AirPods MAX Guide: $550 Authentic vs $250 FAKE (2025)

Last Updated on januari 6, 2025 by Ch David

This is the ultimate authentication guide for the:

• AirPods Max (2020) and the AirPods Max (2024)
• In every colorway

Let’s get going.

How to spot FAKE AirPods Max

To know if your of AirPods Max are fake, check if the serial code shows a verified purchase date on Apple’s Check Coverage online service (free).

• If the code scans: You’ve got the original AirPods Max.
• If it doesn’t: Purchase date won’t be validated.

Let’s go more into detail.

1. Serienummer

1.1. How to find

1. Find your pair’s serial number: on the box or inside each AirPod.
2. Go to Apple’s Check Coverage website.
3. Insert your AirPods Max’s serial number.
4. Get the results.
   • Original: Apple can verify a valid purchase date.
   • Nep: No results are shown.

You can find the serial number in multiple places on your AirPods Max:

• On the box’s sticker at the bottom.
• On the interior side of each AirPod.
• Note: Every code may differ on an authentic pair, but that isn’t a concern.

Still didn’t find it? Check Apple’s AirPods Max official guide.

1.2. How to scan

Go to checkcoverage.apple.com first.

For this comparison, we’ll look at the real vs fake AirPods Max serial numbers on the boxes:

If it’s hard to notice in the image above (previous section):

• The authentic example’s serial number was: H0YJG3X7P3WC.
• The fake’s reads: H0YKR230P3WG.

1.3. Real

• A valid purchase date is registered.
• Apple’s services can be found in the “Your Coverage” section.
• Warranty details are displayed.
• Various benefits of hardware are in the black box.

There is enough info to tell us this pair is legit.

1.4. Fake

• The purchase date can’t be verified.
• No Apple services are being displayed.
• Missing information about the pair.

If your scanned serial number looks the same as in the image above, we’re sorry to say that you’re +95% owning a fake pair of AirPods.

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

2. Charging hole

1. The fake pair’s round little hole is too big.
2. The charging hole on the replica Apple AirPods Max has its silvery metal outline too thick and too big, as it covers more surface than it should.
3. The little hole below the charging one looks too big as well on the fake Apple AirPods.

3. L & R

These are the inscriptions on the inside of each headphone.

3.1. Left

• The fake AirPods’ letter “L” looks too thin.

The real “L” is way thicker and way bulkier than the one seen on the fake AirPods.

3.2. Right

• The The fake pair’s letter “R” looks yet again way too thin.

The authentic pair’s letter “R” is noticeably thicker and more defined than the fake one.

Een korte vermelding:

• De stappen die we tot nu toe hebben geschreven zijn de BEST manieren om dit item te verifiëren
• De volgende stappen zijn nog steeds betrouwbare methoden...
• ... maar ze zijn van toepassing op niet-top-versies van replica's die beschikbaar zijn voor dit item

Als je twijfelt, raden we je aan om de stappen die we boven deze regel hebben uitgelegd nog eens te controleren.

4. Box (Side)

• The fake box has the wrong inscriptions.
• The fake box says just “Max” instead of “AirPods Max”

Authentic AirPods must say “AirPods Max” on the side of their boxes.

4. Box (Bottom)

• The fake box has the wrong inscriptions, yet again:
• The fake box only says “Max”, when it should say “AirPods Max”.

5. Diffusers

• The fake Max AirPods have their diffusers placed too close to each other.
• The authentic pair’s diffusers are placed further away from each other.

There’s a little more space in between these when compared to the fake ones.

Shortlist: Know if yours are REAL

1. Scan your serial number on Apple’s Check Coverage website. If no purchase date is validated, then you have a fake pair.
2. Authenticate the charging hole on your AirPods Max. Mostly, the fake AirPods have holes too large, especially when it comes to the silvery metal outline all around the charging hole
3. Examine the “L” and the “R” inscriptions that indicate the left and the right headphones. Usually, the replica AirPods Max pairs have these inscriptions too thin
4. See the text written on the profile side of the box of your AirPods Max. The replica AirPods tend to have their box saying only “Max” instead of “AirPods Max”
5. Check the text written on the bottom side of your AirPods Max. In most cases, the fake AirPods have only the “Max” text instead of fully saying “AirPods Max”
6. Inspect the diffusers. Most of the fake AirPods have their diffusers placed too close to each other

Expert AirPods Max authentication service

If you’ve gone through this guide and still have doubts regarding the authenticity of your Apple AirPods, consider using the Legit Check App for a professional authentication service to give you peace of mind.

If you’re unsure about following this guide or are pressed for time:

• Simply send us clear photos of your Apple headphones, and our team will respond with their findings within 24 to 48 hours.
• You’ll also receive a detailed report explaining our reasons for determining whether your Apple AirPods Max is genuine or counterfeit.

That’s it. You’ve just learned how to spot fake AirPods Max!

Wil je onze mening over de echtheid van je item? Het is een service die we bieden.

Krijg een volledig gedetailleerd rapport waarom je een echt of vervalst item hebt. Duurt minder dan 48 uur!

Je kunt ook onze gratis bronnen gebruiken: schriftelijke gidsen en video-handleidingen.

Bedankt voor het lezen,

Daniël en David