May 23, 2023 • By Robertin Apple
airpods, AirPods Pro, apple, Apple AirPods
AirPods are one of the most popular wireless earbuds on the market, but they’re also a popular target for counterfeiters. If you’re thinking about buying AirPods, it’s important to know how to spot fake ones.
AirPods Pro seems to be the most commonly faked, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful when buying regular AirPods, or the over-the-ear style AirPods Max. And truth be told, some of the fakes are actually really good, but don’t stress it because there are some telltale signs that will help you spot fake AirPods. Of course, there is always one piece of advice that cannot be ignored:
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
Regardless of what you call them; fakes, clones, or even non-genuine – we’re fairly certain that most people only want genuine Apple AirPods – so keep reading to learn how you can identify fake AirPods and avoid being scammed out of your hard-earned money.
Check the serial number with Apple
An excellent first step is to check the serial number with Apple using the “Check Device Coverage” support page.
- Make sure the AirPods serial number is recognized by Apple.
This check should be considered a quick and easy first step, but even if the check comes back good, this shouldn’t be the only thing you check so make sure to continue reading.
Some things to keep in mind when using Apple’s serial number check
Consider the serial number: It is possible for a counterfeiter to use cloned serial numbers.
For example, the counterfeiter takes the serial number from a 100% legit pair of AirPods and prints that on the box for their 100% non-legit pair of AirPods.
To that point, most cloned AirPods do actually use a valid serial number, but they often use a single serial number for both L and R AirPods. A genuine set of AirPods will show a different serial number for the L and R sides. This can be checked on the AirPods settings page by tapping on Serial Number (when tapped, it will cycle through the main serial number, the L side serial number, and the R side serial number).
Consider the status of the warranty: Apple AirPods come with “one year of hardware repair coverage through its limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support.”
For example, when I checked the serial number for my AirPods Pro (purchased in June 2021), Apple notes the coverage has expired, which isn’t a surprise. But if you’re checking the serial number of a set of 2nd-generation AirPods Pro (released in September 2022) before September 2023, you should not get a coverage expired message.
If you notice any issues when checking the serial number, remember that you may have mistyped the serial number on the first try. But provided you are certain the serial number was entered correctly, the coverage expired message should be considered a red flag.
Take a look at the packaging
This could be as simple as the font being different, or different images on the box. You may also notice odd spaces between words or even some spelling errors. But let’s go with the assumption the font looks good, and there are no weird and obvious mistakes.
- Make sure the serial number on the box matches the serial number on the AirPods.
The serial number for AirPods or AirPods Pro is located on the inside of the charging case. You can find it on the inside of the lid. The serial number for AirPods Max can be found on the inside of the left earpiece.
This serial number should match the serial number on the box, and it should also match the AirPods serial number shown in the settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Or, if you’re buying a pair of sealed AirPods you should check the seal. Apple uses a tear-away pull-tab style plasticized paper seal, and that seal can often reveal whether the AirPods are genuine. A genuine Apple AirPods box uses a straight cut for the seal, whereas, a non-genuine Apple AirPods box will often use perforated paper seals. Another item to take note of is the plasticized paper seal that Apple uses should not leave any paper remnants once torn.
Check the AirPods and the case
When checking the AirPods and the case you should start with the obvious, such as whether they appear genuine – fake AirPods are often built from lower-quality materials. You may also want to pull up a picture of AirPods on the Apple website and do a quick comparison to make sure everything looks the same.
Some other items to check are as follows:
- Make sure the AirPods appear on the Find My app on your iPhone
- Also…make sure you can ring the AirPods from the Find My app on your iPhone
- Make sure the charging port on the case is set properly, and not off or loose
- Make sure the case has the small circular button on the back, and that the button is perfectly flat
On your iPhone or iPad, navigate to Settings -> Bluetooth -> locate the AirPods in the list of Bluetooth devices and tap the “i” for information that is located towards the right side of your screen. Keep in mind, the information screen will show different information depending on whether the AirPods are connected or not connected. When they are not connected, you’ll get basic details such as the name, model number, serial number, etc. When connected, you’ll get access to settings and more.
Consult your iPhone or iPad
If you open the AirPods case near your iPhone or iPad you will get a pop-up. The specific message will be different depending on whether the AirPods are paired, not paired, or not genuine.
- If the AirPods are not yet paired you will be prompted to connect them
- If the AirPods are paired you will get a pop-up showing the battery status
- If the AirPods are not-genuine you may get a pop-up indicating that Apple “cannot verify AirPods”
You should also check the firmware version on the AirPods. This can be done by navigating to Settings -> Bluetooth on your iPhone. Once in the Bluetooth section, just tap the “i” for information that is located towards the right side of your screen and then scroll down to the About section to find the firmware version.
You’ll want to make sure the AirPods are running the latest version of firmware, and if they aren’t, make sure the AirPods automatically update in a day or two. If the AirPods are running an older version of firmware and they do not update after a few days, they are most likely clones.
You can find the most recent firmware version number for each of the different AirPods on Apple’s “About firmware updates for AirPods” support page.
Go hands-on and test the AirPods yourself
Put simply, spend a few minutes playing with the AirPods and make sure all of the features work as expected. AirPods features vary from model to model, and what follows is a brief list of features by model:
AirPods (2nd generation)
- Hey Siri voice recognition
- Microphone taking phone calls
- Double-tap to play or skip forward when listening to music
- They pause the audio when you remove them from your ears
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
- Fit Test
- Hey Siri voice recognition
- Microphone for taking phone calls
- Active Noise Cancellation
- Transparency mode
- Spatial Audio
- Swipe up or down to adjust the volume
- Press to play or pause music or answer or end phone calls
- Hold to switch between noise canceling and transparency modes
AirPods Max
- Hey Siri voice recognition
- Microphone for taking phone calls
- Active Noise Cancellation
- Transparency mode
- Spatial Audio
- Digital Crown to control volume, skip tracks, answer calls, and summon Siri
On the positive side of going through this check – once you’re finished testing the features – you’ll be considered an expert on AirPods and will be able to take full advantage of every feature offered.
If you have concerns about a current listing for AirPods on Swappa or have concerns about a pair of AirPods you recently purchased from a Swappa seller, you can reach out to our support team.
Otherwise, if you’re not sure whether your AirPods are real or fake, you can contact Apple for assistance. A visit to your local Apple Genius can help you verify the authenticity of your AirPods and provide you with support if you have any problems.
