How to Tell if AirPods Are Fake or Real: 6 Tested & Proven Methods

We bought counterfeit AirPods to determine what differentiates them from the authentic pair. Here’s the ultimate guide on how to tell if your AirPods or AirPods Pro are fake.

Aside from Apple losing $3.2 billion a year due to fake AirPods, the users’ safety also gets at risk with reports of fake AirPods exploding.

Unfortunately, authenticating AirPods is tricky. Fake AirPods are getting better every year, with some passing the serial number check and even having AirPod-exclusive features.

But identifying fakes from originals is possible, especially with Apple’s new features and a keen eye. And we investigated fake AirPods to list all the possible ways you can do so. Read on as we explore the six best ways to determine if your AirPods are real or fake.

1. Identify Counterfeit AirPods Using iOS Devices

With the launch of iOS 16, you can quickly tell if your AirPods are original or fake on your iOS devices. No need to go to great lengths to verify your AirPods’ legitimacy!

This update now shows a prompt message on your iOS device when the AirPods you’re pairing with it are not a genuine pair.

Simply connect your AirPods by opening the lid and placing them close to your iOS device (with Bluetooth turned on) to test this prompt.

However, this new feature does not stop you from pairing a fake pair of AirPods with your iOS devices. It simply informs users of the authenticity of their AirPods and highlights that the fake pair of AirPods might not work as well as a genuine pair.

2. Try Exclusive Features You Won’t Find on Fake AirPods

AirPods are packed with game-changing features that only Apple’s software could do. These exclusive Apple-only features can be a great way to tell whether your AirPods are fake or not.

Here’s how to check if your AirPods are original or fake via the software:

See if you can find them on the ‘Find My’ app

Find My is a platform created by Apple that allows users to track the location of their lost or misplaced devices. This platform can be accessed through its mobile app or the iCloud website.

You can’t avoid feeling awful about losing a pair of AirPods, authentic or not. The difference is that you can find your authentic AirPods again using the Find My app, while your counterfeit AirPods will likely be lost forever.

Original AirPods will automatically be added to your Find My account the moment you pair them with an iOS device. Original AirPods can also utilize all functions of the Find My platform, including Play Sound and Directions.

To check this, simply go to the Find My app and see if your AirPods appear on the list in the Devices tab.

Check the details on the ‘i’ icon

The More Info, or ‘i’, button next to your devices can tell you whether they are legitimate Apple products or third-party Bluetooth devices.

To access the More Info screen on your iOS device:

1. Go to Settings.

   

2. Tap Bluetooth.

   

3. Tap the blue circle with an ‘i’ in it next to your AirPods or AirPods Pro.

   

Real AirPods’ More Info button will have the model number, serial number, firmware version, and ‘More’ displayed on the screen.

However, fake AirPods’ More Info screen will appear like other Bluetooth products: displaying the name, limited device info, and ‘Forget this Device.’

It’s a good idea to also double-check the AirPods’ model number and firmware version to ensure their authenticity. Here’s a quick reference:

Don’t worry if you have outdated firmware. For instance, if you’re holding on to a pair of AirPods Pro (1st generation) and see that your firmware version is 3A283, you simply need to update them.

3. Tell if AirPods Are Fake via the Serial Number

If you’re buying from a third party and don’t have time to verify the AirPods’ authenticity through a software check, there are quite a few checks you can do. One of which is through the AirPods’ serial number.

The serial number is the fingerprint of a product. It is a combination of numbers and letters assigned only to a specific unit produced.

This allows Apple to track specific units during inventory.

Aside from that, Apple also uses serial numbers to identify defective batches. For users, the serial number is proof that the product actually came from Apple and not any other manufacturer.

Where is the serial number on AirPods?

Here’s where to find your AirPods’ serial number:

• Bluetooth Settings: If you are using iOS or iPadOS you can tap your AirPods’ More Info button and find the serial number.

  

• AirPods Case: If you own AirPods or AirPods Pro and are using the original case, it will have the same serial number as your AirPods. Locate it on the underside of the flip-open lid.

  

• AirPods Max Ear Cushion: For AirPods Max, remove the left ear cushion. Underneath, you’ll find the serial number next to an Apple logo near the speaker holes.

  

• Box: If you have the authentic box for your AirPods, the serial number will be on the barcode at the back. Make sure this matches the serial number on the inside of the charging case’s lid.

  

How to check the serial number authenticity of AirPods

Once you have your AirPods’ or AirPods Pro’s serial number, check if it is real or fake by simply heading to the Apple Coverage Check page. If your AirPods are original, you’ll see this:

4. Spot Fake AirPods via the Packaging

Anyone who knows a thing or two about tech brands also knows how much Apple pays attention to the details, even when it comes to the packaging.

Because of this, counterfeit manufacturers seem to have a harder time producing high-quality packaging than the earbuds themselves.

Here’s how to spot fake AirPods and AirPods Pro via the packaging:

• Check for misspellings and wrong information
• Check the box contents and logo
• Check the font and color consistency
• Test for Snug fit

Check for misspellings and wrong information

A company like Apple would not have typographical errors on the box itself or even in the manuals. These materials go through multiple rounds of proofreaders and copywriters before printing.

If you spot any errors on your AirPods’ packaging, you’re probably holding a counterfeit one.

Check the box contents and logo

You should also know how to spot fake AirPods and AirPods Pro by checking what’s inside the box. Oftentimes, counterfeit AirPods will only have the manual. However, authentic AirPods would have two more documents, aside from the manual — the safety sheet and the warranty card.

Apart from that, the logo is also one of the first things people check out in the AirPods’ box. The original one has a sharper and more defined edge along the bite area. The counterfeit one, however, might have rounded edges.

Check the font and color consistency

Font differences can be hard to spot, especially if you don’t have the real thing as a reference.

Based on our experience, common counterfeit AirPods have a thinner and taller font with lesser space in between the letters.

You could also use the colors of the text to determine authenticity. Although subtly, you would notice that the fake ones seem to use a darker shade of gray for the texts.

Test for snug fit

Who knew that even the suction you feel when opening an Apple product’s box was intentionally put there?

Apple boxes are composed of two parts: an inner box that houses the contents and an outer box with the image of the product. To open the box, you need to raise the outer box and wait for the inner packaging to release itself naturally. This is something that most counterfeit products cannot fabricate.

To check this, get yourself another box from an authentic Apple product. Familiarize yourself with the drag and suction from that box and compare it to your AirPods’ box. If the sensation isn’t the same, then you probably have counterfeit AirPods.

5. Physical Checks to Help Identify Real vs. Fake AirPods

The AirPods may simply look like a wireless version of the classic EarPods, but they are so much more than that. Apple truly showed its detail-oriented side with the AirPods, so most counterfeit manufacturers are prone to missing out on the little things.

Unlike the packaging, though, the physical differences between real and fake AirPods are a lot more subtle. To an untrained eye, high-quality couniterfeits can easily pass as originals. So, below are the key areas you can use to authenticate them.

• Check the diffuser
• Check the bottom of AirPods
• Check the speaker grills and IR sensors
• Check the charging case

Check the diffuser

The sound diffuser is the elongated rounded line you see on your AirPods beside the circular IR sensor. The sound diffuser has to be aligned with the black circle beside it.

For fake AirPods, the grills are likely not to be that polished, usually having random flat surfaces mixed up with the grills.

Check the bottom of the AirPods

The bottom part of the AirPods is where the charging contacts are. This part of the AirPods magnetically connects to their charging case.

For authentic AirPods, this part will have an oval shape that takes up around half of the whole space. Fake AirPods could have larger and more circular ovals. Also, the grills on the fake AirPods might not be as refined as the authentic ones.

Check the speaker grills and IR sensors

The transparency of the speaker grills is also a critical difference between authentic and fake AirPods. You’ll see the silhouette of two circular speakers with authentic ones, which might not be visible if you have fakes.

Check the charging case

Lastly, the charging case is also home to some key areas where you can determine whether the AirPods are original or not. For this, you need to basically look for any build defects that Apple probably won’t commit.

The key areas include the multifunction button, charging port, and the text below the hinge.

Multifunction button and text

Check whether the button is secured and level with the case. Often, fake AirPods would have buttons that are either loose or raised.

The text above the button should say “Designed by Apple in California” and “Assembled in China.”

For this, watch out for spacing errors, wrong font use, and the use of a darker shade for the text.

Charging port

The charging port is lined with metal. Authentic AirPods are lined thinly, while the fake ones would have slightly thicker ones.

Other examples of clear fakes are anything that doesn’t have a lightning port or AirPods Pro cases that don’t work with Apple-approved wireless chargers.

6. Unique Authenticity Checks for AirPods Pro

While a lot of the factors we’ve discussed so far work with both the standard AirPods and AirPods Pro, there are some distinguishing marks that exclusively indicate if your AirPods Pro are fake.

This is because AirPods Pro have unique tech and a different design than standard AirPods. For instance, AirPods 1, 2, & 3 are earbuds, while AirPods Pro (1 & 2) are in-ear monitors.

You can learn how to spot fake AirPods Pro by checking the force sensor and shape:

Check the AirPods Pro force sensor

The force sensor is one of the highlights of the AirPods Pro controls and can be found along the flat part of the stem of each AirPods Pro earbud. Instead of being a proper button, the force sensor detects pressure from users squeezing the stem of their AirPods.

On the other hand, fake AirPods Pros will likely have a standard button or tap controls along the side, if they have any.

Identify design differences between fake vs. authentic AirPods Pro

Apple highly protects the design and shape of its AirPods and AirPods Pro products, effectively claiming trademark infringement on products with a similar shape. This protective stance is so strong that similar-looking earbuds have even been seized by US Customs.

As a result, looking at them is a great way to tell if the AirPods you have are real or fake.

Counterfeit AirPods are often different at the ear pieces (the part that go in your ears).

Real AirPods Pro have earpieces that are oval-shaped. In contrast, it is common to see fakes with circular earpieces.

Conclusion

Authenticating a pair of AirPods is as tricky as ever. Even with the strictest checks in place, you might find yourself saddled with a fake pair of AirPods. With the things we discussed above, though, you should be properly armed to take on the challenge.

Hopefully, you now won’t be easily fooled by those who want to take advantage of your desire to possess these high-end products at enviably “discounted prices.”

The only thing left for you to do is to go get those AirPods now!

What inspections worked for you? Do you have any other tricks up your sleeve? Tell us about it in the comments below!