How to tell if AirPods are fake?

Author: Prof. Israel Dibbert  |  Last update: Sunday, June 15, 2025

There are 4 locations with serial numbers on the Airpods set: 1 at the bottom of the box, one under the lid of the case, and 1 on each side of the airpods. If any of these are missing, the set is guaranteed to be a fake.

How do I check if my AirPods are real?

The status light is on the front of the case. And the serial number is on the underside of the lid. The Wireless Charging Case for AirPods 4 (ANC) is compatible with two AirPods 4 (ANC) earbuds.

How to tell if AirPods are 100% real?

If the AirPods ear fit test and the noise cancellation and transparency modes all work, the AirPods are probably real. If the particular AirPods-related model you have acquired should support MagSafe charging (check the part numbers), then if that MagSafe charging does work can point to a legitimate device.

Do fake AirPods have 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.

How to know if AirPods are real or fake on Reddit?

Check the serial number on ear pieces above the stem, both left and right one have different serial numbers and on the inside of case. best way to tell is to you phone 🔦 flashlight and put light on inside of upper part of airpod case, you will see actual tech from outside. fake ones are all empty.

How To Check if ANY AirPods are Original or Fake!

How do you find my AirPods if they are fake?

Do fake AirPods appear in Find My iPhone? No, fake AirPods will not appear in Find My on iPhone. The features like Find My earbuds won't work with counterfeits, as they're Apple-exclusive features.

How can you tell if AirPods are original and duplicate?

Counterfeiters are getting better every day, but one area where they might mess up is the serial number. Every original AirPods box comes with a serial number, so make sure you head over to the Apple serial number checker page and type in the serial number of your wireless earbuds to see if they are genuine or not.

How to check if an Apple product is real?

Different ways to find out if your iPhone is real or fake
  1. Inspect the Packaging and Accessories.
  2. Verify the Serial Number and IMEI.
  3. Examine the build quality.
  4. Check the Software and Features.
  5. Visit an authorised Apple service centre.

Can iPhones detect fake AirPods?

Moreover, once your AirPods are connected to the iPhone or a new Mac, the Bluetooth settings will show the AirPods icon next to the device name. If you see a generic speaker icon instead of AirPods, you're holding counterfeit AirPods.

Is it OK to charge AirPods to 100%?

AirPods and their cases use Lithium-ion batteries which can be damaged by overcharging, but AirPods cases are designed to stop charging when the battery reaches 100%. Your AirPod case will simply stop the charging process once the battery is fully charged.

How to check if Apple earpods are original?

  1. Logo Placement: The Apple logo and branding should be clear, consistent, and perfectly aligned.
  2. Finish: Genuine Apple earphones have a smooth, high-quality finish with no rough edges or mismatched parts.
  3. Cable: The Type-C cable on authentic Apple earphones feels durable, smooth, and resistant to tangling.

Are my AirPods fake if they say assembled in Vietnam?

Apple is trying to "diversify" their production lines, therefore some of their AirPods are made in China still, while some of the newer ones are made in Vietnam. All are designed in California by Apple however, so the quality should be the same regardless.

Do AirPod Pros make a noise when you open them?

They are not supposed to make a sound when you open the case. If it does so repeatedly, then it is a fake. I just had this issue, and the fake airpods were completely brand new and looked legit.

How to check if AirPods are real?

Serial number under an Airpod. Serial numbers underneath the case have to match the box. If they do not match, the box may be genuine and the case may have been swapped out.

How do I authenticate my Apple device?

Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security. Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication, then tap Continue. Enter a trusted phone number (a phone number where you want to receive verification codes for two-factor authentication), then tap Next. A verification code is sent to your trusted phone number.

How to check AirPods serial number?

AirPods or AirPods Pro

You can find the serial number on the underside of the lid of your Charging Case, Wireless Charging Case, MagSafe Charging Case, Lightning Charging Case for AirPods 3, or MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning or USB-C) for AirPods Pro 2.

Can original AirPods be tracked?

Go to the Find My app on an iPhone or iPad that you previously paired with your AirPods. Tap Devices, tap the name of your AirPods, then tap Find. Start moving around to locate your AirPods and follow the onscreen instructions.

How to tell if AirPods Max are fake?

The Best Way to Identify Fake Airpods Max

To verify the authenticity of your AirPods, check the serial number printed on the underside of each earbud. Ensure that both earbuds display the same serial number. Go to Apple's Check Coverage website, enter the serial number, and view the results.

What happens if you wear fake AirPods?

Some fake AirPods may contain toxic materials such as lead, cadmium, and phthalates, which can be harmful if ingested or inhaled. Additionally, the earbuds themselves may not fit securely in your ears, which could lead to ear infections or other health issues.

Do fake AirPods light up?

A good indicator for fake AirPods would be the status lights and buttons. AirPods don't have status lights or any buttons, only the case has them.

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