AirPods Pro earbuds manufactured before October 2020 may experience sound issues and are eligible for replacement through a new service program.
Some pairs of AirPods Pro that were manufactured before October 2020 may experience sound issues, including crackling, static sounds, or active noise cancellation problems, and are eligible for replacement through a service program. Apple may take a while to acknowledge issues with its devices, but when it finally does recognize a mistake, it is generally easy for customers to find a solution. The beleaguered butterfly keyboard that was introduced with the 12-inch MacBook caused problems for years, prompting the company to roll out a service program good for four years after a MacBook's purchase. Now, after persistent sound issues on some AirPods Pro models, a new service program offers replacement for eligible pairs.
The sound issues, which were prominent enough to warrant a worldwide service program, reinvigorate calls for repairable Apple devices. Particularly, the AirPods lineup — aside from the over-ear AirPods Max — are completely unrepairable. The battery is sure to degrade over time, and since there is no method for repair, the truly-wireless headphones are destined to end up in a landfill. Any time there is an issue with a pair of AirPods, the entire unit needs to be replaced. The company can individually replace the left or right buds, as well as the charging case, but repair is not possible for any of these components. So when a problem arises, as in this case, the defective product must be discarded.
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Apple announced a service program for what it calls "a small percentage" of AirPods Pro units that were manufactured before October 2020. The pairs of earbuds may experience a variety of sound issues that can be exaggerated in loud environments. The AirPods Pro pairs that are affected might crackle or produce static noise in loud environments, while exercising, or while talking on the phone. Active noise cancellation might be affected, too. When a noise cancellation or transparency mode is enabled, affected pairs of earbuds might experience a loss of bass or an increase in background noise. If a pair of AirPods Pro is eligible and is confirmed to have these issues, it is eligible for replacement.
There are three ways that users can get a replacement pair of AirPods through the service program, and eligibility can be checked without any effort on the user's part. AirPods Pro owners can both visit an Apple retail store and authorized service provider to see if a pair is eligible and receive a replacement model. At either of these locations, it will be confirmed that a pair has the sound issues and is eligible. One or both of the earbuds will be replaced as needed, but the charging case is unaffected by the issues and will not be replaced. Customers can also initiate mail service through the Apple Support app, website, or phone number.
To get an idea of whether a pair of AirPods is eligible before driving out to a location or calling a representative, AirPods Pro owners can visit Apple's check coverage website. By entering the serial number on a pair of AirPods, users can see the support coverage, date of purchase, or manufacture date. With this information, it's possible to determine whether a pair of AirPods might be eligible for replacement. The serial number can be found on the back of an AirPods Pro case or in the settings menu of an Apple device to which they are paired. If a pair of AirPods Pro is experiencing sound issues and was purchased or manufactured before October 2020, they may be eligible for the service program.
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Brady Snyder is a journalism student at St. John's University specializing in Apple, wearables, and audio. Based in New York City, he reviews consumer technology, software, and services. Brady is well-versed in iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS — but experiments with Android and Windows as needed. He believes that competition between technology companies facilitates progress, and cautions against sticking to one particular brand or device. Instead, Brady tests out any tech product or service he can get his hands on, and aids buyers in making an informed decision about what is best for their needs. He's currently flipping into the future with Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G, but the Apple Watch's incredible fitness features might have him coming back to the iPhone in no time. Brady's always searching for the best and most productive workflow with his technology, regardless of the platform he is currently using.