How to give your old AirPods a second life
AirPods are great, but let’s face it, they’re not the most economical purchase you can make. That’s why if you happen to accidentally break one, or you want to sell them to upgrade to the latest model, you might be wondering what your options are with regard to how you dispose of or repurpose your AirPods. In this article, we’ll explore some of your options and hopefully help make the process of recycling, replacing, or selling your AirPods less daunting than it might seem at first glance.
Step 1 – Send old airpods in for recycling
It’s time for something new, but first you have to make sure your old Apple accessories get a second lease on life. If you haven’t already, send in your damaged earbuds or charging case back to Apple by dropping them off at any Apple Store or participating retailer. The recycling process is simple—just follow these steps: Let go of that fear of damaging brand new earbuds: In many cases, headphones sent in for recycling still work perfectly fine and can be sold or used again as replacement parts by third-party repair shops. Often times it’s just one small component that has stopped working and no longer causes damage to other components or devices. Because each piece is removed separately, there are no issues with cross contamination between pieces. This means they can be resold individually without risking further damage to other units. Your device will never stop working: Even if all parts of your device are not reusable (like batteries), they will still find their way into good hands thanks to companies specialized in recycling electronics responsibly and properly. For example, some companies use high tech processes like separation technology and material sorting so that even unusable materials like nickel from lithium batteries can be reused for new products. They’ve even made an infographic showing how we’re doing everything we possibly can to keep resources out of landfills!
Step 2 – Sell it
One of Apple’s genius ideas for its wireless earbuds is that they can be used independently from one another. You only need one in order to access Siri or make calls, for example. If you’re using a set of older AirPods and want to sell them, then keep in mind that there may not be much demand for them from non-Apple customers; if you want an easy sale, then take advantage of Apple’s trade-in program. As mentioned above, Apple offers up $65 back on new AirPods when you trade in your old ones. That credit can either be applied towards new headphones or statement credit on purchases elsewhere. And even if you don’t have an account with Apple Music, Beats 1 Radio will provide some entertainment while your AirPods are being shipped off. There’s also always eBay, which lets you post items for free. Just remember that shipping costs could eat into any profit you make, especially since each case could end up costing between $10 and $20.
Step 3 – Give it away
Many charitable organizations, including Goodwill and Salvation Army, accept donations of used electronic devices. If you’d like to have your old electronics disposed of properly rather than leaving them in a landfill somewhere, these are great options. (A bonus: It’s tax deductible!) You can also check whether your neighborhood collects e-waste on an individual basis; many cities do. For example, San Francisco runs an E-Cycle program where you can find out what items they accept and set up delivery for pick-up.
Step 4 – Replace it
While Apple has not released any official data about how long its AirPods last, some users have reported that their earbuds stopped working after just a few months. The good news is that Apple will replace your faulty pair if you take them into an Apple Store or call customer service with proof of purchase within one year. Just remember that if you’re still under warranty when your AirPods stop working, you’ll be able to get a replacement pair for free—no questions asked! Also note that if you’ve got multiple pairs of broken headphones or other accessories from different manufacturers, there’s no guarantee that all brands will honor their warranties at once.
I’m Ansak Mahir from Sri Lanka. Technology enthusiast from a young age. Currently an undergraduate of BSC in Software Engineering (Kingston UK) and BSC (hons) in Information Technology & Management (University of Moratuwa). I love blogging and spreading the knowledge in a unique perspective. I’m also a reputed freelancer for web design and development
