does apple care cover lost airpods

It’s a moment of panic familiar to many of us. You reach for your AirPods case, only to find it empty or, worse, completely missing. Your heart sinks as you realize one or both of your precious earbuds are gone. In that stressful moment, you might wonder if your investment is protected. This leads directly to the common and important question: does apple care cover lost airpods?

The Straight Answer on Lost AirPods

Unfortunately, the standard AppleCare+ plan for Headphones does not cover lost or stolen AirPods. This plan is designed to protect your devices from accidental damage, such as drops or water spills, and includes technical support. However, the physical loss of an earbud or the charging case is considered a separate issue and is not included in the coverage.

What AppleCare+ Actually Covers for Your AirPods

So, what protection do you get? AppleCare+ for Headphones is excellent for hardware repairs. If your AirPods stop holding a charge, suffer from speaker failure, or get damaged accidentally, you’re covered. Each incident has a service fee, but it’s significantly less than the full cost of a replacement. This coverage extends to your batteries if they hold less than 80% of their original capacity, which is a great benefit as they age.

A Potential Solution: The Theft and Loss Plan

There is a specific version of AppleCare+ that does offer a solution. For eligible AirPods models, Apple offers an AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss plan. This enhanced coverage is the only option from Apple that protects against a lost or stolen item. If you have this plan, you can get a replacement for a lost AirPod or charging case for a service fee. It’s crucial to know that you must purchase this specific plan at the time you buy your AirPods; you cannot add it later.

What to Do If You Lose an AirPod

If you find yourself with a missing AirPod, don’t despair. First, use the Find My app on your iPhone to play a sound if the AirPod is nearby and has charge. If it’s truly gone, your only option is to purchase a replacement directly from Apple. You can buy a single left or right AirPod or a new charging case, which is cheaper than buying a completely new set.

While the standard AppleCare+ plan won’t help if your AirPods go missing, knowing your coverage options ahead of time can save you from future frustration. Checking if the Theft and Loss plan is available for your model or simply using tools like Find My can provide a little extra peace of mind for your wireless lifestyle.