Yes, you can get a single (left or right) AirPod and can even get the charging case separately. However, depending on where you stay and the model in question, the cost might seem prohibitive.
Did you just
forget where you had kept either of your AirPods? Since the AirPods are both tiny as well as wireless(with the exception of AirPods Max), it is
common to lose track of where you might have kept them. Locating them in such cases is not always easy, especially
if they have been turned off.
In the latter case, tracking apps will be able to display only the location where the AirPods still had some charge left. So if you begin to wonder whether can you buy a single AirPod, do not worry. There is still the option to order one as a replacement directly from Apple.
[toc]
What you will need
- The serial number of your AirPods
Apple requires that you give them the
serial number of your AirPods in order to get the missing one as a replacement. You can get the serial number from the
settings of a paired iOS/iPadOS device, or find it
printed on the device which you still have as well as on the product
packaging and
receipt/invoice.
In the
case of AirPods and
AirPods Pro, the
same serial number is applicable to the AirPods as well as the charging case.
Step 1: Open the browser
Visit the
AirPods Service & Repair – Apple Support website.
Scroll down and click on
Get service.
Step 2: Describe the problem
Select
Lost or Missing AirPods, and then select
Replace lost AirPods. Now choose the model which you want replacing and then click
Continue.
Step 3: Check out the options available
If not already signed in, you can now do so to know what options are available to you. On this page, you will also find articles that will help in the process of finding out more information.
Note that if you have an
AppleCare+ plan, it won’t cover the cost of replacement in case of lost or stolen AirPods. As of the time of writing, the estimated cost of replacement in the US (if doing it directly from Apple) is about
USD $69 in the case of AirPods and about
USD $89 for AirPods Pro.
If you don’t want to order online, you can even
book an appointment with an Apple store. You will still need a serial number though.
The replacement AirPod which you get
won’t have the same warranty as in case of ones bought fresh. It will be
longer of two durations:
- Any remaining warranty on your existing AirPods
- 90 days
So, in case your lost AirPod has no remaining warranty left, the replacement given will have a warranty of 90 days only.
Given this fact, you might feel tempted to go for a brand-new pair of AirPods, especially if you know of an offer that makes it cheaper to get a new pair instead of getting a replacement for the missing one.
If you don’t already have a charging case, then that cost too will have to be factored in. It is often cheaper to get a refurbished combination of
AirPods and charging case from third-party retailers.
What if I don’t want to order from Apple?
While there are many third-party sources for getting a missing AirPod, you would be taking
risks with the item quality and any warranty. Third-party retailers do offer some good deals from time to time. However, the products you get may be defective and may not have undergone the same amount of testing or quality checks which Apple-certified refurbished goods do.
You can also ask around in your social circles to check and see whether anyone is able to
lend a spare AirPod to you. Even if there isn’t anyone available to do so, note that your remaining AirPod
will still continue to function normally.
If you find the replacement cost to be outside your budget, there are always
competing products available from other vendors such as Beats. Many of these will cost less than AirPods.
What about my remaining AirPod? Will the replacement work in sync with it?
Yes, it is possible and quick to reestablish the pairing of the AirPods among themselves and with the charging case. However, you must be sure that the AirPods belong to the same generation.
This hassle is automatically avoided if ordering directly from Apple. Since they have the
serial number of your remaining AirPod, they know what model will be compatible to complete the pair successfully.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why AirPods
may not be working properly, but simply losing one of the pairs is very frustrating. This frustration gets
worse when you realize that tracking apps for such AirPods typically make use of
Bluetooth, which has a
much lower range compared to Wi-Fi or cellular signal.
So don’t lose hope if one of your AirPods pairs gets lost, stolen, or even broken. As long as you don’t mind the cost, getting a replacement is possible.