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Apple Ends Service Programs for Sound Issues on Original AirPods Pro and iPhone 12 and 12 Pro

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Apple has officially ended two service programs that covered sound issues on the original AirPods Pro and on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, removing them from its list of active service programs.

airpods pro in case
In both cases, devices were covered for three years from their original date of sale, so the vast majority of units were already out of coverage unless someone managed to purchase from very old stock.

The AirPods Pro service program covered crackling or static sounds or Active Noise Cancellation not working as expected on the first-generation models, with affected units having been manufactured prior to October 2020. Under the program, Apple replaced affected earbuds (left, right, or both) after the issue was confirmed through testing by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

The service program for AirPods Pro was launched in October 2020 with two years of coverage, with coverage extended to three years in October 2021.

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro program covered a defective receiver module component that could fail, resulting in no sound being emitted when making or receiving calls. Affected units were manufactured between October 2020 and April 2021, and the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max were not included in the service program.

The iPhone service program was launched in August 2021 with two years of coverage, but coverage was extended to three years in August 2022.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forums: AirPods, iPhone

Top Rated Comments

T
titanium9
25 weeks ago
Both my wife and I had AirPod Pro 2 and they had several seconds of static blasting on max volume every time you put them in your ear. I Googled the issue and tried the recommendation to turn off noise cancelation and it didn’t help at all. Apple knows the email of every person that bought AirPods at an Apple Store. I received no notification of any ‘secret’ coverage plan for this problem. Whatever the coverage plan was posted it wasn’t in a place Google could find.

Our response was to throw the AirPods in the trash and we will NEVER buy Apple AirPods again. I can only imagine how many thousands of other people have developed similar strong views if they had to develop a program to deal with it. We have both Sony and Bowers and Wilkins ear buds now. Both of those companies figured out how to not blast white noise at max volume for several seconds when you put them in your ear.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Truckondo Avatar
Truckondo
25 weeks ago
I remember using the service on my original AirPods Pro years ago. They replaced them in store after the test and they still work to this day. Gave them to my son when I got the USB-C AirPods Pro 2.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
beltzak Avatar
beltzak
25 weeks ago
Very true. Never received any email regarding to covered plan even though I changed one of the AirPods Pro but within a year I got the other one cracking after warranty ended.

I guess that this is another awesome source of Apple’s income.
/s
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
t0rqx
25 weeks ago
These programs usually replace the components with the same faulty components. Just like the butterfly keyboard.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
NicosAccount
25 weeks ago
if they cant fix it with a software update, theyll probably need a program like this for the iphone airs, most of them rattle even on 40-50% volume on facetime
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Okasian Avatar
Okasian
25 weeks ago
I’ve logged into my MacRumours account for the first time in several years to post my experience on this.

I had this issue around 2022. “They” (Apple Authorised.. bla bla bla) replaced the buds. Completely faulty. They did not replace the case. I brought a £30 third-party case from Amazon, essentially having a new pair of AirPods Pro.

They’ve only recently started (Late 2025) to get to a point where I feel like the battery isn’t holding an adequate amount of charge.

Since then, two Apple die-hard friends of mine got the EarFun Pro, and so did I, about £50. Cheap. Chinese. (Always skeptical)

ANC much better. Night and day. Highly likely not as good as the new AirPods Pro 3, but £50 is 4x less than £220. Would not recommend buying AirPods again. Short life-span relative to price. Disposable. Vote with your wallet etc.

Logging out.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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