Your AirPods don’t last long any more, and you’re thinking about replacing the AirPods battery? In short: it’s hardly possible and rarely worth it. Here you’ll find out why, how to reliably spot a weak battery and which solution works better.
Can you replace the AirPods battery?
Not in the way you might know from a phone. According to Apple, the batteries in AirPods aren’t designed to be replaced. The battery is fixed inside the housing, and the housing is glued shut. There’s no flap and there are no screws. This applies to every single AirPod and to the charging case as well. With Beats earbuds such as Beats Fit Pro or Powerbeats Pro 2, the battery isn’t designed for you to replace it yourself either.
Why a battery replacement is rarely worth it
- To get to the battery, the housing has to be cut or prised open. Delicate parts such as the speaker, microphone or sensors are easily damaged in the process.
- A damaged battery can get hot or even catch fire. That’s why Apple’s safety information says that only trained professionals should work on the batteries.
- Once opened, the housing usually no longer closes as cleanly as before. The protection against sweat and water is then often lost.
- Replacement batteries you find online are usually imitations. You can hardly check where they come from or how safe they are.
How to spot a weak battery
Before you replace anything, a quick test is worthwhile. It shows you whether the battery really is to blame and which part is affected:
- Fully charge both AirPods and the charging case.
- Listen with both AirPods for a while without putting them back in the case in between.
- Put them back in the case and open the lid next to your iPhone. You’ll now see the charge level of both AirPods. If one AirPod is much emptier than the other, its battery is probably worn out.
- Check the case too: charge it fully, take the AirPods out and see how much charge is left after a day without charging.
AirPods Pro 3 have one special feature: if “Optimised Charge Limit” is turned on, they don’t always charge fully. This is intentional and protects the battery, so it isn’t a sign of a weak battery. You’ll find more tips for longer battery life in the guide AirPods battery not lasting?
The better solution: replace only the weak part
Instead of replacing the battery, you simply replace the AirPod with the weak battery. Your second AirPod and your charging case stay in use. If only the case no longer lasts long, you only replace the case. That way, you don’t need a new pair.
At Lostpod, you can get the left or right AirPod and the charging case individually, as a genuine replacement part. For Beats Fit Pro, Beats Studio Buds +, Powerbeats Fit, Powerbeats Pro 2 and Beats Solo Buds, you can also get the earbuds and the charging case individually.
What to look out for with a replacement
- Same model: the new part has to match your other parts. The number is printed in small letters on the AirPod and inside the lid of the case. Our list of model numbers shows which number belongs to which model.
- Same version: AirPods Pro 2 with Lightning and with USB-C don’t go together, and neither do AirPods 4 with and without ANC.
- Pair once: a new AirPod or a new case is connected once with your other parts. The steps are in the guide Pair AirPods.
Frequently asked questions
Can you replace the battery in the charging case?
No, the battery in the charging case is permanently built in too. If the case rarely charges the AirPods fully any more, simply replace the charging case.
Why is my AirPods case losing battery so fast?
Usually the battery in the case has aged. Heat also damages it, for example in the car in summer. If the case runs flat quickly even without AirPods inside, a new charging case is the simplest solution.
Is a battery replacement worth it for older AirPods?
Usually not. The procedure is complex and risky, and the rest of the AirPod stays as old as it was. A single replacement AirPod is generally the safer solution.
What should I do with the old AirPod?
Don’t put it in your household waste. AirPods and charging cases contain batteries and belong at an official collection point for old electrical devices, for example a recycling centre.
