AppleCare Does Not Cover Lost or Stolen AirPods
AppleCare+ for AirPods does not replace lost or stolen earbuds. The plan covers hardware defects, battery issues, and accidental damage from drops or water exposure — but it explicitly excludes loss and theft. If your AirPods go missing, AppleCare will not pay for a replacement.
This is a hard boundary in the coverage terms. AppleCare+ for AirPods costs $29 upfront (or $4.99 per month) and covers two incidents of accidental damage over two years, each with a service fee of $29. Loss and theft are not among those covered incidents, no matter how recently you purchased the plan or how much you have paid into it.
Key Takeaways
- AppleCare+ covers accidental damage and hardware defects but explicitly excludes lost or stolen AirPods.
- If your AirPods are lost, your only option through Apple is to buy a replacement pair at full price or purchase individual replacement earbuds.
- Some renters or homeowners insurance policies cover personal electronics loss, so checking your policy may reveal coverage you already have.
- Apple's Find My app can locate AirPods if they are powered on and within Bluetooth range, which should be your first step before assuming they are gone.
What AppleCare+ Actually Covers for AirPods
AppleCare+ for AirPods covers two types of problems: hardware defects that appear during normal use, and accidental damage. Hardware defects include battery failure, charging case problems, and speaker issues. Accidental damage means physical damage from drops, impacts, or water exposure — but only if the damage happened by accident, not from neglect or misuse.
Each claim costs $29 in service fees, and you get two claims over the two-year coverage period. After two claims or two years, the plan ends. If your AirPods fail after the plan expires, Apple will not repair them under warranty — you will need to buy a new pair.
The plan does not cover cosmetic damage (scratches or dents that do not affect function), intentional damage, damage from unauthorized repairs, or any loss scenario. Loss includes misplacing them, having them stolen, or leaving them somewhere and not being able to retrieve them.
Your Options if AirPods Are Lost
If you cannot find your AirPods, start by using the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Open Find My, select the Devices tab, and look for your AirPods in the list. If they appear on the map, they are still powered on and within Bluetooth range — this means they may be nearby or still in a location you can reach. The app will play a sound to help you locate them.
If Find My shows them offline or does not locate them, they are either powered off, out of range, or gone. At that point, your options are to purchase a replacement pair at full retail price (typically $129 to $249 depending on the model) or buy individual replacement earbuds from Apple. A single replacement earbud costs $69, and a replacement charging case costs $79, so replacing just one lost earbud is expensive.
Some people find that their homeowners or renters insurance covers personal electronics loss. Check your policy or call your insurance agent — if you have coverage for personal property, it may include AirPods. You would file a claim with your insurance company, not with Apple, and you would pay your deductible (often $250 to $500) rather than the full replacement cost.
Why AppleCare Does Not Cover Loss
AppleCare+ excludes loss and theft because these are not manufacturing or design problems — they are situations where the product itself is undamaged but no longer in your possession. Insurance companies and manufacturers distinguish between product failure (which the maker may be responsible for) and loss (which is the owner's responsibility). If AppleCare covered loss, the cost of the plan would be much higher, and Apple would have to investigate every claim to prevent fraud.
This is standard across the industry. Most manufacturer warranties and extended plans exclude loss and theft. If you want coverage for loss, you need a separate insurance product, not a manufacturer's warranty.
Comparing Your Actual Coverage Options
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | What It Does Not Cover | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| AppleCare+ for AirPods | Hardware defects, accidental damage (drops, water) | Loss, theft, cosmetic damage | $29 upfront or $4.99/month |
| Homeowners or renters insurance | Loss, theft, accidental damage (if personal property coverage included) | Depends on your policy; some exclude small electronics | Already paying for insurance; deductible applies per claim |
| No coverage | Nothing | Everything | $0 until loss occurs; then full replacement cost |
Steps to Take Right Now if Your AirPods Are Missing
First, use Find My to check whether your AirPods are still reachable. Open the app, tap Devices, select your AirPods, and note whether they show as online or offline. If online, the map will show their last known location — go there and play the sound to help locate them. If offline, they have been powered off or the battery is dead.
Second, retrace your steps. Think about where you last used them and check those locations — your car, your desk, your gym bag, or the place where you last took them out. Many "lost" AirPods are found this way within a few hours or days.
Third, if you have homeowners or renters insurance, contact your insurance agent and ask whether your policy covers personal electronics loss. Have your policy number ready and be prepared to describe what happened. If you are covered, you can file a claim, though you will pay your deductible.
Fourth, if you need to replace your AirPods when ready and have no insurance coverage, you can purchase a new pair from Apple, an authorized retailer, or a third-party seller. Prices vary by model and retailer, so compare before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Find My to locate my AirPods if they are dead?
No. Find My only works if your AirPods are powered on and have battery. If the battery is completely drained, they will not appear on the map. However, Find My will show you the last location where they were online, which can help you narrow down where to search.
Does AppleCare cover one lost earbud if I still have the other?
No. AppleCare does not cover loss under any circumstance, whether you lose one earbud or both. If you lose one earbud, you can buy a replacement earbud from Apple for $69, but this is not covered by AppleCare.
What if my AirPods were stolen rather than lost?
AppleCare does not cover theft. Your homeowners or renters insurance may cover theft of personal property, so check your policy. If you have coverage, you can file a claim with your insurance company and provide a police report if one was filed.
Can I cancel AppleCare and get a refund if I lose my AirPods?
You can cancel AppleCare at any time, but you will not receive a refund for the full amount you paid — Apple refunds only the unused portion of monthly payments, not upfront payments. Canceling after a loss will not help you recover the cost of your AirPods.
Is there any Apple program that replaces lost AirPods for free?
No. Apple does not have a free replacement program for lost AirPods. Your only options are to purchase a replacement pair at full price, buy individual replacement parts, or check whether your personal insurance covers the loss.