How to Update Apple’s Studio Display with Latest Firmware

Apple recently launched Apple Studio Display which is a 27-inch display with support for 5K resolution. It is powered by the company’s own A13 processor which is also found in the Apple iPhone 11 series smartphones. It’s also running the full version of iOS to power the audio output and process the webcam.

Unlike any other monitor that doesn’t get firmware updates, the Apple Studio Display does get updates. Recently, the company has released a new update that not only adds new features but also fixes bugs. In the coming month, the company is said to release another update that will fix the issue related to the quality of the webcam.

If you’re not sure how to download and install software updates on Apple Display Studio, follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to update to the latest firmware.

How to update Studio Display firmware to the latest version?

To update the Studio Display firmware, you need to use macOS 12.3 and later. You cannot update Studio Display through Windows.

1. Open the Apple menu from the top menu and go to System Preferences.
2. In the system settings window, click the “Software Update” button.
3. Click the Update Now button to start downloading the update. If you don’t have this button, your monitor is running the latest available software. 
4. When the download is complete, a notification will appear in the upper right corner informing you that the firmware is ready to be installed.
5. Click Restart on the notification (or choose the same option from the Apple menu) to begin installing the update. 

Please note: Don’t turn off the display while updating it, otherwise you may interrupt the update, causing it to malfunction and you will need to take it to a service center.

Apple says that while updating Studio Display, you may see an ellipsis icon and a message asking you not to turn off the display or a blank screen.

How to check the firmware version?

To see the current version of Studio Display software, you need to connect the monitor to your Mac and, then on macOS, open the Graphics/Monitors section from the System Information app.

1. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then choose About This Mac.
2. In the About This Mac window, click the System Report button.
3. In the System Report window, on the left side, click Graphics/Monitors.
4. The monitor firmware version will be next to the “System firmware version” item.

At the time of this writing, the latest firmware version is 15.4.

How to find out what’s new in Apple Studio’s Display Update?

From the Software Update section on Mac, you can also see the list of changes to the Studio Display firmware. If the latest firmware is already installed, the changes can be viewed on the Apple website in a special section.

Here is the changelog of the latest Studio Display 15.4 firmware available:

• Added support for Boot Camp on Macs with an Intel processor.
• Minor stability improvements

To use Studio Display with a Mac, you need macOS Monterey 12.3 or later.

Does the Center Stage feature work on Studio Display on Windows?

Studio Display isn’t just a 27″ 5K monitor for work. Thanks to the built-in A13 Bionic chip from the iPhone 11 (which runs the full iOS 15.4 operating system ), cool features are available in the monitor that are not available on other Apple monitors:

1. Hey Siri: Studio Display supports the “Hey Siri” feature. The monitor’s three microphone system uses directional beamforming to focus on your voice. The monitor will also let you turn on Hey Siri on Macs that don’t support it.
2. Central Stage: The monitor has a built-in 12-megapixel camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens, which is used for the Center Stage feature, which was previously only on the iPad. Artificial intelligence analyzes the video stream in real-time, scaling the picture so that you always stay in the center of the frame, even when moving.
3. True Tone: Using ambient light sensors, True Tone provides a more natural image by automatically adjusting the display’s color temperature to match the ambient light.
4. Spatial Audio: When playing multi-channel audio through the monitor, Apple’s computational algorithm running on the A13 Bionic reproduces spatial audio using the built-in six-speaker sound system.

Unfortunately, you cannot use the Hey Siri, Center Stage, True Tone or Spatial Audio features when connected to a Windows PC. It doesn’t matter if Studio Display is connected directly to your Windows PC or you use it on a Mac while working with Windows through Boot Camp – these smart features require macOS to work.

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