Guide to change the battery of some AirPods

Options to change the battery of the AirPods

As with all battery change processes in technological devices, and especially Apple, there are several ways to do it. This is just what we want to tell you in this post, what are the different existing options and what you can expect from each of them, so that you can choose the one that is most worthwhile for you.

Visit an Apple Store

The first option that we want to talk to you about is the one that we consider the most recommended , since it is the one that guarantees you the best results . In fact, we could say that at the end of the whole process you will have practically new AirPods. It is about taking your headphones to an Apple Store or carrying out the repair through the technical service of the Cupertino company itself.

Obviously, this option mainly has a negative point, and it is the price that it will cost you to be able to replace the battery of your AirPods. This is the most expensive option of all, but we say again, it is the safest, since it is Apple itself, through its technical service, that will be in charge of replacing the battery of your headphones. Plus, rest assured that if they are damaged during the repair process, Apple will provide you with a fully functional replacement unit. The prices to be able to replace the battery of the headphones are the following.

• With AppleCare+
  • AirPods Max: 0 euros.
  • AirPods: 0 euros.
  • AirPods Pro: 0 euros.
  • Charging case: 0 euros.
• Without AppleCare+
  • AirPods Max: 85 euros.
  • AirPods: 54.99 euros each.
  • AirPods Pro: 54.99 euros each.
  • Charging case: 54.99 euros.

Go to an authorized center

Another alternative that offers just as positive results as if you did it through Apple itself, is to go to a center authorized by the Cupertino company. In fact, the guarantees that at the end of the entire repair process you will have your AirPods as new are the same as if you did it in an Apple Store through its technical service.

These centers authorized by Apple have fully qualified professionals to carry out this type of process, so if you don’t have an Apple Store nearby, going to one of these repair centers is the ideal option if you want to have the guarantee that your AirPods fit perfectly after completing the battery replacement.

Do it for yourself

The third option that we put on the table is that you carry out the repair yourself. The first thing you have to know is that the AirPods battery replacement process is really complicated to carry out, you have to follow the steps carefully and you even have to have certain knowledge to make sure that you are going to be successful and not you are going to leave your AirPods totally useless.

Without a doubt, it is the least recommended option of all, since there is a high risk that the AirPods do not end up completely well, even being able to leave them completely damaged. Also, you have to keep in mind that once you open the AirPods, they will lose all the warranty they have left, therefore, it is a risk that you have to be aware of.

Steps to change the battery of some AirPods

As we have mentioned before, and given the risk of carrying out this replacement process yourself, you have to bear in mind that the steps to follow are complicated and require a lot of skill to be able to carry them out successfully, so Therefore, we ask you to rethink the option of changing the battery of your AirPods through Apple technical service or by going to a repair center authorized by the Cupertino company itself.

Now, if you maintain the idea of being yourself or yourself who is in charge of replacing the AirPods battery, here are the steps to follow with each of the AirPods models. However, we tell you again that it is a process that requires a lot of patience and skill, so we recommend that you carry it out with enough time, without rushing and with the right materials.

AirPods

We start with the AirPods, both first and second generation, since the process to replace the battery is exactly the same, since they are physically practically identical inside. Our recommendation is that you find a time when you have plenty of time to be able to do each step thoroughly and without rushing.

1. Use a scalpel to pry open the lower microphone unit.
2. Gently open the internal measurement cable and let it drop.
3. Clean the internal glue.
4. Fix AirPods to a surface.
5. Add a small amount of solder for faster heat conduction.
6. Using a syringe, squeeze glue around the outside of the battery to soften the foam rubber.
7. Using a pair of tweezers, shake the antenna, release the unbinding agent, and insert a thin piece of plastic into the center of the battery and inside of the antenna to loosen the battery and antenna.
8. Heat the top of the headset with a heat gun to soften the rubber padding.
9. Use the hook and pliers to slowly pull out the battery .
10. Prepare the sticker on the back of the adhesive to cut the appropriate size.
11. Insert the cut piece of paper into the center of the battery cable and the antenna cable to make it easier for the battery to reduce friction.
12. It uses the core of the damaged battery to press the charged battery down.
13. Solder the positive electrode of the battery.
14. Solder the negative electrode of the battery and stabilize with B-7000 glue.
15. Fix the glued AirPods with fixing clips and wait for the glue to solidify.

AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro

In the same way that the first and second generation AirPods are identical and therefore share the battery replacement process, the same happens with the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, which although in this case are not completely the same, they do. When changing the battery, the steps you have to carry out are the same.

Once again, we again place a lot of emphasis on reminding you that the entire process has to be carried out very carefully, carrying out each movement with patience and making sure that you are doing it correctly, since the risk that the AirPods can be damaged in any way. irremediable is very high. Here are the steps you have to follow.

1. Remove the cushion from the AirPods Pro.
2. Heat the AirPods with a heat gun at 100 degrees for 2-3 minutes.
3. Attach the earphones to the specialized mount and pull the pin hard.
4. Very carefully and without much force, remove the adhesive with tweezers.
5. Remove the adhesive from the pads, without damaging the flex cable.
6. Heat with a soldering iron at 365 degrees to disconnect the flex cable from the receiver.
7. Insulate with aluminum foil.
8. Heat with a soldering iron at 365 degrees to separate the power module from the battery.
9. Using tweezers, pry the battery out a bit .
10. Remove the tin from the flex cable with a 365 degree soldering iron and wick the solder before soldering. Then clean it with PCB Cleaner.
11. Stick the double-sided tape on the anode of the battery.
12. Connect the flex cable , heat the soldering iron at 365 degrees to solder the anode and cathode of the battery. Also, insulate with aluminum foil when soldering the anode.
13. Solder the receiver flex cable .
14. Connect the flex cable and close the AirPods case.
15. Put the AirPods in their charging case.
16. Close the AirPods Pro case and remove any excess adhesive with rubbing alcohol . After an hour, the adhesive will have set.
17. 
18. Remove the fixing tape and clean again with alcohol.

AirPods Max

Unfortunately for all AirPods Max users who were thinking of changing the battery of these devices on their own, we have bad news for them, and that is that being such recent devices, the process through which has not yet been published. You can replace the battery in these headphones.

Therefore, if you are having problems with the autonomy of your AirPods Max, the only way you have to be able to carry out a battery replacement is by going to one of the two official means that we have mentioned at the beginning of this post, and thus you will be able to make sure that the battery of your headphones is in perfect condition.