Apple Launches 2021 Back to School Promotion: Free AirPods With Eligible Mac or iPad Purchase - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Launches 2021 Back to School Promotion: Free AirPods With Eligible Mac or iPad Purchase

Apple today launched its seasonal back-to-school sale for the upcoming school year in the United States and Canada, offering students free AirPods alongside purchases of select Macs and iPad models.

2021 back t0 school
Similar to last year's promotion, this year's offer includes free AirPods alongside the purchase of a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, the new 24-inch iMac, the Mac Pro, Mac mini, and the new M1-powered iPad Pro and the iPad Air. Alongside the free AirPods, qualifying students and educators can get 20% off AppleCare+ with their purchases.

During checkout, customers can upgrade their AirPods to include wireless charging for just $40 or upgrade to the AirPods Pro for $90. The promotion seems to only be live in the United States and Canada at the time.

Popular Stories

iCloud iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Get Two New Perks on iOS 27

Thursday July 2, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
If you pay for certain iCloud+ storage plans beyond the 5GB that Apple offers for free, you will receive two more perks on iOS 27 at no additional cost. A summary of the two new iCloud+ perks on iOS 27:Increased daily usage limits for some new Apple Intelligence features, including image generation in the revamped Image Playground app. HomeKit Secure Video cameras receive generated video...
American Express Gold Apple Pay Feature

American Express Announces New Apple Pay Feature

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:27 am PDT by
American Express today announced that you can now redeem Membership Rewards points when checking out with Apple Pay on the web and in apps on the iPhone and iPad. When checking out with Apple Pay on iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later, tap on your eligible American Express card (Platinum, Gold, Green, and others) and select the Membership Rewards points option. You can use points to cover all or...
series 10 apple watch titanium digital crown

Report: Apple Watch Redesign Coming Next Year With New Band System

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:45 am PDT by
A "major overhaul" of the Apple Watch's design is due to arrive next year with a new system for connecting bands, according to a known Weibo leaker. In a set of recent posts, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" linked the new claim to older rumors about an "Apple Watch X" model, which was said to introduce a fresh design and break compatibility with the existing watch band system. Citing...

Top Rated Comments

66 months ago
So no new MacBook Pro until this promo is over?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thefourthpope Avatar
66 months ago
The day after school ended (in Maryland) and it’s already back-to-school season.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
66 months ago

I literally bought a macbook air on the education store yesterday. Do you think if I called they'd give me the deal? The laptop is still in the box so I could return it.
Yes. Just got them to honor the offer on an iPad Pro I bought last week.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ouimetnick Avatar
66 months ago

So no new MacBook Pro until this promo is over?
Not necessarily, but it would be excluded as new models have been in the past.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
66 months ago

You know, the MacBook Air is really a good deal considering the alternatives. For $999 you get top performance and the great experience of Apple products. The only real competitor is Microsoft Surface laptop, and that costs even more than $999. The other alternatives (Chromebooks, cheap Lenovo etc) are just urgh - poor quality and the designs are so outdated. With educational pricing and free AirPods it's a no brainer.
Don't forget the privacy differences between. Apple wins for the price, integration, and privacy, in my opinion.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Chewbacca Avatar
66 months ago

I literally bought a macbook air on the education store yesterday. Do you think if I called they'd give me the deal? The laptop is still in the box so I could return it.
Yes. they will usually do this. Especially if it is still in the full return period. Worst case, return and re-buy but they know you are going to do that so it's way easier to just send you the air pods. Just be nice when you call, be the kind of customer someone wants to help.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)