Apple revolutionized the headphone market with the AirPods. Totally wireless earbuds are ubiquitous now, but there’s a downside: those little buds are easy to lose.
AirPods are small, light and completely cable-free. While that’s convenient, it introduces a new problem: if they fall out of your ear at an awkward moment, they’re gone. As a result, millions of AirPods need to be replaced every year.
Replacing AirPods is possible — but costly
Fortunately, Apple anticipated this problem and designed the AirPods in such a way that both the earbuds themselves and the charging case can be easily replaced individually. Not only does this save users from having to buy new ones – Apple itself also benefits from it. Because if there is a warranty claim, the company can simply replace the defective component and not the entire product.
However, Apple allows you to pay well for replacing individual AirPods or the charging case. If you add up the individual prices for the left and right AirPods and for the charging case, the sum comes out to be higher than the total package costs. For example, the new AirPods (3rd generation) now cost 199 euros. If you take the individual prices (75 euros per AirPod plus 85 euros for the MagSafe charging case), you get 235 euros. Here are the price lists:
| AirPods Pro | replacement costs |
|---|---|
| AirPods per piece | 99 euros |
| charging case | 109 euros |
| AirPods | replacement costs |
|---|---|
| AirPod per piece (2nd and 3rd generation) | 75 euros |
| Charging case (2nd generation) | 65 euros |
| Wireless charging case (2nd generation) | 85 euros |
| MagSafe charging case (3rd generation) | 85 euros |
To replace AirPods or charging case, you need to contact Apple Support. This is possible either online via chat, in the Apple Store or by phone. The AirPods can usually be exchanged directly in the Apple Store, provided replacement devices are in stock. For deliveries to customers, however, the company can charge up to 11.90 euros for shipping.
It should be noted that the individual AirPods only come in a simple outer packaging. Except for the AirPods Pro, which Apple also includes the silicone attachments in three sizes, the replacement devices come without any accessories.
New spare parts are practically only available from Apple itself and only through customer support. An exception is the charging case for the 2nd generation AirPods, which is also available from other retailers. However, if you don’t want to spend that much money, you have alternatives. For example, you can find refurbished, individual AirPods for little money on the Internet. There are even third-party charging cases that work with original AirPods and are significantly cheaper.
Also Read: 7 Best Alternatives to AirPods and AirPods Pro
Replacing AirPods – how it works
A few setup steps are required to use a replacement AirPod. As a rule, the charging case should recognize the new AirPod, but the connection to the iPhone or iPad must be established again.
- Go to the ideas to Bluetoothtap next to the AirPods (i) and then up Ignore this device. Confirm with ignore device.
- Put the new AirPod in the charging case together with the old one and leave the lid open.
- The indicator should now be flashing orange (Apple calls the color “yellow”).
- Press and hold the button on the back of the charging case until it flashes white.
- Open the case and complete the setup process on the iPhone.
Occasionally, replacement AirPods may not be recognized by the charging case. In this case, you should contact Apple Support. Solving the problem yourself is possible, but extremely complicated and lengthy, which is why we advise against it.