Comprehensive Guide to AirPod Replacement – Apple AirPods have become the standard in wireless audio and deliver portability, good sound, and compatibility with Apple products. They are, however, vulnerable to loss, damage, or battery degradation, so, in many cases, you need to replace either a single earbud alone, the charging case, or such accessories as ear tips. Instead of buying a new set of AirPods, repairing a specific part or a single AirPod is a convenient alternative that will not cost too much.
This guide discusses all the alternatives to the AirPod replacements: official Apple services, third-party retailers, some common sense issues, and information about prices, warranties, and device pairing.
Table of Contents
Why You Might Need a Replacement?
AirPods are wireless and small, which is why they can be lost or broken. The most frequent causes of the necessity of a replacement are:
- Loss: This is easily lost when traveling, exercising, and in everyday commutes. They are also easy to lose, given that they are small.
- Damage: It can easily be damaged, running an AirPod through a washing machine or dropping it can damage it and make it unusable.
- Loss of Battery: The lithium-ion batteries of AirPods lose their power over time, and by the end of the second year, they do not hold battery power or the five hours they were presumed to have.
- Sound issues: AirPods or (particularly) AirPods Pro, certain of which were produced before October 2020, possibly tend to make crackling or popping or fail to muffle, and can be brought so that Apple provides them through the cell phone manufacturer’s free service program.
- Broken/Damaged Parts: Trouble with a malfunctioning microphone or connection difficulties can lead to replacing one earbud or the charging Case.
Substitution of one element is usually more economical and ecologically sound than a new pair in terms of minimizing electronic waste and monetary cost.
Official Apple Replacement Options
Apple provides a streamlined process for replacing lost or damaged AirPods, charging cases, or accessories. Here’s how to navigate Apple’s replacement services:
Apple Support Process
Go to Apple’s AirPods repair and service page: Visit support.apple.com, select AirPods repair and service, and click on either Lost or Missing AirPods or Repair, depending on your requirements.
Name Your Product: Make sure you know what kind of AirPods you have (1st Gen, 2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, or Pro), and enter the serial number, written on the charging case, in the original box, or via your Settings menu in the iPhone under General > About > AirPods.
Comprehensive Guide to AirPod Replacement – Choose a Service Option:
In-Store: Make a Genius Bar reservation at an Apple store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
- Mail-In Service: Call Apple Service to request a prepaid shipment to handle your AirPods. Conventional replacement typically takes one week.
- Cost Estimate: The tools on Apple’s site, Get an Estimate, allow you to find out the price, depending on your model, and the status of your warranty. You must identify whether you are replacing the left or right AirPod, the charging case, or the ear tips.
Replacement Costs
Costs vary depending on the AirPods model, warranty status, and whether you have AppleCare+. Below are the estimated out-of-warranty replacement fees from Apple (prices in USD, subject to tax and shipping fees):
AirPods (1st or 2nd Generation):
Single AirPod: $69
Charging Case: $59
Wireless Charging Case: $79
AirPods (3rd Generation):
AppleCare+ Benefits
AppleCare+ for Headphones ($29 for two years) offers significant savings for replacements and repairs:
Covers accidental damage for a $29 per-incident fee.
Includes battery replacement at no cost if the battery retains less than 80% of its original capacity.
Provides Express Replacement Service, where Apple sends a replacement before you return the damaged item.
Does not cover lost or stolen AirPods.
Apple’s standard one-year limited warranty covers manufacturing defects, not loss or accidental damage. Replacements come with a 90-day warranty or the remaining term of your AppleCare+ plan, whichever is longer.
Comprehensive Guide to AirPod Replacement – Special Service Programs
For AirPods Pro manufactured before October 2020, Apple offers a free service program for sound issues like crackling, static, or ineffective noise cancellation. Affected units will be replaced after inspection at no cost, but the program does not extend the standard warranty.
Third-Party Replacement Options
If you want to use alternatives to Apple services, several third-party retailers offer authentic or refurbished replacements for AirPods. These are cheaper and must be used cautiously to achieve originality and compatibility.
Confidence Third-Party Dealers
OneEarPod (oneearpod.com):
Specializing in separate parts of AirPods 1- 3 3-generation and AirPods Pro.
It provides genuine Apple 100 percent parts with warranties from its manufacturers.
ReCellExchange (recellexchange.com):
A real, tried, and cleaned Apple stock, with 90 90-day guarantee.
Free shipping in the U.S and reasonable prices with a single AirPods and a charging Case.
Back Market ( backmarket.co.uk):
Concentrates on refurbished and certified AirPods that undergo a check of functionality.
It is cheaper than new replacements, with guarantees and returns.
Plays more emphasis on sustainability by lowering the amount of electronic waste.
Walmart, Amazon, and Target:
Offer refurbished or third-party AirPod components, such as single earbuds or ear tips.
Prices start at $46.99 for a refurbished AirPod (3rd Generation) or $8.85 for replacement ear tips.
Macfixit Australia (macfixit.com.au):
Provides genuine Apple spare parts, including ear tips and charging cases.
Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee and rigorous testing for quality.
Considerations for Third-Party Purchases
- Compatibility: Be sure to find a replacement compatible with your version of AirPods (W1 chip, 1st Generation, H1, 2 nd /3rd generation, H2, Pro/4 th generation). Mismatched models will not match properly.
- Quality: Deal with reputable dealers with easily defensible warranties and money-back policies. One should also avoid using third-party sellers who sell products that may be counterfeit.
- Firmware Problems: The new AirPods purchased might be outdated (firmware); thus, they must be updated using an Apple device to make them compatible.
- Sustainability: Purchasing refurbished models from sellers like Back Market brings fewer environmental consequences than a new set.
Pairing a Replacement AirPod
Pairing a replacement AirPod with your existing set is straightforward but may require extra steps due to firmware differences:
Charge the AirPods: Place both AirPods (original and replacement) in the charging case, connect them to power, and wait 15-20 minutes.
Battery Replacement and Repair Challenges
AirPods have a reputation for being very difficult to fix, with an ultrashort design and glued parts that rank it a 0/10 on the repairability scale according to iFixit. AirPods can receive battery replacement in certain instances, although Apple has a policy of replacing AirPods instead of repairing them.
- Battery Service: Apple charges $49 per AirPod or $98 per set (not covered by AppleCare+) for battery service.
- Do it Yourself: On its website, iFixit has instructions on replacing AirPod batteries with tools such as a hot air gun and tweezers. The problem with this method is that a faulty battery replacement can damage the earbud.
- Battery Charging Case: The battery on the charging case is also difficult to replace as it has adhesive and fixed points, so special tools and degrees are needed.
Conclusion
Comprehensive Guide to AirPod Replacement – The fact that a person can replace a lost/damaged AirPod will help them save money and avoid buying another pair. Apple also offers a secure replacement service with established pricing and warranty opportunities. In contrast, third-party shops, such as OneEarPod, ReCellExchange, and Back Market, provide cost-effective alternatives, most of the time with refurbished opportunities. Whenever selecting an independent third-party vendor, ensure it is compatible and legitimate.