Yes, AirPod batteries can be replaced, but Apple handles the swap, not you
You cannot open AirPods yourself and swap out the battery. The case and earbuds are sealed units glued together, and prying them open damages them beyond repair. Apple offers an out-of-warranty battery replacement service: you send in your AirPods, they replace the battery, and you pay a flat fee. For most models, that fee is between $50 and $70 per earbud or case, depending on which AirPods you own.
The catch is timing. Apple's battery service takes one to two weeks, and you lose your AirPods during that window. If you rely on them daily, you are without them for that period. Some Apple Stores offer mail-in service; others require you to visit in person. The fastest option is usually an Apple Store with in-store service, though availability varies by location.
Before paying for a replacement, check whether your AirPods are still under the one-year limited warranty. If they are, battery replacement is free. If you bought AppleCare+, you get two years of coverage, and battery service is covered as long as the AirPods still hold a charge (even a weak one). Accidental damage coverage costs extra but covers battery issues caused by drops or water exposure.
Key Takeaways
- Apple charges $50 to $70 per earbud or case for out-of-warranty battery replacement, and the service takes one to two weeks.
- If your AirPods are within one year of purchase, battery replacement is free under the standard limited warranty.
- AppleCare+ extends battery coverage to two years and costs less than paying for a replacement out of warranty.
- Third-party repair shops can replace AirPod batteries faster and sometimes cheaper, but they void any remaining warranty and may damage the water seal.
How to check if your AirPods battery is actually failing
AirPods batteries degrade over time. After two to three years of daily use, you might notice they do not hold a charge as long as they used to. The earbud battery indicator in your iPhone or Mac shows the current charge level, but it does not tell you whether the battery is failing or straightforward depleted.
A real battery failure shows up as rapid drain: the AirPods charge to 100 percent but drop to 20 percent within an hour of light use, or they shut off unexpectedly even when the case shows a full charge. If your AirPods last four to five hours on a full charge and you use them daily, that is normal aging, not failure. If they last 30 minutes or less, the battery is degraded enough to warrant replacement.
Before you assume the battery is dead, try resetting your AirPods. Hold the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white. This clears the pairing and sometimes fixes battery reporting errors. If the problem persists after a reset, the battery itself is likely failing.
Apple's battery replacement process and what it costs
To start a battery replacement, visit apple.com/support or call Apple Support. You can also walk into an Apple Store and ask about battery service. Apple will ask you to describe the battery issue and confirm your AirPods model and serial number. The serial number is on the case or in your iPhone under Settings > Bluetooth > Your AirPods > Info.
Once Apple confirms the issue, you have two options: mail-in service or in-store service. Mail-in service is free shipping both ways if you are within warranty or have AppleCare+. Out-of-warranty mail-in service costs the replacement fee plus $6.95 for return shipping. In-store service is faster—usually same-day or next-day—but only available at locations with a Genius Bar.
Pricing varies by model. AirPods Pro battery replacement runs $70 per earbud or $70 for the case. Standard AirPods cost $50 per earbud or $50 for the case. AirPods Max battery replacement is $80. These prices are for out-of-warranty service. If you are still under warranty or have AppleCare+, you pay nothing.
Third-party repair shops: faster but riskier
Independent repair shops like iFixit, Best Buy's Geek Squad, and local phone repair stores can replace AirPod batteries in one to three days, often for $30 to $50 per earbud. The appeal is speed and cost. The downside is that opening the AirPods voids any remaining Apple warranty, and most third-party shops cannot may provide the water seal will be as tight after reassembly.
If your AirPods are already out of warranty and you need them back quickly, a third-party shop is a reasonable choice. If they are still under warranty or you have AppleCare+, stick with Apple—you lose nothing by waiting, and you keep the warranty intact. Some third-party shops offer a limited warranty on their work, usually 30 to 90 days, so ask before you hand them over.
Check reviews of any shop you choose. AirPods are small and delicate, and a careless repair can damage the speaker, microphone, or charging contacts. Look for shops that have done AirPod repairs before and have photos or customer feedback showing successful work.
When replacement is cheaper than repair
If your AirPods are more than three years old and the battery is failing, compare the cost of replacement to the cost of repair. A new pair of AirPods Pro costs around $250. A battery replacement costs $70 per earbud, so $140 for both. If only one earbud has a dead battery, you might pay $70 to fix it, but if both are aging, you could end up paying $140 and still have aging earbuds that will need service again in a year or two.
New AirPods come with a fresh one-year warranty and a new battery rated for hundreds of charge cycles. Repaired AirPods keep the same battery health as before the repair—you are just replacing the worn-out cell. If you use AirPods heavily, a new pair might be the better long-term choice, even if the upfront cost is higher.
Standard AirPods are cheaper to replace outright than AirPods Pro. A new pair of standard AirPods costs around $130, while a battery replacement for both earbuds costs $100. The gap is smaller, so repair makes more sense for the standard model.
How to extend AirPod battery life before replacement is needed
Battery degradation is inevitable, but you can slow it down. Avoid leaving your AirPods in a hot car or direct sunlight for long periods. Heat accelerates battery aging. Store them in a cool, dry place when you are not using them. Keep the charging case clean—dirt on the contacts can cause charging errors that stress the battery.
Do not let the case battery drop to zero regularly. If you charge the case every few days instead of waiting until it is completely dead, the battery lasts longer. Lithium batteries, which AirPods use, degrade faster when cycled from empty to full repeatedly. Partial charges are gentler on the battery.
Avoid using your AirPods while they are charging. This generates heat and stresses the battery. Let them charge fully before you use them again. If you use AirPods for eight hours a day, the battery will age faster than if you use them for two hours a day—that is just the nature of rechargeable batteries. There is no way around it, but proper storage and charging habits buy you extra months or even a year of usable life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do AirPod batteries last before they need replacement?
Most AirPod batteries last two to three years with daily use before they noticeably degrade. After that, you might see the charge drop from 100 percent to 20 percent within an hour. The exact timeline depends on how often you charge them and how you store them. Heavy users may need replacement sooner; light users may get four years or more.
Can I replace just one earbud if only one battery is dead?
Yes. Apple charges per earbud, so you can replace just the left or right one. If only one earbud has a dead battery, you pay for one replacement, not two. The case battery can also be replaced separately for the same price as an earbud replacement.
What happens if I try to open AirPods myself?
The earbud and case are glued together with strong adhesive. Prying them open usually breaks the plastic shell, damages the internal components, and makes them unusable. Even if you succeed, you cannot easily source a replacement battery that fits. Do not attempt it—the cost of repair or replacement will be higher than paying Apple's service fee.
Is AppleCare+ worth it for AirPods?
AppleCare+ costs $29 for AirPods Pro and covers two years of battery service plus accidental damage. If you plan to keep your AirPods for more than two years, it pays for itself with one battery replacement. If you tend to lose or damage electronics, the accidental damage coverage is valuable. If you replace your AirPods every two years anyway, AppleCare+ is not necessary.
Do refurbished AirPods have new batteries?
Apple refurbished AirPods come with a new or replacement battery and are covered by a one-year limited warranty, the same as new AirPods. Third-party refurbished AirPods vary—some have new batteries, others have used ones. Check the listing or ask the seller before you buy. Refurbished AirPods are cheaper than new, but the battery age is not always clear.