Airpod Pro 2 replacement tips: What to do when one goes missing or dies

You’re standing on the subway platform or maybe just walking the dog when it happens. That sickening click-clack sound of plastic hitting pavement. You look down, and one of your AirPods is gone, potentially swallowed by a storm drain or lost in the grass. It’s a gut-punch. Honestly, it’s one of the most frustrating parts of owning high-end tech. Losing a bud or finding out your battery is shot shouldn’t mean buying a whole new $249 set.

Most people panic and head straight to Amazon to buy a brand-new pair. Stop. You don't need to do that. There are specific AirPod Pro 2 replacement tips that can save you a literal hundred dollars or more if you know how to navigate Apple’s repair ecosystem. It’s not always intuitive, and if you talk to three different people at the Genius Bar, you might get three different answers.

Let's get into the weeds of how this actually works in 2026.

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The AppleCare+ loophole you probably ignored

If you have AppleCare+, you are in the golden circle. Most people forget they even bought it. Or worse, they think it only covers "accidents" like dropping the case in a pool. It actually covers battery depletion too. If your AirPod Pro 2 buds are holding less than 80% of their original capacity, Apple will replace them. For free.

The catch? You have to prove it.

Apple’s diagnostic tools are notoriously conservative. If you go in saying "they feel like they die fast," they might run a test, tell you they’re at 81%, and send you home. You’ve gotta be persistent. Mention specific usage times. If they aren't hitting the advertised 6 hours of listening time, make that the focal point of your conversation.

Buying just one bud: The math of AirPod Pro 2 replacement tips

When you lose a single bud, the "out-of-warranty" cost is the big hurdle. As of right now, Apple charges $89 for a single AirPod Pro 2 replacement bud. If you need a new MagSafe charging case (the USB-C version), that’s another $99.

Do the math.

$89 for a left bud + $89 for a right bud + $99 for the case = $277.

That is more than the cost of a brand-new retail set. Basically, if you lose more than one component, you are almost always better off just watching for a sale at Costco or Best Buy where they frequently hit $189 or $199. But if it’s just one ear? Paying the $89 at an Apple Store is the only way to guarantee you get a genuine driver that matches the firmware of your remaining piece.

Don't fall for the eBay "Genuine" trap

You’ll see them everywhere. Listings for "Single Left AirPod Pro 2nd Gen - 100% Authentic" for $45.

Don't. Just don't.

The market for counterfeit AirPods is so sophisticated now that even the "About" section in your iPhone settings can be spoofed. These fake buds often won't sync with your original case, or worse, they won't support the Precision Finding feature that uses the U1/U2 chip. You’ll end up with one bud that sounds great and another that sounds like a tin can, or one that constantly disconnects because the H2 chip in your real bud is trying to talk to a knockoff chip in the replacement. It's a headache you don't want.

If you must buy used, use a reputable secondary market like Reebelo or Back Market, but even then, battery health is a total gamble. Lithium-ion batteries in these things are tiny. They degrade. Buying someone else's two-year-old lost bud means you're buying a battery that's already halfway to the grave.

Getting the new bud to actually talk to the old one

So you got your replacement. You open the box, put it in the case, and... nothing. The light flashes amber. You think you got a dud. You didn't.

This is the part most AirPod Pro 2 replacement tips gloss over: the firmware handshake. Your old bud might be on firmware version 6F8, while the new one from the factory is on 5B58. They won't pair if they aren't on the same page.

1. Put both buds in the case.
2. Plug the case into power.
3. Keep the lid open near your iPhone.
4. Wait.

Sometimes it takes 20 minutes; sometimes it takes an hour. The case will eventually force-update the new bud to match the old one. If you try to force a reset (holding the back button) before this happens, you’ll just get a flashing red or amber light. Patience is literally the only fix here.

The "Battery Service" vs. "Replacement" distinction

Here is a pro tip that can save you money if you're out of warranty. Apple distinguishes between "Battery Service" and "Replacement." If your bud is physically perfect but the battery is trash, ask specifically for battery service.

It is cheaper.

Technically, they can't actually swap the battery because the AirPod Pro 2 is held together by enough glue to seal a spaceship. They will still give you a new bud. But by categorizing it as battery service, the internal billing code changes. It’s a nuance that many Geniuses won't volunteer unless you use the specific terminology.

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Dealing with the silicone tips

This seems minor until it isn't. The AirPod Pro 2 comes with four sizes of tips: XS, S, M, and L. If you replace a bud through Apple, it usually comes with the Medium tip pre-installed.

If you use XS, don't throw away your old bud without pulling the tip off first. Apple sells a set of replacement tips for $7.90, which isn't a lot, but it's an annoying extra expense. Also, third-party foam tips like those from Comply are great for fit, but they change the frequency response slightly. If you have a Comply tip on your left ear and a stock silicone tip on your new right replacement, the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) will feel "lopsided" because the seal isn't symmetrical. Always match your tips.

What about the case?

The Pro 2 case is a beast compared to the original. It has a speaker, a lanyard loop, and better water resistance. If you lose the case but keep the buds, you can buy the USB-C case separately even if you originally had the Lightning version. This is actually a great way to "upgrade" your setup to USB-C without replacing the headphones themselves.

The buds are cross-compatible. You can put Lightning-era Pro 2 buds into a USB-C Pro 2 case and they will charge and pair perfectly.

Actionable steps for your replacement journey

Stop guessing and start acting. If you’re currently staring at an empty charging case or a dead bud, here is exactly how to handle it without wasting money.

First, check your coverage. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, go to Bluetooth, tap the "i" next to your AirPods, and look at Expiration Date. If it says AppleCare+, your replacement cost is $29. Period. If it says "Coverage Expired," prepare for the $89 hit.

Second, use the Support app on your iPhone to start the claim. Do not just walk into an Apple Store. They often don't keep "service parts" (the individual buds) in the retail drawers; they have to be ordered from a central repair depot. By using the app, you ensure the part is actually there when you arrive.

Third, verify the model number. AirPod Pro 2 buds have model numbers A2698, A2699, and A2968. If you are buying a replacement from a third party, ask for a photo of the tiny text on the underside of the bud. If the numbers don't match these, it isn't a 2nd Gen Pro.

Finally, once you get your replacement, perform a "Clean Reset." Forget the device from your Bluetooth settings, put both buds in the case, and hold the setup button on the back for at least 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber and then white. This clears the "memory" of the old bud and lets the new pair bond correctly.

Keep your receipt. Apple’s replacement parts carry their own 90-day warranty. If that new bud has a crackling sound (the infamous "rattlegate" that still haunts some units), you have three months to get it swapped again for free. Use that time to test the ANC in a noisy environment like a coffee shop to ensure the microphones are calibrated correctly.