Lost AirPods Pro Case - you can do that!

Most readers will already know what the AirPods or AirPods Pro are, what their differences are, and why I like them so much. For those few who don't know yet, here are a few properties and features that I think make the Apple headphones stand out.

What are AirPods Pro?

AirPods are wireless in-ear headphones that integrate perfectly into the Apple ecosystem. Instead of a plug connection on the iPhone, these headphones connect via Bluetooth, with Apple using a specially developed chip, which also enables the AirPods to be located – but more on that later.

For maximum autonomy, the headphones have their own charging case. This charges the AirPods when they are inserted in the case. In this way, you can fully charge the AirPods several times before the battery in the case also has to be charged.

With the earphones and the associated AirPods Pro case, you can not only listen to music wirelessly for hours, but you can also use them to switch between Apple devices such as iPad, iPhone and Mac very easily.

The AirPods Pro differ from the "normal" AirPods in that they seal completely in the ear with the silicone insert, while the AirPods "hang" in the ears and let the outside noise through. The AirPods Pro also have active noise cancellation, which the AirPods don't offer.

Create a replacement if the original case no longer works or is missing

Of course it makes a difference whether you have misplaced the charging case or whether you might have even lost it or whether it is simply defective. Depending on what the case is, you will find the right solution here:

• If you "just" can't find the case, you can still hope that you might find it again with the case's location function. This works via the "Where is?"-App, which you can run on the iPhone as well as on the iPad or Mac.
• The situation is different if the AirPods case is defective. Then you have no choice but to replace it. The good news is that you can get this case new from Apple if you enter the serial number of your AirPods or AirPod Pro on their website and order the right charger as the original charger.

What to do if AirPods Pro or your case is lost?

Any loss is annoying, regardless of how much what was lost cost or how much the replacement will cost. However, it is positive that both the earphones – both together or individually (either the right or left earplug) – and the charging case can be ordered from Apple.

So if you lost your AirPod Pro case or e.g. If you need a replacement for the right or left AirPod, for example, you can search on eBay or Amazon with the relevant information (model, year of manufacture, generation) and check whether it might be cheaper there than in the Apple shop.

When it comes to spare parts, however, it is important to know exactly which part you need and the serial number of your device or the existing or still working parts so that you receive compatible parts when you buy spare parts.

Location function: really lost or just misplaced?

If you can't figure out where you might have lost your charging case or your AirPods, try a special function on your Apple computer, tablet or smartphone. Maybe your device "answers" and you don't need a replacement.

The Find My app runs on newer Macs, iPads, and iPhones, and it can locate all of those devices, and of course the AirPods and AirTags too. When you locate the AirPods, you can use the app to see the last location the devices reported to Apple. If you're using the new AirPods Pro 2, you can even use the app to play a sound from the case. So you might still find the case after all.

The where-is search function also works online via the corresponding Apple Cloud – iCloud.com. Please note, however, that all of these options only work if you have enabled location on your devices. However, the AirPods Pro come standard with this.

Lost case of AirPods or AirPods Pro?

Unfortunately, this happens more often than you think, because the headphones are often taken on trips. Whether on the train or in the hotel, if you want to listen to music for a long time, you need the charging case, as it is also the transport case.

It's a pity if you forgot this case in the rush or when getting in and out, but the AirPods themselves are still in your ears.

Of course, this is an expensive loss, but you don't need to buy a completely new AirPods, you can replace both the charging case and the individual AirPods earphones (left or right) with Apple.

You can get the spare parts from the manufacturer Apple via their online shop or one of the shops, as well as in a well-stocked specialist shop or on the Internet via the various online offers.

When you order the parts from Apple, all you have to do is enter the serial number of your AirPods and Apple will tell you which are the correct replacement parts.

Where can I find the AirPods serial number?

You can find the serial number of the AirPods in three places, as can Apple's here explained:

1. In the lid of the charging case (printed very small!).
2. In the iPhone settings: Settings → Bluetooth → Your AirPods → Serial Number
3. On the box of your AirPods.

This number allows Apple to identify which AirPod model you have and what version it is.

How much do the Apple headphones and the associated charging case cost?

There are different versions of Apple's AirPods, such as the AirPods (1st, 2nd or 3rd generation) and the AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation). Here is a small overview of the prices I have at Apple here was able to determine:

AirPods themselves (any generation)

• AirPods (replacement earbuds): 89 EUR
• AirPods Pro (replacement earbuds): 109 EUR

AirPods Case

• MagSafe Charging Case (AirPods Pro 2nd Gen): 119 EUR
• Lightning Charging Case (AirPods 3rd Gen): 89 EUR
• Wireless charging case for AirPods Pro: 119 EUR
• Wireless charging case for AirPods 2nd gen and older: 99 EUR
• MagSafe charging case for AirPods Pro: 119 EUR
• MagSafe charging case for AirPods (3rd gen): 99 EUR
• Charging case AirPods (2nd gen and older): 74,99 EUR

Prices are for individual earbuds and not for a full pair. Quoting from the Apple site:

You can replace a single AirPod (left or right AirPod) or a charging case for a fee. Use our Get Estimate tool to determine potential costs if you purchase service directly from Apple. If you choose another service provider, they may set their own fees, so ask them for an estimate.

While you may be able to get cheaper AirPod cases or even AirPods earbuds on eBay or other retailers, I would recommend ordering them through Apple. So you can be sure that you are getting the right version and, above all, you can be sure that the batteries in the AirPods or AirPods Pro are fresh and have not been stored for a long time.

Is it worth buying individual parts?

One thing to think about when re-ordering replacement parts is the battery status. If the AirPods (Pro) have been around for a year or two and have been used diligently, then the battery in the charging case and in the two AirPods are no longer the best.

If you then buy the case again, it may be that the AirPods earphones only have a running time of 5 minutes after another year and you have to buy them again because the battery is defective.

If the AirPods are more than 2 years old, I would advise buying a new set right away. The chance is also high that there is a new model with longer battery life or that the older model is sold somewhere on Amazon or another retailer at a good price.

Jen Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He appears as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with problems of a technical nature. In his free time he drives electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with his iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions for current bugs.