Yes, you can buy a single replacement AirPod from Apple
Apple sells individual AirPods as replacements, not just complete pairs. You order through Apple's website, an Apple Store, or an authorized retailer, and the cost is roughly half the price of a full set. A single AirPod Pro costs around $89, and a standard AirPod costs around $69, though prices vary by region and model.
The catch is that Apple only sells replacements for current models. If you own an older generation AirPod, you may find the replacement unavailable, which means buying a new pair becomes your only option. You also need proof of purchase or an Apple ID linked to the original purchase to order a replacement — Apple does not sell singles to random customers without verification.
Replacement AirPods come with a charging case, though some retailers sell the earbud alone at a slightly lower price if you already have a case. Check what you actually need before ordering, because returning an unopened case is simpler than returning an opened one.
Key Takeaways
- Apple sells single replacement AirPods through its website, physical stores, and authorized retailers for roughly half the price of a complete pair.
- You need proof of purchase or an Apple ID connected to your original AirPods to order a replacement from Apple directly.
- Replacement AirPods typically come with a charging case, but some retailers sell the earbud alone if you do not need a second case.
- If your AirPods are more than three or four generations old, Apple may no longer sell replacements, forcing you to buy a new pair instead.
- Third-party sellers on Amazon and eBay offer cheaper single AirPods, but these carry risk of counterfeits and no Apple warranty.
How to order a replacement AirPod from Apple
Go to apple.com and search for "AirPods replacement" or navigate to the AirPods product page and look for the "Buy Replacement" option. Select your model — AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, AirPods (standard), or AirPods Pro 2 — and choose whether you want the left or right earbud. Add it to your cart and proceed to checkout.
Apple will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID. If your original AirPods were purchased through Apple and registered to that ID, the order will go through without additional verification. If you bought them elsewhere or do not have the original Apple ID, you may be asked to provide a receipt or proof of purchase. Keep a photo of your receipt or order confirmation email handy if you think you will need it.
Shipping typically takes three to five business days. If you need a replacement faster, visit an Apple Store in person — they often have stock and can hand you a replacement the same day, though availability varies by location and model.
What to do if Apple no longer sells your model
Apple stops selling replacements for AirPods that are roughly three to four generations old. If you own first-generation AirPods or an older AirPods Pro model and Apple's website shows "unavailable," your options narrow.
Your best path is to contact Apple Support directly through apple.com/support or call 1-800-MY-APPLE. Explain that you lost or damaged one earbud and ask whether they can send a replacement under warranty or as a one-time courtesy. Apple sometimes makes exceptions for customers with a history of purchases, though there is no may provide.
If Apple declines, you can buy a new pair of current-generation AirPods, which often cost less than you might expect during sales events. Alternatively, third-party marketplaces sell older AirPods models, but this route carries the risk of counterfeits and no manufacturer warranty.
Third-party sellers and the counterfeit risk
Amazon, eBay, and other marketplaces list single AirPods at prices well below Apple's official cost. Some of these are legitimate — sellers clearing old stock or reselling unopened replacements they no longer need. Many others are counterfeits that look identical but fail within weeks or months.
Counterfeit AirPods typically have weaker battery life, poor sound quality, and Bluetooth connectivity that drops frequently. They also will not pair reliably with your Apple devices and may not show battery percentage in your iPhone's status bar. If you buy from a third-party seller, check their return policy and read recent reviews that mention whether the product arrived authentic.
The safest third-party option is a certified refurbished AirPod from Apple itself, sold through apple.com. These are tested, cleaned, and come with a one-year warranty — the same as new ones. Refurbished replacements cost about 15 percent less than new and are genuinely Apple products, not counterfeits.
Warranty coverage for lost or damaged AirPods
Apple's standard one-year warranty covers manufacturing defects — a speaker that stops working or a battery that fails prematurely. It does not cover loss, theft, or physical damage from dropping or water exposure, even though AirPods Pro are water-resistant.
If you damaged your AirPod through your own use, Apple will not replace it free under warranty. You will pay the full replacement price. If it straightforward stopped working with no clear cause, Apple may replace it as a courtesy, especially if you are within the first year of purchase and have not used your courtesy replacement already.
AppleCare+ for AirPods extends coverage to accidental damage and loss, but it costs extra and must be purchased within 60 days of buying your AirPods. If you already own AirPods without AppleCare+, you cannot add it retroactively. AppleCare+ covers two incidents of accidental damage per year, with a service fee of around $29 per incident.
Pairing a replacement AirPod with your existing case
When your replacement AirPod arrives, it will pair automatically with your existing case and the other earbud. Open the case, place the new AirPod inside, and hold the case near your iPhone or iPad. Within a few seconds, a setup screen appears on your device — tap "Connect" and you are done.
If the automatic pairing does not work, open the case, press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light inside flashes amber and white. Then hold your iPhone near the case and follow the on-screen prompts. This manual reset clears the case's memory and forces it to re-pair all AirPods from scratch.
Your replacement AirPod will inherit all your settings — noise cancellation preferences, transparency mode, and which device it connects to first. You do not need to reconfigure anything. If you had custom audio settings for a specific app, those will explore to the new AirPod as well.
Cost comparison: replacement versus new pair
A single replacement AirPod Pro costs around $89, while a new pair costs around $249. If you lose one earbud, buying a replacement saves you roughly $160. For standard AirPods, the math is similar — a single replacement at $69 versus a new pair at $129.
The calculation changes if your AirPods are old enough that Apple no longer sells replacements. In that case, you are comparing the price of a used or counterfeit single AirPod (which may fail quickly) against a new pair of current-generation AirPods. New AirPods often drop in price during Black Friday, back-to-school sales, or when a new model launches, so timing your purchase can save money.
If you frequently lose or damage AirPods, AppleCare+ becomes cost-effective. After two incidents in a year, the service fees alone ($58) approach the cost of a single replacement. If you have a pattern of loss, AppleCare+ on your next pair may be worth the upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy just the earbud without the charging case?
Some retailers sell single AirPods without a case at a slightly lower price, but Apple's official store includes a case with every replacement. If you order from Apple and do not need a second case, you can return the unopened case within 14 days for a refund of the case's portion of the cost — contact Apple Support to arrange this.
What if I lost both AirPods but still have the case?
You will need to buy a new pair, not two replacements. Apple's replacement service is designed for single lost or damaged earbuds, not for replacing both at once. A new pair costs less than buying two replacements separately anyway.
Do replacement AirPods work with older iPhones?
Replacement AirPods work with any iPhone that supports the model you own. If you have AirPods Pro 2, they work with iPhone XS and later. Standard AirPods work with iPhone 5s and later. Check Apple's tech specs page for your specific model to confirm compatibility before ordering a replacement.
How long does Apple warranty a replacement AirPod?
Replacement AirPods come with a one-year limited warranty from the date you receive them, the same as a new pair. If the replacement fails within that year due to a manufacturing defect, Apple will replace it again at no cost.
Can I return a replacement AirPod if I change my mind?
Yes, Apple allows returns within 14 days of purchase if the AirPod is unopened and in original condition. Once you open the box or pair it to a device, the return window closes. If you ordered by mistake, contact Apple Support when ready to request a return before opening the package.