Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

AirPods

2026-04-02T19:11:03Z

178.114.189.75: AirPods Pro Sound Issue (2020-) added cite

{{StubNotice}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{ProductLineCargo
| ReleaseYear = 2016-12-13
| Website = https://apple.com/airpods
| Logo = AirPods logo.svg
|ArticleType=ProductLine
|Category=Wireless earbuds
|Company=Apple
|Description= AirPods are wireless earbuds designed by Apple.
|InProduction=Yes}}

'''AirPods''' are wireless earbuds designed by [[Apple]]. They first debuted on September 07, 2016 alongside the iPhone 7 and were released on December 13, 2016.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 Sep 2016 |title=Apple reinvents the wireless headphone with AirPods |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2016/09/apple-reinvents-the-wireless-headphones-with-airpods/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104044455/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2016/09/apple-reinvents-the-wireless-headphones-with-airpods/ |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
AirPods are designed in a way that makes them unrepairable, leading to customers having to buy a new pair after a few years of use. Apple can replace them but will not repair them or help you do it yourself. According to an expert from iFixit:<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Dalvin |date=20 Apr 2023 |title=Apple Doesn’t Repair AirPods. Here’s Why. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omMPJEoZGJE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=omMPJEoZGJE |archive-date=2026-02-02 |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Youtube |publisher=Wall Street Journal}}</ref><blockquote>If you want to take this apart, non-destructively, to replace the batteries, as far as I know, that's impossible.[[File:Airpods-pro-3-carepricecomparison.png|alt=an image depicting the price difference between normal Apple service and AppleCare service.|thumb|Price difference between normal Apple service and AppleCare service.]]</blockquote>The rechargeable batteries in AirPods can experience fast-tracked degradation after a certain number of battery cycles<ref name=":1" /> with two-year-old sets lasting for less than half of the advertised five hours.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elalj |first=Simo |date=2024-04-16 |title=How Long Do AirPods Last? (Battery & Lifespan) |url=https://www.refurb.me/blog/how-long-do-airpods-last-battery-lifespan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723215441/https://www.refurb.me/blog/how-long-do-airpods-last-battery-lifespan |archive-date=2025-07-23 |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=RefurbMe}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Apple Service and Repair for AirPods |url=https://support.apple.com/airpods/repair?services=service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260220050147/https://support.apple.com/airpods/repair?services=service |archive-date=2026-02-20 |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Apple}}</ref>

Up until September 22, 2023, Apple used their proprietary Lightning connector on the AirPods' charging case.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borresen |first=Jennifer |date=22 Sep 2023 |title=iPhone 15 pro uses USB-C charger: An exploration of how Apple got here |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/09/22/iphone-15-pro-usb-c-charger-explained/70916655007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104044745/https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/09/22/iphone-15-pro-usb-c-charger-explained/70916655007/ |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=USA Today}}</ref>

Apple has a program to service batteries and purchase replacement individual AirPods and charging cases. The replacement of one or both AirPods or the charging case has a lower price with AppleCare+ than without. Apple offers battery servicing for free with AppleCare+ and for a fee without.<ref name=":2" />

===User Freedom===
The features that AirPods are marketed with restrict interoperability because they are only available within the Apple ecosystem. When used with non-Apple products the functionality is on par with a basic wireless headphone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Christian |date=2025-03-26 |title=Don't use AirPods with Android |url=https://www.soundguys.com/dont-use-airpods-android-20767/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407044828/https://www.soundguys.com/dont-use-airpods-android-20767/ |archive-date=2025-04-07 |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=SOUNDGUYS}}</ref> However there have been projects attempting to regain marketed features of AirPods with non-Apple products, such as LibrePods.<ref>https://github.com/cysgodi/librepods ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251220145417/https://github.com/cysgodi/librepods Archived])</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardwick |first=Tim |date=2025-11-21 |title=This Free App Unlocks AirPods Features on Android Devices |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/21/librepods-unlocks-airpods-features-android/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218044102/https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/21/librepods-unlocks-airpods-features-android/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025|access-date=2026-02-02 |website=MacRumors}}</ref>

==Incidents==
The following is a list of major incidents involving the Apple AirPods line of headphones.

==='''AirPods Pro Sound Issue''' '''(2020-)'''===
The "Rattlegate" issue—officially known as the '''AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues'''—was one of the most frustrating chapters for early AirPods Pro adopters. It essentially turned premium earbuds into high-priced maracas.

The problem primarily affected the '''first-generation AirPods Pro'''. Users reported:

*'''Crackling or static sounds''' that intensified in loud environments, during exercise, or while talking on the phone.
*'''Rattling noises''' triggered by head movement or footsteps.
*'''Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) failure''', resulting in a loss of bass or an increase in background noise (like street or airplane sounds).

Apple officially acknowledged the hardware defect in '''October 2020'''. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-30 |title=AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues |url=https://support.apple.com/airpods-pro-service-program-sound-issues |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604082736/https://support.apple.com/airpods-pro-service-program-sound-issues |archive-date=2022-06-04 |access-date=}}</ref> determined that a "small percentage" of units manufactured '''before October 2020''' were defective. They launched a global service program to replace affected earbuds (left, right, or both) free of charge, provided they passed a diagnostic test at an Apple Store or authorized provider. Originally, the program covered units for two years after their first retail sale. In late 2021, Apple quietly extended this to '''three years'''.

Despite Apple’s claim that only units made before October 2020 were affected, a significant number of users who bought AirPods Pro in 2021 and 2022 reported the '''exact same rattling and crackling.''' Because Apple’s internal database marks units manufactured after October 2020 as "fixed," these serial numbers are ineligible for the free service program. If you are outside of your standard 1-year warranty (or 2-year AppleCare+ window), Apple's official stance is usually to charge a "repair" fee that often costs as much as a new pair.

Many experts believe the issue was a fundamental design flaw in the first-gen hardware (likely related to glue degradation or sweat ingress affecting the internal microphones) rather than a specific "bad batch." As of 2026, the service program has officially ended for the vast majority of users because the "three years from date of sale" window has expired for almost everyone who owned the original Gen 1 model. Because of the refusal to cover units made after 2020 and the fact that many "replacement" units eventually failed too, Apple has faced several class-action lawsuits (notably ''LaBella v. Apple Inc.''). These suits allege that Apple continued to sell a defective product and misled consumers about the "fix."

===AirPods Max Moisture Issue (2021)===
Main Article: [[AirPods Max Moisture Issue]][[File:Airpods-max-moisture.jpeg|alt=A photo showing the moisture buildup inside user PatrikGustafsson's Headphones after exercising on an indoor bike. |thumb|Moisture buildup inside user PatrikGustafsson's AirPods Max after exercising on an indoor bike.]]
Many Apple AirPods Max owners have reported moisture issues with the headphones. More specifically, after around 30 or more minutes of use, users have reported a visible buildup of moisture near the speakers of the ear-cups.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-04 |title=Condensation in the Airpods Max |url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252267540?sortBy=rank |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=Apple Community}}</ref> Depending on the severity of the moisture buildup present, the headphones could fail between five days of use in the more extreme cases, to around three months of use.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Condensation broke my device, Apple says there's nothing they can do. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Airpodsmax/comments/s64ztx/condensation_broke_my_device_apple_says_theres/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119175742/https://www.reddit.com/r/Airpodsmax/comments/s64ztx/condensation_broke_my_device_apple_says_theres/ |archive-date=2025-01-19 |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=Reddit |publisher=pavanayii}}</ref>

Additional conditions contributing to this issue include exercise or climate/humidity levels present when wearing the headphones.

Apple has historically treated the AirPods Max condensation issues as "Liquid Damage", voiding warranties and likely prompting a $300 to $500 replacement.<ref name=":3" />

The AirPods Max moisture issue has been reported thousands of times to Apple and it is very likely that Apple is aware of the issue. Apple has not provided an official statement, warranty exemption, or additional replacement discount for this product.

Overall, this issue demonstrates a general lack of quality control, customer engagement, and transparency.

===AirPods Connection Vulnerability [CVE-2024-27867] (2025)===
Main Article: [[AirPods Connection Vulnerability]][[File:NIST-re.png|alt=CVE-2024-27867 NIST Assessment|thumb|CVE-2024-27867 NIST Assessment]]
A security vulnerability was discovered by Jonas Dreßler, this vulnerability would allow an attacker within the bluetooth range of any AirPods device to potentially spoof the source device address, redirecting it to another device controlled by the attacker and gaining control of the AirPods.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-24 |title=CVE-2024-27867 Detail |url=https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27867 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251109172541/https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27867 |archive-date=2025-11-09 |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=National Institute of Standards and Technology {{!}} NIST}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-25 |title=About the security content of AirPods Firmware Update 6A326, AirPods Firmware Update 6F8, and Beats Firmware Update 6F8 |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120907 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224082150/https://support.apple.com/en-us/120907 |archive-date=2026-02-24 |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=Apple Support |publisher=Apple Inc.}}</ref>

==Products==

*AirPods (1st generation) (December 13, 2016<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2 March 2025 |title=Every Apple AirPods Generation: A Full History of Release Dates - IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/all-apple-airpods-release-dates-in-order |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104044220/https://www.ign.com/articles/all-apple-airpods-release-dates-in-order |archive-date=2026-01-04 |website=IGN}}</ref>)
*AirPods (2nd generation) (March 20, 2019<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods Pro (1st generation) (October 30, 2019<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods Max (December 15, 2020<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods (3rd generation) (October 26, 2021<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods Pro 2 (previously 2nd generation) (September 23, 2022<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods 4/ANC (September 20, 2024<ref name=":0" />)
==See also==
*[[Apple]]
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Airpods]]
[[Category:Apple]]

AirPods

2026-04-02T19:00:22Z

178.114.189.75: Added Airpods Pro Sound Issue

{{StubNotice}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{ProductLineCargo
| ReleaseYear = 2016-12-13
| Website = https://apple.com/airpods
| Logo = AirPods logo.svg
|ArticleType=ProductLine
|Category=Wireless earbuds
|Company=Apple
|Description= AirPods are wireless earbuds designed by Apple.
|InProduction=Yes}}

'''AirPods''' are wireless earbuds designed by [[Apple]]. They first debuted on September 07, 2016 alongside the iPhone 7 and were released on December 13, 2016.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 Sep 2016 |title=Apple reinvents the wireless headphone with AirPods |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2016/09/apple-reinvents-the-wireless-headphones-with-airpods/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104044455/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2016/09/apple-reinvents-the-wireless-headphones-with-airpods/ |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
AirPods are designed in a way that makes them unrepairable, leading to customers having to buy a new pair after a few years of use. Apple can replace them but will not repair them or help you do it yourself. According to an expert from iFixit:<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Dalvin |date=20 Apr 2023 |title=Apple Doesn’t Repair AirPods. Here’s Why. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omMPJEoZGJE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=omMPJEoZGJE |archive-date=2026-02-02 |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Youtube |publisher=Wall Street Journal}}</ref><blockquote>If you want to take this apart, non-destructively, to replace the batteries, as far as I know, that's impossible.[[File:Airpods-pro-3-carepricecomparison.png|alt=an image depicting the price difference between normal Apple service and AppleCare service.|thumb|Price difference between normal Apple service and AppleCare service.]]</blockquote>The rechargeable batteries in AirPods can experience fast-tracked degradation after a certain number of battery cycles<ref name=":1" /> with two-year-old sets lasting for less than half of the advertised five hours.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elalj |first=Simo |date=2024-04-16 |title=How Long Do AirPods Last? (Battery & Lifespan) |url=https://www.refurb.me/blog/how-long-do-airpods-last-battery-lifespan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723215441/https://www.refurb.me/blog/how-long-do-airpods-last-battery-lifespan |archive-date=2025-07-23 |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=RefurbMe}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Apple Service and Repair for AirPods |url=https://support.apple.com/airpods/repair?services=service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260220050147/https://support.apple.com/airpods/repair?services=service |archive-date=2026-02-20 |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Apple}}</ref>

Up until September 22, 2023, Apple used their proprietary Lightning connector on the AirPods' charging case.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borresen |first=Jennifer |date=22 Sep 2023 |title=iPhone 15 pro uses USB-C charger: An exploration of how Apple got here |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/09/22/iphone-15-pro-usb-c-charger-explained/70916655007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104044745/https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/09/22/iphone-15-pro-usb-c-charger-explained/70916655007/ |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=USA Today}}</ref>

Apple has a program to service batteries and purchase replacement individual AirPods and charging cases. The replacement of one or both AirPods or the charging case has a lower price with AppleCare+ than without. Apple offers battery servicing for free with AppleCare+ and for a fee without.<ref name=":2" />

===User Freedom===
The features that AirPods are marketed with restrict interoperability because they are only available within the Apple ecosystem. When used with non-Apple products the functionality is on par with a basic wireless headphone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Christian |date=2025-03-26 |title=Don't use AirPods with Android |url=https://www.soundguys.com/dont-use-airpods-android-20767/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407044828/https://www.soundguys.com/dont-use-airpods-android-20767/ |archive-date=2025-04-07 |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=SOUNDGUYS}}</ref> However there have been projects attempting to regain marketed features of AirPods with non-Apple products, such as LibrePods.<ref>https://github.com/cysgodi/librepods ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251220145417/https://github.com/cysgodi/librepods Archived])</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardwick |first=Tim |date=2025-11-21 |title=This Free App Unlocks AirPods Features on Android Devices |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/21/librepods-unlocks-airpods-features-android/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218044102/https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/21/librepods-unlocks-airpods-features-android/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025|access-date=2026-02-02 |website=MacRumors}}</ref>

==Incidents==
The following is a list of major incidents involving the Apple AirPods line of headphones.

=== '''AirPods Pro Sound Issue''' '''(2020-)''' ===
The "Rattlegate" issue—officially known as the '''AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues'''—was one of the most frustrating chapters for early AirPods Pro adopters. It essentially turned premium earbuds into high-priced maracas.

The problem primarily affected the '''first-generation AirPods Pro'''. Users reported:

* '''Crackling or static sounds''' that intensified in loud environments, during exercise, or while talking on the phone.
* '''Rattling noises''' triggered by head movement or footsteps.
* '''Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) failure''', resulting in a loss of bass or an increase in background noise (like street or airplane sounds).

Apple officially acknowledged the hardware defect in '''October 2020'''. Apple determined that a "small percentage" of units manufactured '''before October 2020''' were defective. They launched a global service program to replace affected earbuds (left, right, or both) free of charge, provided they passed a diagnostic test at an Apple Store or authorized provider. Originally, the program covered units for two years after their first retail sale. In late 2021, Apple quietly extended this to '''three years'''.

Despite Apple’s claim that only units made before October 2020 were affected, a significant number of users who bought AirPods Pro in 2021 and 2022 reported the '''exact same rattling and crackling.''' Because Apple’s internal database marks units manufactured after October 2020 as "fixed," these serial numbers are ineligible for the free service program. If you are outside of your standard 1-year warranty (or 2-year AppleCare+ window), Apple's official stance is usually to charge a "repair" fee that often costs as much as a new pair.

Many experts believe the issue was a fundamental design flaw in the first-gen hardware (likely related to glue degradation or sweat ingress affecting the internal microphones) rather than a specific "bad batch." As of 2026, the service program has officially ended for the vast majority of users because the "three years from date of sale" window has expired for almost everyone who owned the original Gen 1 model. Because of the refusal to cover units made after 2020 and the fact that many "replacement" units eventually failed too, Apple has faced several class-action lawsuits (notably ''LaBella v. Apple Inc.''). These suits allege that Apple continued to sell a defective product and misled consumers about the "fix."

===AirPods Max Moisture Issue (2021)===
Main Article: [[AirPods Max Moisture Issue]][[File:Airpods-max-moisture.jpeg|alt=A photo showing the moisture buildup inside user PatrikGustafsson's Headphones after exercising on an indoor bike. |thumb|Moisture buildup inside user PatrikGustafsson's AirPods Max after exercising on an indoor bike.]]
Many Apple AirPods Max owners have reported moisture issues with the headphones. More specifically, after around 30 or more minutes of use, users have reported a visible buildup of moisture near the speakers of the ear-cups.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-04 |title=Condensation in the Airpods Max |url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252267540?sortBy=rank |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=Apple Community}}</ref> Depending on the severity of the moisture buildup present, the headphones could fail between five days of use in the more extreme cases, to around three months of use.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Condensation broke my device, Apple says there's nothing they can do. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Airpodsmax/comments/s64ztx/condensation_broke_my_device_apple_says_theres/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119175742/https://www.reddit.com/r/Airpodsmax/comments/s64ztx/condensation_broke_my_device_apple_says_theres/ |archive-date=2025-01-19 |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=Reddit |publisher=pavanayii}}</ref>

Additional conditions contributing to this issue include exercise or climate/humidity levels present when wearing the headphones.

Apple has historically treated the AirPods Max condensation issues as "Liquid Damage", voiding warranties and likely prompting a $300 to $500 replacement.<ref name=":3" />

The AirPods Max moisture issue has been reported thousands of times to Apple and it is very likely that Apple is aware of the issue. Apple has not provided an official statement, warranty exemption, or additional replacement discount for this product.

Overall, this issue demonstrates a general lack of quality control, customer engagement, and transparency.

===AirPods Connection Vulnerability [CVE-2024-27867] (2025)===
Main Article: [[AirPods Connection Vulnerability]][[File:NIST-re.png|alt=CVE-2024-27867 NIST Assessment|thumb|CVE-2024-27867 NIST Assessment]]
A security vulnerability was discovered by Jonas Dreßler, this vulnerability would allow an attacker within the bluetooth range of any AirPods device to potentially spoof the source device address, redirecting it to another device controlled by the attacker and gaining control of the AirPods.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-24 |title=CVE-2024-27867 Detail |url=https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27867 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251109172541/https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27867 |archive-date=2025-11-09 |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=National Institute of Standards and Technology {{!}} NIST}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-25 |title=About the security content of AirPods Firmware Update 6A326, AirPods Firmware Update 6F8, and Beats Firmware Update 6F8 |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120907 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224082150/https://support.apple.com/en-us/120907 |archive-date=2026-02-24 |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=Apple Support |publisher=Apple Inc.}}</ref>

==Products==

*AirPods (1st generation) (December 13, 2016<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2 March 2025 |title=Every Apple AirPods Generation: A Full History of Release Dates - IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/all-apple-airpods-release-dates-in-order |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104044220/https://www.ign.com/articles/all-apple-airpods-release-dates-in-order |archive-date=2026-01-04 |website=IGN}}</ref>)
*AirPods (2nd generation) (March 20, 2019<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods Pro (1st generation) (October 30, 2019<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods Max (December 15, 2020<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods (3rd generation) (October 26, 2021<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods Pro 2 (previously 2nd generation) (September 23, 2022<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods 4/ANC (September 20, 2024<ref name=":0" />)
==See also==
*[[Apple]]
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Airpods]]
[[Category:Apple]]