iFixit - Answers With Device "AirPods"

AirPods: Charging Airpods without the charging case.

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:34:22 -0700

Hi,

Ive lost the charging case for my airpods, is there an alternative way i can charge the airpods?

Maybe by applying the correct voltage to the power connections on the bottom of each airpod?

I do plan on getting placement charging cradle but its not possible for me at the moment.

Thanks.

⟐ Commented March 17, 2026 at 16:34 MST

AirPods: Why is my Airpod case not turning on or connecting to my phone?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:38:43 -0700

I got Airpods in early March and they've been working and feeling great. I dampened them with a moist towelette which might be the problem. I charged them overnight, but it the morning when I opened the case the small light did not light up green, orange, or white and my phone did not connect to them automatically or manually. It may be a charger cord problem. The outlet was doing well with other devices.

⟐ Answered July 04, 2025 at 13:38 MST

AirPods: Right AirPod dying quicker than the left

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:24:06 -0700

So I have Gen 1 AirPods with the 2nd Gen Wireless Charging Case. I’ve noticed that my right AirPod is actually dying quicker. I charge them both to 100% and use them at the same time. My mic for them is set to automatic, not on specific side. Any ideas on what could be causing this? Thanks!

⟐ Commented July 07, 2025 at 9:24 MST

AirPods: Case not working. Only when charging

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 05:55:55 -0700

My airpods case does not light up when I open the case. But if a put a charger in the light flashes white really fast. And my airpods is on right now and I don't know how to turn they off. Because my case doesn't do anything

Plz help

⟐ Answered March 09, 2023 at 5:55 MST

AirPods: Why air pods volume so low

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 22:39:43 -0700

My air pods sound is like really really low I wanted to see if you could fix the volume for me

⟐ Answer accepted December 26, 2022 at 22:39 MST

AirPods: My Right Airpod is quieter than left.

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 08:47:14 -0700

Hi, about a week ago I started to notice that my right airpod is quieter than the left one. I thought ear wax was the problem so I bought alcohol and carefully cleaned them, and after that carefully sucked the holes. I had no improvement at all. But what I noticed is that when I try to suck left airpod from the center grill I have less airflow than with the right one. What can I do?

⟐ Commented June 04, 2025 at 8:47 MST

AirPods: Are there any electronics in the AirPod case lid?

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 11:07:08 -0700

For reasons I won't go into, I wish the AirPod case lid was not so form fitting around the tops of the AirPods. If I knew there were no electronics of import in the lid itself, I could make the changes I desire with a Dremel tool. I watched the teardown video but removing the lid lining was not performed. I'm hoping the lid is free of electronics and that the hinge connection is all that is going on there.

Can you comment?

⟐ Answered October 07, 2020 at 11:07 MST

AirPods: How to charge airpods without case

Tue, 14 May 2024 03:29:31 -0700

How to connect aripods without case and how to charge them without cass

⟐ Answered May 14, 2024 at 3:29 MST

AirPods: 1st gen AirPods disconnecting after firmware upgrade

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 11:52:54 -0700

My AirPods disconnect after a short while when in use with iOS devices. There are no problems when using non-Apple products or in use with a MacBook.

The AirPods were working absolutely fine for more than two years. The problem started in July 2019 which happened to coincide with the automatic upgrade of the firmware to ver. 6.7.8.

My wife’s AirPods which were bought at the same time as mine are displaying the exact same problems. We are both on firmware 6.8.8 now but the problem continues. I have consulted Apple and they have offered to replace the AirPods against a repair fee but I have declined this as I am certain the problem is related to the firmware.

Unfortunately there is no way to roll back the firmware. I suppose my only option is to wait for Apple to update the current defect firmware to one that resolves the problem. However I could suspect that this is done intentionally to get me to upgrade to newer AirPods.

Does anyone have any advice?

⟐ Answer accepted December 21, 2022 at 11:52 MST

AirPods: How can I remove microabrasions and dark spots from airpods' case?

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 22:45:09 -0700

Sadly, the airpods' case scratches easily. I had them for one day in my pocket and already had some microabrasions and one tiny dark spot that does not rub off... I was wondering if there's any product that could remove those micro-abrasions and this tiny dark spot!

Thank you!

⟐ Answered March 21, 2021 at 22:45 MST

AirPods: How to fix water-damaged case

Mon, 22 Oct 2018 05:41:21 -0700

Hello!

I have been given some water damaged AirPods to fix. Apparently the actual AirPods work, but the case doesn’t after being in contact with water. I do not know how long it was in water, or any details like that. How would I go about fixing this?

⟐ Commented October 22, 2018 at 5:41 MST

AirPods: Has anyone ever received this error?

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 22:39:37 -0700

Has anyone ever received the error for the AirPods with a ! near the left or right pod? Right pod won't work at all.

Thank you

⟐ Answer accepted December 26, 2022 at 22:39 MST

AirPods: Help I washed my airpods in a washing machine

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 16:11:44 -0700

Guys my AirPods and airpods charging case I washed it in a washing machine bymistakely forgot I had it in my pocket help…the green led light is not illuminating it doesn't work help if any one has any solution about it plz do share

⟐ Commented August 01, 2023 at 16:11 MST

AirPods: My right airpod dont work

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 12:41:57 -0700

It wont work there no volume at all only the left on right

⟐ Answered July 06, 2024 at 12:41 MST

AirPods: Can I clean AirPods using an ultrasonic cleaner?

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 12:20:23 -0700

Hi! I have had a pair of 1st Gen AirPods for a couple of years and as expected, they got clogged up with ear wax. Using a toothpick doesn't really do the trick as the wax is stuck in the mesh.

My question is: as I already have an ultrasonic cleaner, could I use it to clean them? Alternatively, can I use some cleaning alcohol on the mesh to try to get it out of there (PhoneFixCraft does this on YouTube).

I am afraid the liquid might damage it, but the alternative is buying a new pair, which would really be a waste as they work perfectly otherwise.

⟐ Answer accepted March 05, 2023 at 12:20 MST

AirPods: Left airpod is dying after only a few minutes of use.

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 14:15:09 -0700

I use AirPods gen 1 and even with a full charge, the left Airpod dies after 3-5 minutes of using it. I have to put it in the case for a few seconds to get the sound back, but it dies again in a few minutes. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

⟐ Commented December 26, 2022 at 14:15 MST

AirPods: Airpods pair with iPhone 6S Plus while in case

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 09:51:52 -0700

After I washed my Airpods in the laundry, not in dryer, I removed and let dry for a day. Now the Airpods regularly and randomly connect to my iPhone 6S Plus. iPhone displays the Airpods pop up tile when this happens. this happens when both pods are in the case with the case lid closed. This is causing connectivity issues with vehicle bluetooth connect to iPhone as I assume they are randomly connecting. Also the Airpods battery indicator is in a constant state of charging and the case battery is decreasing rapidly now. Down to 50% in 10 hours with 1-2 hours of Airpod use. Airpods seem to work and charge fine other wise. Any ideas?

⟐ Answer accepted December 22, 2022 at 9:51 MST

AirPods: Why are 1 of my airpods popping out of the case

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 02:04:28 -0700

My left airpod won't charge and its not goin all the way in the case, I already got a new pair with the year warinty and tried all of the cleaning methods with a q-tip how can this be fixed

⟐ Answer accepted December 22, 2022 at 2:04 MST

AirPods: No AirPods animation in iPhone when Opened Closed lid

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 01:52:14 -0700

The animation in iPhone is only when first Pairing.

Can problem be I got just one Right AirPod? That would be strange.

AirPods: Why my right airpods not working

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 11:24:41 -0700

I tiered everything there is water and I didn't dropped it so what is the problem

⟐ Answered August 18, 2023 at 11:24 MST