What’s the difference between AirBuddy 2 and AirBuddy 3?
AirBuddy 3 is the recommended version for every compatible Mac. It includes over 150 new features and improvements, including a redesigned Dashboard, the Action HUD, interactive Desktop Widgets, Now Playing controls, and broader automation. AirBuddy 2 remains available primarily for Macs that can’t run macOS 14.
Both versions cover the essentials: device and battery information, supported headset connections, and Magic Handoff. AirBuddy 3 adds the exclusive features and modern Mac experience highlighted below.
On a narrow screen, scroll horizontally to see both versions.
| Area | AirBuddy 2 | AirBuddy 3 Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| System requirements | macOS 10.14.6 or later and a Mac with Bluetooth Low Energy. | macOS 14 or later and a Mac with Bluetooth Low Energy. Device Stats requires macOS 15 or later. |
| License | Requires an AirBuddy 2 license. The license remains valid for AirBuddy 2. | Requires a separate AirBuddy 3 license. Check your AirBuddy 2 license for an available upgrade offer. |
| Liquid Glass | Not available. | Exclusive to AirBuddy 3. On macOS Tahoe, the Dashboard and Action HUD use Liquid Glass, with light, dark, clear, and tinted app icon appearances. |
| Main interface | Uses a menu bar device list, status window, and notification HUD. | Adds a redesigned Dashboard and the exclusive Action HUD, which brings together device status, connections, media controls, Battery Alerts, and other events with per-event controls. |
| Widgets | Provides standard macOS widgets through WidgetKit. | AirBuddy Desktop Widgets are exclusive to AirBuddy 3. Place interactive Batteries, AirPods, and Now Playing widgets freely, build a separate layout for each display, and show them over the screen saver or on the Lock Screen. |
| Now Playing | Not available. | Exclusive to AirBuddy 3. See artwork, playback information, and media controls in the Action HUD, on the desktop and Lock Screen, or in standard macOS widgets. |
| Audio Input Lock | Not available. | Exclusive to AirBuddy 3. Keep the Mac using the audio input you prefer and prevent unexpected switches when AirPods or another device connects. |
| Focus Filters | Not available. | Exclusive to AirBuddy 3. Prevent selected automatic events while a Focus is active, including AirPods status, Now Playing, and Battery Alerts. |
| Automation | Provides global keyboard shortcuts, Shortcuts actions, Connection Modes, and a limited set of AppleScript commands. | Greatly expands Shortcuts, AppleScript, and global keyboard shortcuts to cover Bluetooth devices, display settings, Audio Input Lock, Desktop Widgets, Now Playing, and Magic Handoff. Personal automations in Shortcuts replace Connection Modes. |
| iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch | Shows battery information from trusted devices. Manual pairing in AirBuddy may be needed for troubleshooting. | Uses a new mobile-device engine for battery levels, charging states, and last-updated times. Trusted devices usually appear without separate in-app pairing. |
| Recent AirPods charging cases | Charging-case status requires the earbuds to be inside the case. | Independent case status is exclusive to AirBuddy 3. Supported recent cases can report while the earbuds are out. |
| Magic Handoff | Transfers supported peripherals between Macs running AirBuddy 2. | Uses a faster, more reliable protocol with clearer progress and expanded Shortcuts actions. Every participating Mac must run AirBuddy 3; Magic Handoff isn’t compatible across the two major versions. |
Why choose AirBuddy 3?
Choose AirBuddy 3 if your Mac supports macOS 14 or later. It is the current major release and the only version with Liquid Glass, the Action HUD, AirBuddy Desktop Widgets, Now Playing, Audio Input Lock, Focus Filters, and independent status for supported recent charging cases.
Check your AirBuddy 2 license for an AirBuddy 3 upgrade offer, then see How to upgrade from AirBuddy 2 to AirBuddy 3. You can also review the AirBuddy 3 release notes for more details.
If your Mac can’t run macOS 14, your AirBuddy 2 license remains valid. You can download AirBuddy 2 or recover its license key, and its documentation remains available in the AirBuddy 2 documentation archive.