'I am extremely angry!' Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) reportedly lost key features after a firmware update, and users aren't OK

Date:
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:10:01 +0000

Description:
Users say a Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen firmware update has removed key features here's what to do if you feel the same

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Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) users say a new firmware update nixes key features No Bluetooth carousel; voice prompts replaced by tones; reduced button utility A Bose subreddit claims Bose is 'listening closely to customer feedback' and there's even a poll to add your name to the complaints list In a move reminiscent of Sonos ' fateful 2024 app update (that is only now close to being fully resolved ) Bose has seemingly rolled out a February firmware update for its Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) that drops
several features users love and they're not happy.

Users across the Bose subreddit community have reported several changes when being pushed into the v8.2.20 update, including: Removal of the shortcut for cycling Bluetooth devices (inability to scroll through your paired devices using the physical buttons) Battery level shortcut and power-on battery announcements gone (voice prompts replaced by 'vague beeps') The Bose app is now the only way to get functions which worked directly on the headphone, prior to updating One Redditor begins their post: "I am extremely angry!" adding, "Have you noticed that your Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 feels 'dumber' after the recent firmware update? You are not alone." Article continues below You may like Motorola's new budget earbuds offer 'Sound by Bose' for less
Bose shows Sonos and Spotify how it's done shutting down servers won't shut down your old SoundTouch speakers The best wireless headphones, chosen by our experts for all budgets

Another comment reads: "What's wrong with Bose!"

The number of comments in the various threads suggests that firstly, it's no isolated issue and secondly that it's not an easy update to avoid, with one user writing: "I was able to postpone my update for only a week! I made a fatal mistake of opening the Bose app and not closing it immediately." Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 firmware update removes key features, and customers aren't happy from r/bose Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): what to do if you're affected (Image credit: Future) As a caveat, I own the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and on the latest v4.9.30 update I'm experiencing none of the issues mentioned, so it seems very much like this is a 2nd Gen Ultra Headphones issue, not an earbuds issue for now, at least.

But Redditors have assembled (as they very often do), and one particularly organized user claims they have been in plenty of contact with Bose, posting: "A firmware rollback unfortunately is not possible, according to Bose
support. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

"Instead, the goal is to push for a future firmware update that restores
these features, allows them to be enabled or disabled as optional settings
and ideally provides the option to disable automatic updates".

So what can you do if you're experiencing similar issues after updating to v8.2.20? Redditor xShadowPro has created a way for you to voice your woes, with a simple poll they plan to forward to Bose to prove the level of
customer dissatisfaction, adding that Bose has encouraged customers to continue to raise a support case if they have not already done so.

Worried it won't do any good? Another Reddit user says they reached out to Bose for comment, and were told that "While there are no plans to restore the previous functionality, we are listening closely to customer feedback."

It's a shame, since I truly believe the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) worthy of their five-star TechRadar review. But when a loyal
fanbase loses trust in the brand they've supported with their hard-earned cash, en masse, that wound cuts deep and tends to heal only very, very slowly The best noise cancelling headphones for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best noise cancelling headphones 1. Best overall: Sony WH-1000XM6 2. Best mid-range: Bose QuietComfort Headphones 3. Best under $100/100: 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 4. Best under $60/50: Soundcore Q30 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-headphones/i-am-extremely-angry-bose- quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-2nd-gen-reportedly-lost-key-features-after-a-fir mware-update-and-users-arent-ok


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