AirPods 3: How To Know If It’s Original (2024)

Last Updated on April 9, 2024 by Ch David

• You’re probably looking at a pair of AirPods 3
• But you’re not sure if they’re fakes
• So you want to test their authenticity

Other useful guides: AirPods 1 & 2, AirPods Pro 1 & 2, AirPods Max.

How to spot fake AirPods Gen. 3

You’ll know 100% if your AirPods 3 are original if their serial number shows a Valid Purchase Date on the Apple CheckCoverage website. Fakes never have valid serial numbers.

1. Price check

Remember: Retail for AirPods 3 is $169.00 & $179.00.

• $169 → Lighting Charging Case.
• $179 → MagSafe Charging Case.

• Authentic: Used in great condition, yet still $30 under MSRP.
• Fake: New, but only for $50 — that is $120 under retail.

Chances are low to find cheap and working AirPods.

Our AirPods Experts have seen +860 pairs of all generations to look perfect but not work properly.

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Finding it too hard? Reach out to our Apple experts:

2. Serial number

You can find the serial number in a couple of places:

• AirPods: Right below the part that goes in your ear.
• Charging case: Inside, at the top.
• Box: On the bottom side.
• Settings: Connect the AirPods > Bluetooth > Tap them > Find at the bottom.

Let’s see the results.

2.1. Authentic

This serial number is original because:

• Purchase Date: Validated (January 2024)
• Serial Number: Matches the one we’ve introduced
• Coverage: Warranty and other benefits are included, which further prove authenticity.

2.2. Replica

Fake because:

• Serial number is not validated
• “Replaced serial number” is just yet another sign of a fake

This serial number can’t get past this page so we can see further benefits — e.g. Warranty, Apple Care +, Coverage and others.

2.3. Replaced Serial Number

If your serial number is replaced, we suggest checking in with Apple by going in your local store:

“We’re sorry, but this is a serial number for a product that has been replaced.”

Apple, Check Coverage

Replica manufacturers often use replaced legit serial numbers:

• Seeing this message makes you think there’s still hope, right?
• But realistically, there are less chances for the AirPods to be legit after

Hence, you’re best checking in store if you see this message.

3. Bluetooth icon

For this test, you need to connect your AirPods to any Apple device.

If using an iPhone: Swipe up to reveal the Control Center and the volume settings.

• Authentic: Volume slider has an icon of the AirPods 3.
• Fake: Sound + Bluetooth icon instead of the earbuds.

An original pair of AirPods 3 must have the volume icon of the earbuds, never the Bluetooth logo.

This is an instant call-out for fake AirPods.

A quick mention:

• The steps we’ve written so far are the BEST ways to authenticate this item
• The next few steps are still reliable methods…
• … but they apply to non-top-versions of replicas available for this item

If in doubt, we recommend double-checking the steps we’ve explained above this line.

4. Charging case

• Authentic: Consistent fitment — same amount of space between all parts.
• Fake: Not enough space between the metal parts.

5. Connection

When connecting, there’s a pop-up on the screen on your iPhone.

• Authentic: Shows a pop-up with the charge for AirPods + Case
• Fake: Cannot verify AirPods — “Don’t connect”.

If they cannot be verified, test the serial number or contact Apple and explain the situation.

6. Speakers

• Authentic: Detailed speaker with many small lines.
• Fake: Smooth surface.

7. Show in Find My

• Authentic: AirPods will be visible and working in Find My.
• Fake: Will not work at all.

Some AirPods have a *sort of* working Find My system — they will show up on Find My, but cannot be found anywhere past ~10 meters (or 11 yards).

8. L & R

• Authentic: Small, thick and boxy letter “R” — same goes for “L”.
• Fake: Bigger, thinner “R”.

9. Charging port

• Authentic: Shorter and larger hole.
• Fake: Thinner, longer charging hole.

10. Green light

• Authentic: Green is of a darker shade — very subtle, harder to spot.
• Fake: Light’s more intense.

11. Box

• Authentic: No typos. Every text also has the same thickness.
• Fake: Typos — it says “Airpods” instead of “AirPods”.

12. No-no’s

Below is a 100% sign of fakes. Stuff you never see on real AirPods.

12.1. Lights

• Authentic: Only has a green light on the charging case.
• Fake: may be blue lights all over the AirPods.

Never on the real ones.

12.2. Safety hazard

Make sure you always buy AirPods from reputable sources.

Fakes can always end up like this:

And you don’t want them to be in your ears.

Wearing fake sneakers doesn’t imply any safety hazards. Though, fake electronics, especially those that go in your ears, are 100% dangerous.

• Safety Hazards: Fake AirPods can overheat, potentially causing fires or explosions.
• Poor Quality: The sound and build might not be as good as the real deal.
• Discomfort: They may not fit as comfortably in your ears.
• Hearing Risk: If the volume isn’t controlled well, it could hurt your ears.

Explained: AirPods serial number

In this section, we’re explaining this official Apple guide.

Essentially, we’re making everything easier to understand, with tables.

1. AirPods

Here’s a table that summarizes the information about AirPods models based on their model numbers and year introduced:

AirPods Model	Model Numbers	Year Introduced
AirPods Pro (2nd gen) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C)	A3047, A3048, A3049	2023
AirPods Pro (2nd gen) with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning)	A2931, A2699, A2698	2022
AirPods (3rd generation)	A2565, A2564	2021
AirPods Max	A2096	2020
AirPods Pro	A2084, A2083	2019
AirPods (2nd generation)	A2032, A2031	2019
AirPods (1st generation)	A1523, A1722	2016

This table should help you quickly identify your AirPods using the model number.

2. Charging case

Case Type	Model Number	Year Introduced	Features
MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) for AirPods Pro (2nd gen)	A2968	2023	USB-C port, compatible with Qi and MagSafe, external speaker, lanyard loop, front status light
MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning) for AirPods Pro (2nd gen)	A2700	2022	Lightning port, compatible with Qi and MagSafe, external speaker, lanyard loop, front status light
Lightning Charging Case for AirPods (3rd gen)	A2897	2022	Lightning port, front status light
MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods (3rd gen)	A2566	2021	Lightning port, compatible with Qi and MagSafe, front status light
MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods Pro	A2190	2021	Lightning port, compatible with Qi and MagSafe, front status light, specific serial number formats
AirPods Pro Charging Case	A2190	2019	Lightning port, Qi compatible, front status light, specific serial number formats
Wireless Charging Case	A1938	2019	Lightning port, Qi compatible, front status light
Lightning Charging Case	A1602	2016	Lightning port, inside status light

This table should help you identify which AirPods charging case you have based on its features and model number.

Expert Service: AirPods Authentication

Need our opinion on your item’s authenticity? It’s a service we provide.

Get a fully-detailed report for why you have a real or fake item. Takes less than 48 hours!

Alternatively, use our free resources: written guides and video tutorials.

Thank you for reading this,

Ch Daniel and Ch David