Let’s face it, the Apple AirPods can break or get lost easily. The tiny earbuds can fall out of your ears, and if you drop a bud down a drain hole, you have to replace the set. Luckily, you can replace AirPods fairly easily, at varying prices. Here’s how to replace your AirPods in the event you misplace or break one (or both). Show
Editor’s note: this article was updated on December 5, 2022, to add an FAQ section. How do you return broken AirPods for a replacement?When you bring your broken AirPods to Apple, you need to make sure you have either your original proof of purchase or the original box it came in, as well as the AirPods (including its charging case). You have the option of bringing it to an Apple Store or authorized service provider. Alternatively, you can mail the AirPods in via a prepaid shipping box from Apple. Apple will repair or replace AirPods that have a manufacturing defect for free within the one-year warranty, or for $29 USD for accidental damage if you bought AppleCare+. Keep in mind AppleCare+ only offers this more affordable repair or replacement option once per year within the two years an AppleCare+ warranty runs. Prices for repair or replacement may vary with other authorized service providers. What if you don’t have AppleCare+? This thing can be pricey to replace. If you’re not covered by AppleCare+, the cost of replacement or repair is steeper. Out-of-warranty AirPods cost $69 USD to replace each earbud, the wireless charging case, or the MagSafe charging case, while the wired charging case is $59 USD. Out of warranty, it costs $89 USD to replace the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) or the case. The AirPods Max replacement fee depends on the repair, so you have to get that pricing information from a service representative. Apple launched a self-service repair initiative, which will allow you to buy and easily replace parts for various devices making them more sustainable. However, this does not currently include any model of AirPods, which unfortunately makes sense. The earbuds are notoriously hard to repair—iFixit even considers every model of AirPods unfixable. What if you lost your AirPods?Lost or stolen AirPods are not covered under warranty or AppleCare+. AirPods costs $69 USD each to replace, the charging case costs $59 USD, and the wireless or MagSafe charging cases cost $79 USD. AirPods Pro costs $89 USD each to replace, while the charging case is $99 USD. However, before you go paying this much for a replacement, make sure to check Find My to see if it’s just wedged into your couch or on the sidewalk outside your house. How do you set up replacement AirPods?To set up your new replacement AirPods, follow these steps:
Whether you dropped your AirPods into a deep ravine or ran over it with a bike, you can still always get a replacement. The tiny thing might fall out of your ear, but it won’t fall out of your control. Frequently asked questions about replacing AirPodsWill I be covered by AppleCare+ if both my AirPods and the case were damaged in an accident? Accidental damage is covered by AppleCare+, so the cost of replacing the earbuds and case will be a lot lower than if you aren’t covered or out of warranty. Discover all the ways you can get your AirPods, AirPods Pro, or charging case replaced—including free, discounted, and regular options! Nobody wants to buy an entirely new pair of AirPods if they’ve lost just one earbud. Unfortunately, navigating Apple’s replacement and repair policy can be challenging, especially with all the different plans and prices for all the various AirPods models, including varying levels of AppleCare. To help you choose a replacement/repair plan for your specific situation, we’ve compiled all the necessary information into this article. Read on to find out everything you need to know to replace your AirPods or charging case – including unconventional ones! In This Article
Replacing Damaged vs. Lost AirPods: Is There a Difference?Before you ask yourself, “Does Apple replace AirPods?” you need to first know when a replacement is possible and when it is not. And a lot of it boils down to – whether you’re seeking to replace damaged or lost AirPods. For instance, if you lose your AirPods, neither the warranty nor AppleCare+ will cover the replacement. So, you’ll basically need to buy a new pair, a single AirPod, or a charging case. You will find the prices for these replacements later in the article. On the other hand, if you have accidentally damaged your AirPods, you will still need to pay an out-of-warranty fee for their repair or replacement. However, this fee will be much lower if you have AppleCare+. For example, with AppleCare+, you will only pay an excess fee per incident of around $29 when replacing damaged AirPods, instead of to up to $100 without AppleCare+. If your AirPods need servicing for a manufacturing defect and not for any physical damage, there is no fee, so long as Apple’s One-Year Limited Warranty covers the issue. Before paying for repairs, you should check the details of your warranty and see if you might be able to get a replacement for free! The good news is: AirPods service should take less than a week for either option, so you should have your AirPods back in your ears within seven days! Plus, if you’re replacing your AirPods case, you can still use your AirPods even without the case (as long as they have a charge) so the wait wouldn’t be too unbearable. How to Replace Lost AirPods or AirPods CaseLosing your AirPods or AirPods Pro can be incredibly frustrating, especially as Apple doesn’t cover the cost. However, you should ensure you’ve covered all your bases before looking for a replacement. There are several different ways you could look for your AirPods or case, so before you start looking into buying new ones, you should confirm that they’re indeed lost. Unfortunately, if you’ve truly lost your AirPods or charging case, you might not always be able to track and recover them. Blacklisting your AirPods so whoever has them will not be able to use is also impossible. In this case, your only option would be to buy a replacement. Fortunately, you don’t need to buy a new pair of AirPods just because one has gone missing! The cost for each component is as follows: To purchase the replacements, you should:
If you choose to chat, you will have no communication issues regarding things like serial numbers and addresses. Still, it can be slower as you need to type out everything you wish to communicate. If you choose to call, you will benefit from faster communication, but are more likely to encounter issues with clarity and conciseness with this approach. How to Replace Damaged AirPods or CaseIf your AirPods or case have been damaged, and they happen to be covered by the warranty, you might actually be able to get the damaged product repaired or replaced for free! Before heading out to replace them, make sure you try fixing them yourself. There are several different reasons why your AirPods might malfunction, including water damage. So, before paying for service, it would be a good idea to check if they actually need it. Unfortunately, if your problem isn’t covered by a warranty—such as if it’s caused by user negligence—you’ll have to pay a replacement fee. This fee varies depending on the cover you have for your AirPods. If you pay for AppleCare+, the replacement fee will be $29 per incident, no matter what you need to replace. If you do not, then the costs are as follows: To learn whether you might be entitled to a free replacement, we explain the details of the warranty and consumer law later in the article. If, however, you’re not eligible for free repairs or replacements, here is how to purchase a replacement AirPod or case:
If you succeed in setting up an appointment with an Apple Authorized store, you will need to physically bring your AirPods in, allowing you to talk with a technician face-to-face to explain your problem. It will also be faster, as there is no need to account for postage. For the in-person replacement alternative, you’ll need your serial number, which you can find on the underside of the lid of your charging case (for AirPods and AirPods Pro). For AirPods Max, simply detach the left magnetic ear cushion to locate the serial number. Alternatively, if you choose to chat with a representative, you can send your AirPods in by post. This is more convenient but will also be slower. You also run the usual risks associated with the postal service, including theft and damage. Can You Get an AirPod Replacement for Free?Yes, there are some circumstances in which you can get a replacement entirely for free. However, this only occurs when the damage to the AirPods is the manufacturer’s fault and not yours. A common misconception about AppleCare+ is that it will completely cover all the costs for replacing and repairing AirPods. Actually, what AppleCare+ does is cover a portion of the cost, so you must still pay a small fee for damage done to your AirPods. When getting replacements, AppleCare+ will also extend your warranty on the AirPods past the one-year limit that comes as standard with all Apple products.This means the insurance will cover damage and defects from the manufacturing process for longer. So how can you get a replacement for free? There are two scenarios in which this ideal situation is possible. AirPods Pro Replacement ProgramAt the end of October 2020, Apple admitted that a ‘small percentage’ of their new AirPods Pro had sound issues resulting from the manufacturing process. Consequently, Apple issued a Service Program, also known as a recall, for the AirPods affected. This option will only be available if you have AirPods Pro manufactured before October 2020. Also, keep in mind that this replacement program does not cover the charging case. Though it was initially planned for only two years, in 2021, Apple extended the program for another year. You may be eligible for a free service or replacement if you have AirPods Pro manufactured before October 2020 and have experienced:
To access this service, you should ‘Contact Apple Support’ to discuss your replacement options. For damaged tips, you can also use this method to get free replacement tips for your AirPods Pro. AirPods’ battery serviceIf your AirPods are less than a year old (or two years if you have AppleCare+) and their batteries are not performing for the total five hours promised, then Apple will replace them for free. Additionally, if you mention the key phrase ‘battery service’ while discussing your problem with the Apple Support service provider, you can usually get a significant discount on replacement AirPods. This applies only to AirPods that hold less than 80% of their battery capacity and haven’t worn out from regular use. That’s because battery inconsistencies are an issue covered by the warranty. With each pair of AirPods they sell, Apple promises that the earbuds will perform up to a certain standard. So, when the AirPods do not live up to that standard, Apple makes good on its promise by fixing the issue with no charge to the customer. Even if your primary concern with the AirPods is not the batteries, you can still try to use this route to secure a new pair of AirPods for free. While this is a covert approach, the replacements are guaranteed to be new, so whatever problems you are having won’t be an issue with the new pair. Getting approved isn’t guaranteed, though, as the Apple representative will do some testing to verify this. But it’s worth a try! To access these free replacements, you must talk to an Apple Service Representative. Make sure to mention the key phrase ‘battery service’ for a faster response. Best Third-Party Sources to Get AirPod ReplacementsIf the prices for Apple’s AirPod replacement service look a little too steep, then there’s always the option of going to a third-party service. The prices on websites like eBay and FaceBook marketplace are often lower than when purchasing from the official site. However, there’s always a risk of getting a fake AirPod replacement when going through this route, so you’d be better off choosing a more reputable website, such as those listed below. You can find out if your AirPods are real once you have them in your hands, but by then, it would already have been too late! Third-party AirPods might also have quality issues, as they are often second-hand or damaged. They also lack a warranty, so any manufacturing defects will not be covered once they are revealed. Fortunately, a couple of websites can help you reduce the chances of encountering these issues. These are: The Swap ClubThe Swap Club (formerly Podswap) is a company dedicated to creating a more sustainable way to get rid of old or damaged technology. As per their service offerings, if your old AirPods meet their eligibility criteria, you can swap them for another pair for a 63%-69% discount. To be clear, the company does not actually work to make your particular AirPods brand-new; you simply swap your pair to receive another user’s old genuine Apple AirPods that have been professionally cleaned and serviced and fitted with new batteries. And if user accounts are anything to go by, the pair you receive is adequately reconditioned to look and work ‘as good as new’. For no more than $65 (including shipping). Quite a bargain when you take into account Apple replacement and battery service charges per AirPod! At the time of writing this article, The Swap Club can refurbish only first and second-gen AirPods. Using The Swap Club can help reduce mounds of technology ending up in landfills, meaning that you will be directly helping the planet by using this service. You’ll also help prevent the emissions that result from the manufacturing of a new pair of AirPods. It has been estimated that the ICT industry emits up to two percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. While this data doesn’t sound like a lot, it’s actually more than the entire airline industry! The Right PodUnlike The Swap Club, The Right Pod doesn’t offer a swapping service for old AirPods. However, they do offer discounted prices on reconditioned AirPods and cases, so if your AirPods don’t meet the requirements of The Swap Club, you can still get a quality second-hand pair for a low price. You can also replace either just the left AirPod or the right AirPod, unlike with The Swap Club, which requires you to submit a complete pair. AirPods at The Right Pod also have a substantial discount. AirPods (1st, 2nd, & 3rd Gen) cost only $40 each, compared to Apple’s $69 fee, while AirPods Pro cost $65 each instead of $89! If you’re looking to replace either or both of your pods and the case, The Right Pod is the clear winner here since The Swap Club does not offer to service for charging cases. ConclusionThere are very few things scarier than being confronted with lost or damaged AirPods. While this might sound like a bit of an exaggeration, we promise you that knowing these AirPods and AirPods case replacement tips beforehand will save you a lot of unnecessary hassle and a few grey hairs! So, whether you’re looking to replace just one damaged or lost AirPod, or both the pods or even the charging case, hopefully, this article will have helped you navigate all the Apple (and non-Apple) ways of doing so. While ensuring you don’t burn a hole in your pocket. We can imagine you’re now ready to get yourself a new pair of AirPods and get back to listening to music! Can I take my AirPods to the Apple store to get them fixed?You can replace a single AirPod (left or right AirPod) or a Charging Case for a fee. Use our “Get an Estimate” tool to review potential costs if you get service directly from Apple. If you go to another service provider, they can set their own fees, so ask them for an estimate.
How much does it cost to get AirPods fixed?How to Replace Lost AirPods or AirPods Case. Where can I get my broken AirPods fixed?We're your place for Apple authorized AirPods service and repairs. Our Geek Squad® Agents are Apple-trained, so you can trust us with all your Apple devices at any Best Buy store near you.
How can I get my AirPods fixed for free?If your AirPods Pro were made in the affected date range, you can get them replaced at your local Apple store for free.
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