Buying refurbished or used AirPods is often cheaper than buying a new pair. To make sure you don’t end up with a fake, a weak battery or AirPods that are still linked to the previous owner’s Apple Account, it’s best to check a few points. Before you buy, and at the latest straight afterwards.
Refurbished or used AirPods: what does it mean?
Used AirPods come to you just as the previous owner used them. Refurbished means the AirPods have been checked, cleaned and repaired if necessary, usually by a retailer. How thoroughly this is done varies from seller to seller. Ask what exactly was checked or replaced.
1. Check they’re genuine
Fake AirPods often look very similar to real ones. Open the case next to your iPhone and then look at the AirPods’ settings: on genuine AirPods, you’ll find the model number, serial number and software version there, among other things. Also check whether the AirPods appear in your Find My app. You’ll find all the checks in the guide Genuine or fake?
2. Compare the serial number and model numbers
- The serial number in Settings should match the number inside the lid of the charging case. In an original set, the AirPods and the case share this number.
- If a part has been replaced, the numbers may differ. That’s fine as long as all parts are genuine and belong to the same model. Ask the seller about it.
- Both AirPods and the case must belong to the same model. To check, compare the model numbers printed in small type on each AirPod and inside the lid.
Where to find all the numbers is explained in the guide Check your AirPods serial number.
3. Remove them from the previous owner’s Apple Account
AirPods show up in Find My on the Apple Account they were set up with. If the previous owner hasn’t removed them there, on many models only they can see the AirPods in Find My, not you. Your iPhone may also warn you that unknown AirPods are travelling with you.
So ask the seller to do two things on their iPhone before the handover:
- Open “Settings”, tap the name of the AirPods near the top and choose “Forget This Device”.
- Put the AirPods in the case and close the lid. Then, in the Find My app, tap the AirPods under “Devices” and remove them.
Then reset the AirPods and connect them to your iPhone, as described in the guide Reset AirPods. If they then appear in your Find My app, this point is done.
4. Test the battery
AirPods batteries age too. That’s why used AirPods often don’t last as long as new ones. Here’s how to test it:
- Fully charge the AirPods and the charging case.
- Open the case next to your iPhone. You’ll see the charge level of both AirPods and the case.
- Listen to music with both AirPods for a while, then check the charge level again.
If one AirPod runs down much faster than the other, its battery is worn out. If the case only rarely charges the AirPods fully, its battery is weak.
5. Condition and hygiene
- Look at the meshes, the contacts and the charging port. Discolouration at the bottom of the stem is normal on well-used AirPods.
- Test both sides: sound, the microphone during a phone call, charging in the case and, if available, noise cancellation.
- Before wearing them for the first time, clean the AirPods with a dry, lint-free cloth and the meshes with a soft, dry brush. Liquid doesn’t belong in the openings.
- With AirPods Pro, fresh ear tips are worth it. Make sure you get the right model, because ear tips don’t fit across generations.
Often a single part is enough
Do your own AirPods still work and only one AirPod or the case is broken or lost? Then you don’t need a used pair. At Lostpod, you can get the left or right AirPod and the charging case individually, as a genuine replacement part. Your other parts stay in use, and you know how they’ve been treated.
Frequently asked questions
Are refurbished AirPods worth it?
That depends on the condition and the seller. What matters most is that they’re genuine, have a good battery and are no longer linked to the previous owner’s Apple Account.
What should I look out for with used AirPods Pro 2?
Also check whether you’re getting the version with Lightning or with USB-C. Parts from the two versions don’t go together. Also make sure the ear tips are clean, or replace them.
Can I connect used AirPods to my iPhone?
Yes. Reset them and connect them again. For Find My to work reliably for you, the previous owner should remove them from their Apple Account first.
Are used AirPods hygienic?
AirPods sit in your ear. So clean them thoroughly before wearing them for the first time, but keep it dry. With AirPods Pro, it’s best to replace the ear tips.
