS 26 is clearly REQUIRED.

System Requirements

• iPhone models with the latest version of iOS
• iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS
• Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS
• Mac models with the latest version of macOS
• Apple TV models with the latest version of tvOS
• Apple Vision Pro with the latest version of visionOS
• AirPods can be used as wireless Bluetooth headphones with Apple devices using earlier software and with non‑Apple devices, but functionality may be limited.

AirPods Pro 3 - Tech Specs - Apple Support

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.

footnote 6 refers explicitly to AirPods 2.

You said you were trying to get AirPods 3 to work.

I recommend you contact Apple Support to adjudicate. Personally, I am Not hopeful that you will get the answers you want.

Support

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.

<< 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. >>

Readers here do not know the answer to that.

And Apple thinks its software is Bug-FREE, unless you let them know you think it is not, and provide a procedure and equipment-list to replicate the problem in their labs.

if you do not have the time to pursue this with Apple support, you can post an informal Bug Report on the Product Feedback pages, by selecting Bug Report as the type of feedback:

Product Feedback - Apple

Yep this is not acceptable Apple. These cost $429 in Australia and I do not have the clearly advertised functionality on my IPhone XS running IOS 18.7. In fact I have less functionality than my 3rd gen airpods. Under Australian Consumer Law I could return them for a refund, but it would be much better for everyone if you just fix the firmware or fix IOS 18.7.

Pretty disappointed the heart rate function requires IOS26 too. Can't help but think there is no technical reason for that, it's just a ploy to extort more money by forcing people to buy a new phone.

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.

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.