Apple AirPods Pro Users Discover Way to Get Free Replacement Tips

There's a cost-free method to replacing your AirPods Pro ear tips (From: Shawnn Tan, unsplash.com)
There’s a cost-free method to replacing your AirPods Pro ear tips (From: Shawnn Tan, unsplash.com)

All you need are AppleCare+ and a desktop computer.

There's a cost-free method to replacing your AirPods Pro ear tips (From: Shawnn Tan, unsplash.com)
There’s a cost-free method to replacing your AirPods Pro ear tips (From: Shawnn Tan, unsplash.com)

One of the biggest frustrations for earbuds owners is losing or damaging the ear tips. One minor casualty can ruin the entire experience. Fortunately for AirPods Pro users, it turns out that Apple provides free replacement tips using a simple method.

This trick was discovered by users on MacRumors’ forums and later reported by the website itself. User boshii was the first person to point this out and adds that he had AppleCare+ included in his AirPods Pro purchase.

”I’m not sure if it’s an ‌AppleCare‌+ thing or not but I set up the replacement online and there was no fee. I was under the impression that there will be a cost even with ‌AppleCare‌+.”

He continues by explaining how others can take advantage of the cost-free replacement. The other condition, aside from owning AppleCare+, is doing every step on a desktop computer.

”I’m at support.apple.com. Select AirPods, select replace AirPod or an ear tip, replace your AirPods Pro ear tips, order replacements. This is all on a desktop computer.”

It’s a useful trick that can save you a few bucks and loads of headaches. It also prevents you from searching online for third-party ear tips that might not fit on the earbuds or last that long.

More People Chime In

Another user, Doebldodl, proved that this technique definitely works and even provided a short unboxing of the package he received in the mail:

Forum user Doebldodl shared an unboxing of the replacement ear tips he received (From: MacRumors Forums)
Forum user Doebldodl shared an unboxing of the replacement ear tips he received (From: MacRumors Forums)

There’s a lot of wasted cardboard and paper, but he did indeed get the replacement ear tips he was expecting through AppleCare+. On top of that, there’s no need to send your original AirPods Pro back. The notice “No part return required” appears after a successful replacement request.

While some view this as good aftersales treatment from Apple, others pointed out that the company has more to gain by providing free ear tips to customers:

”If you’re paying $249 for the Airpods Pro and $29 for AppleCare+, it’s not going to hurt Apple to give out a free set of tips that cost <$1 to make. Call it customer goodwill,” wrote user sw1tcher.

The Cost of No AppleCare+

So, how much would non-AppleCare+ users have to pay for replacement tips? Apple’s support page lists replacement ear tips at $3.95 per pair. That’s a pretty penny for a basic accessory, but necessary for those without premium aftersales support.

Either way, it’s best to take extra care of your AirPods Pro and its tips. If you simply don’t want to deal with this potential issue however, go for the regular AirPods and their lack of removable ear tips.

If you simply don’t want to deal with this potential issue, go for the regular AirPods and their lack of removable ear tips.

1 comment

  1. You can do this even without AppleCare+. I do it all the time now since my AirPods pro tips keep on ripping randomly. Does that ever happen to anyone else, or is it just me. About every month or two my tip will start to rip where the silicone meets the plastic. I use them just normally, tho.

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