Key Takeaways
- Suspiciously low cost AirPods are most certainly fakes. Belief the serial quantity — if it is invalid, they are not legit.
- Test for distinctive iPhone options like spatial audio. {Hardware} errors, odd colours, and eartips are giveaways.
- Use an iPhone for connection. Actual AirPods will show connection cues and battery life. Do not be fooled by fakes.
Whether or not you are contemplating shopping for some AirPods you discovered low cost, otherwise you purchased your AirPods secondhand, otherwise you had been gifted some that appear “off,” it is in all probability price it to test and see in case your AirPods are literally actual. That is very true in case you discover any key features are lacking from them, or if they do not look fairly proper.
With a eager eye and realizing what to search for, you may fairly simply decide whether or not your AirPods are faux by checking just a few key elements. A few of these may be achieved before you purchase them, and a few of them after they’re in your possession.
Best AirPods Pro 2 skins for your USB-C case
Uninterested in the plain, white AirPods case? Stand out from the remaining with these second- gen AirPods Professional 2 skins.
1 Think about if the deal is just too good
The pods is likely to be too low cost to be true
Allef Vinicius on Unsplash
Once you see AirPods on sale for a ridiculously low cost worth, you are in all probability coping with a faux. Basically, in case you’re seeing AirPods Pro going for underneath $150 new, or the AirPods Max for lower than $400, it is best to positively be skeptical. Older generations is likely to be resold for less expensive, so do maintain that in thoughts. If you happen to’re shopping for supposedly refurbished AirPods, you may count on them to be a good quantity lower than the unique worth, however not by quite a bit.
Best AirPods deals: Save up to $60 on noise-cancelling AirPods Pro
Nearly all Apple AirPods fashions are discounted proper now, making it the proper time for a headphone improve.
2 Search for the serial quantity
Test the field, your settings, and on the case
The underside of the field the AirPods got here in ought to have a serial quantity on it. If you happen to enter that serial quantity into Apple’s coverage checker, it’s going to let you know whether or not it is coated underneath guarantee at the moment, and if the serial quantity is not legitimate. If the serial quantity is not legitimate, you’ve got obtained your self a case of pretend AirPods. Nevertheless, whether it is legitimate, that is not a assure that they are actual.
If you do not have the case the AirPods got here in, you may as well test the serial quantity by going to Settings > Bluetooth and clicking the knowledge button subsequent to the AirPods within the Bluetooth menu. Moreover, in case your headset is actual, there will likely be a serial quantity on the within of the AirPods case beneath the cap.
You probably have the field the AirPods got here in, you may examine the serial quantity on the field to the serial quantity on the AirPods. If the numbers do not match, one thing is amiss.
3 Test the options when related to an iPhone
See if all of the settings try
There are options that include AirPods particularly for iPhone customers that are not precisely straightforward to copy for counterfeiters. If you happen to try a few these options, you may fairly actually decide whether or not you’ve got obtained a faux on/in your fingers.
First, earlier than pairing them, simply open the case with the AirPods inside close to your cellphone. If the AirPods are for positive actual, a card will present up on the display permitting you to connect with the AirPods. After pairing, you may then open the AirPods case by the cellphone to see if it reveals you a card on the display with battery life info. If it does, you’ve got obtained some actual AirPods. If not, there is likely to be an issue.
You can even test to see if you need to use spatial audio with them in the event that they’re supposedly one of many newer AirPods. If you cannot arrange and use spatial audio, these earbuds usually are not what they appear.
Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting? How to troubleshoot and fix
Apple’s AirPods are designed to seamlessly join and disconnect, however here is what to do once they do not work.
4 Search for {hardware} errors
Is the colour wonky? Eartips wrongly sized?
Plenty of the time, counterfeiting is finished fairly sloppily. If you happen to take a better have a look at the packaging, you may in all probability discover just a few errors proper off the bat, like spelling errors, formatting errors, and unusual typefaces. Moreover, the earbuds won’t look fairly like AirPods, they is likely to be formed in a different way, have a barely completely different colour, or possibly the mistaken form of ear ideas. Possibly the charging port is micro USB as a substitute of USB-C or the older Lightning ports. These are all telltale indicators that you have some counterfeit AirPods in your fingers.
3 tricks for making your AirPods sound louder
These are my go-to’s when my AirPods aren’t enjoying my music or podcasts as loud as I need.
5
FAQ
Q: What do I do if my AirPods are faux?
If you happen to’ve decided your AirPods are fakes, there’s sadly not a ton that you are able to do. Apple will not allow you to return them as a result of it wasn’t the producer, they usually will not exchange them with actual ones. You possibly can return them to the vendor you bought them from and hope that you simply get your a reimbursement, however that’s as much as the vendor. You can even attempt getting in contact together with your bank card firm in case you paid that approach and see if you will get a cost again, however that may not work out both.
Q: How do I keep away from by chance shopping for faux AirPods?
It is vital to apply discretion when shopping for any tech merchandise from a 3rd occasion vendor, so you do not end up on this scenario within the first place, particularly since Apple merchandise are so typically counterfeited. Ensure you purchase AirPods straight from Apple or from approved Apple resellers.
Q: What if I need extra budget-friendly AirPods?
If you happen to’re in search of new earbuds however haven’t got the cash to drop on new AirPods, as a substitute of shopping for faux AirPods for reasonable, think about shopping for some extra affordable earbuds as a substitute. Our AV editor examined the OnePlus Buds 3 lately and located they had been an awesome different to AirPods, at just below $100. There are a number of actually nice, inexpensive choices on the market which can be a approach higher buy than counterfeit AirPods.
Trending Merchandise
