AirPods Pro: Some earphones can start crackling or fail to work as expected, Apple says as it launches repair programme

(N/A)

Some AirPods Pro may stop working properly and need replacing, Apple has said as it launches a repair programme.

Users of the premium earphones might hear “crackling or static sounds that increase in loud environments, with exercise or while talking on the phone”, the company said.

Their noise cancelling feature could stop working “as expected”, Apple also said, which might appear in the form of “a loss of bass sound, or an increase in background sounds, such as street or airplane noise”.

Anyone affected by the issues will be able to get the AirPods Pro – either the left or right one, or both – fixed by Apple itself or one of its authorised service providers, for free.

The case is not affected and will not be replaced, Apple said.

The issue does not extend the normal warranty coverage of the AirPods Pro, but will cover any earphones for two years after they were sold. Usually accessories such as AirPods are only covered by Apple’s warranty for a year.

Apple said that the problem earphones were “manufactured before October 2020”, presumably meaning that anyone using them now could potentially be affected.

It also made clear that no other AirPods are affected by the programme. The company has released two generations of the normal and non-Pro AirPods, which do not have the same noise cancelling features.

Anyone affected can find instructions for having their earphones replaced on a devoted page on Apple’s website.