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).
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:
- Go into Bluetooth settings on your phone and choose “forget this device”
- Put your AirPods in the charging case, and wait for the light to turn amber
- Hold the setup button until the light flashes white
- Go to the home screen of your phone and open the charging case
- you should get a pop-up notification prompting you to set up your AirPods
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 AirPods
Will 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.
No sooner had the AirPods Pro launched than the internet was filled up with memes about Apple's latest headphones. Despite being the punchline of a lot (and we mean a lot) of jokes, the AirPods Pro have already become Apple's latest success, selling out during the holidays.
Though the Pro iteration of the AirPods brings plenty of new features, there's one thing they haven't solved yet: people losing their AirPods. If you're afraid of losing (or have already lost) your AirPods, you've come to the right place.
What Could You Do If You Lose Your AirPods?
Anyone who's ever lost one of their AirPods - or even thought they lost one of their AirPods - knows the immediate surge of panic that follows. Admit it or not, anyone who's owned AirPods has lost them at some point, even if only for a few minutes. You fall asleep with them in your ears, one falls out on the treadmill, they get tangled in your hair until you find them the next day- we've all been there.
The surge of panic follows:
“Can I replace it? Is that covered in the warranty? How much is this going to cost? I've only had them for a week! "
What is the solution?
Use Find My To Find Your AirPods
The first thing you should do is open the Find My app to locate the missing AirPods. The app will show you where they are if they are not too far apart or dead. Even if they are out of range of your iPhone or other devices that you’re using with your AirPods, the app will show the location where they were last connected.
Buy A New Pair Of AirPods Or A Replacement
If your AirPods truly are gone or you just don't feel like waiting for them to turn up, you have no choice but to order a new pair of AirPods from Apple. Lost AirPods aren't covered by warranty. Luckily, if you just lose an AirPod, you can purchase a replacement from Apple which is much cheaper. The price for replacing a regular AirPod is $69, while the price for replacing an AirPod Pro is $89.
Use One AirPod
Purchase a replacement is not the only solution. Yes, as shocking as it may sound, you can just use one AirPod. If your other AirPod is somewhere around the house, using just one will keep you from buying a new pair while you wait for the old one to turn up.
How To Avoid Lost AirPods
Apparently you probably need to spend extra money if you lose the AirPods. So, why not protect them in the first place? Compared to the cost of replacing or buying a new AirPods, it’s worth taking measures ahead.
To help you keep up with your AirPods, try these tips!
Make Your Wireless AirPods Wired
You may have to swallow your techie-pride on this one. It's a step backwards, but a surefire way to avoid losing your AirPods: connect them with a wire. Lots of tech accessory companies have come out with AirPods straps, which connect your AirPods using a thin rope or wire.
It may not look the most fashionable, but it'll keep your AirPods together and make them less prone to falling into cracks and such. Think about it, you've never lost an earbud that was part of a pair of wired earbuds before, right?
Use Ear Hooks For Your AirPods
Another option is to use ear hooks. These are rubber tips that fit over the in-ear part of your AirPods. They have a hook or fin-like shape that makes it much harder for your AirPods to fall out of your ear. Some people may have no issue with AirPods falling out of their ears whatsoever, so for those, this idea won’t be particularly helpful.
For some, though, their AirPods fall out of their ears regularly, even if they aren’t moving. This has to do with the shape of your individual ear. Ear hooks can also help keep AirPods in your ears while you’re running or if you have long hair that tends to get tangled on your AirPods.
Keep Your AirPods In The Case
This is a simple rule, but it’s a must. If you aren’t using your AirPods, the only place they should be is in the case. Don’t leave them sitting out on the counter, don’t put them in your pocket or your cupholder. No matter how good you are at keeping up with them, AirPods that are loose and outside of their case are more likely to get lost.
Not only that but because they’re not in the case they’re going to slowly lose battery life. This means that you won’t be able to find your AirPods using the Find My app on the iPhone, making them harder to recover.
Use An Anti-Lost Case Cover For Your AirPods
What if you keep the AirPods in the case but you lose the case? The white small charging case could be easily disappeared in your bag or sofa with a bunch of stuff. So don’t forget to prevent losing the case as well.
There are lots of cases for your AirPods charging case out there that not only add a little more fashion to the minimal white case AirPods come with, but that also make your AirPods harder to lose.These cases feature anti-lost designs like clips and bright colours that make your AirPods more visible and harder to misplace.
The Air Pal Mini For AirPods 1&2: The Ideal Anti-Lost Case Cover
The Air Pal Mini is a protective and stylish case, fitting snugly over your existing AirPods Pro case, providing you with extra protection and, most importantly, reducing the chances of you losing your AirPods case. It features a detachable carabiner clip that you can connect to your keys, purse, or belt loop. It’s easy to lock the AirPods charging case with the earbuds inside to most of your daily essentials. This way, your AirPods are always with you, even when you forget about them.
On top of that, the Air Pal Mini is made from military-grade 600D aramid fiber, the same material used in spaceships and race cars. No more scratches or scuffs, guaranteed. In addition, it supports wired and wireless charging, so you don't have to sacrifice anything when you use it. It’s not only made to be practical but also look fashionable. It's sleek, smooth, and professional.
PITAKA also provide similar protective and stylish case for AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro. Both cases are embedded with MagSafe magnets, so you can easily attach your earbuds to Apple MagSafe Charger or other MagSafe chargers.
Never Lose Your AirPods Again
As you can see, losing your AirPods is a tough situation with few desirable solutions. That's why we believe the best solution for lost AirPods is to ensure you never lose them in the first place. To avoid losing your AirPods, consider picking up the right stuff to protect your AirPods and the charging case.