If you suspect that your AirPods batteries aren’t working as well as they used to, here are some ways you can check the battery for yourself. We’ll also show you all the best ways to maintain your AirPods batteries for as long as possible.
Signs Your AirPods Batteries Are Failing
While Apple has not released an office tool to check the overall battery life of your AirPods, there are some tell-tale signs that your AirPods may need servicing or replacing.
Your AirPods Become Significantly Quieter
One of the early symptoms of a degrading AirPod battery is the lack of volume. Because this often happens very slowly, many AirPods users may take a while to notice how their AirPods are not as loud as they used to be. In some cases, AirPods users may even blame this on bad audio mixing or poor hearing.
However, if you catch yourself turning up the volume frequently, you may want to ask a friend with good hearing to have a listen. Should they notice that the sounds coming from your AirPods are unusually soft, it may be a sign that your AirPods batteries are not in good health.
Listening or Talk Times Are Significantly Reduced
According to Apple, here are the ideal number of hours that you should expect to get from the various AirPods models on a single full charge:
AirPods (3rd generation): 6 hours of listening time or 4 hours of talk time AirPods (2nd generation): 5 hours of listening time or 3 hours of talk time AirPods (1st generation): 5 hours of listening time or 2 hours of talk time AirPods Pro: 4. 5 hours of listening time or 5 hours of talk time
Thankfully, if you’re not sure what AirPods you own, there are several ways you can check what AirPods model you have.
Aside from battery health, other factors that impact listening or talk times not related to AirPods battery life include issues with the charging case, temperature, device settings, environment, and other factors. When computing for listening times and talk time, Apple also only uses a maximum volume of 50%. In addition, features like the Spatial Audio with Head Tracking were also enabled.
With this, it’s best to base the reduction in usage length based on your personal experience with your AirPods. To do this, be mindful about how long it takes for your battery to reach 0% with your regular use and compare it after a certain period of time.
Your AirPods Stop Working
Lastly, if you find that your AirPods simply don’t turn on anymore or turn off immediately after use despite being fully charged, it may be a sign that they have lost their ability to retain any power at all. Often, this happens when your AirPods are in the last stages of decline. At this stage, you may need to consider having your AirPods serviced or replaced completely.
How to Maintain AirPods Battery Health
According to Tektronix, lithium-ion batteries often have a lifespan of two to three years. On average, this means about 400 charge cycles, which are the number of times the battery has gone from 100% to 0% whether in one go or not.
While there are many things you can do to make your AirPods last as long as possible, there are also a few things you should try to make sure your AirPods batteries stay healthy for their entire lifespan. Here are some of them.
1. Update iOS or iPadOS
With the release of iOS 13, Apple introduced the Optimized Battery Charging feature. Using this feature, Apple devices learn your habits and only charge up to 80% when you aren’t likely to take them off charge yet. Because of this, Apple helps users avoid overcharging their AirPods when left inside their charging case.
To make sure that you always have access to the latest battery-saving features by Apple, it’s best to always keep your iPhone or iPad up to date.
2. Use Only Apple-Certified Charging Cables for the AirPods Charging Case
Although it may be tempting to use cheap cables to charge your AirPods charging case, this may reduce its overall effectivity. Unlike cables made by third-party manufacturers, official Apple charging cables undergo stringent quality testing and guarantee optimum charging.
3. Don’t Leave Your AirPods Uncharged for Too Long
Because of the nature of lithium-ion batteries, AirPods should not be left uncharged for too long. This is because lithium-ion batteries have been known to be unable to retain power after long periods of being completely discharged.
To avoid this, always make sure that your AirPods are inside your charging case when not in use and make sure that your AirPods charging case never runs out of power for too long.
4. Reduce the Volume When Using Your AirPods
There’s a reason why Apple’s official listening time length for AirPods is at 50% volume. For most people without hearing issues, it’s the ideal volume for listening to music, watching movies, and taking calls.
To make your AirPods last as long as possible without compromising your listening experience, it’s best to keep the volume as near as possible to the 50% range (or below it). In fact, keeping your AirPods at a reasonable volume is not only good for keeping the battery healthy, but it’s also good for your ears as well.
5. Try Using AirPods One at a Time
To maximize your AirPods’ lifespan, you can also avoid using both AirPods at the same time. For the times wherein you don’t need surround sound to enjoy the experience, using a single AirPod at a time can significantly reduce the number of charging cycles in its lifespan.
In addition, using a single AirPod (as opposed to both at a time) is also a safer alternative when on your morning walk or commute. With this, you’ll still be able to hear people calling your name, cars passing by, or announcements being made while using your AirPod.
6. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Because AirPods are designed to be used for a variety of experiences, it’s no surprise that many of them will be outdoors or on the road. However, extreme temperatures can affect the long-term battery performance of your AirPods.
So, if you have the habit of using your AirPods while driving, make sure to never leave it inside the car during a sunny day. Alternatively, it may also be a good idea to keep your AirPods inside your bag or pocket during your long walks in the cold.
Keep Your AirPods Battery Healthy for Longer
Unfortunately, if you use your AirPods frequently, the reality is that your battery life will shorten, no matter what you do. However, by following the tips above, you can expect to have your AirPods battery working as long as possible. Although, there’s nothing stopping you from giving other, more durable brands a go too.
