Apple's AirPods Out of Stock in Many European Countries [Update: Back in Stock]

AirPods are sold out and unavailable for purchase in many Apple retail stores across Europe and in Apple's online stores in those countries, as noticed by French site Watch Generation.

It's not clear when the AirPods went out of stock, but the earphones are listed as unavailable in countries that include the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Finland, Sweden, and others.

airpodsuksoldout
AirPods continue to be available for purchase in other countries in North America, South America, and Asia Pacific, with the shortage primarily limited to Europe.

There's no word on why AirPods are suddenly unavailable in so many European countries, but Watch Generation claims that a retail source said French Apple Stores sold out of a recent shipment and are awaiting the restock of a new version that could perhaps be next-generation AirPods.

airpodsoutofstocklondon
Given that the AirPods are unavailable only in Europe, there could be another explanation related to tariffs or currency adjustments, so the shortage is not a clear sign of an imminent refresh.

Apple is rumored to be working on second-generation AirPods with an improved wireless chip that will enable "Hey Siri" functionality, alleviating the need to activate Siri through a double tap on the earphones.

These updated AirPods could also include a wireless charging case that will allow them to work with the AirPower charging mat that continues to be in development, but there is no word on when these rumored AirPods (or the AirPower charging mat) might launch.

Update: AirPods are once again in stock on the Apple online store in many European countries, with retail locations set to have the earphones available for purchase on Friday, October 19.

Related Roundup: AirPods 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: AirPods

Top Rated Comments

ghostface147 Avatar
71 months ago
A volume slider would be awesome, if it's even feasible.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brian3uk Avatar
71 months ago
OH MY GOSH. I really hope that means new ones are on the way!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleWarMachine Avatar
71 months ago
mine work great, but I will update them to get the new ones with Bluetooth 5.0 to match my phone and watch ;) (I can't believe it's almost been 2 years with them already)

edit: to clarify...to match my current iPhone (X) and Watch (series 4)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
omihek Avatar
71 months ago
The week after purchasing my AirPods was the best week of my life musically speaking. I just had no idea how much that cord limited me before I went wireless. If the AirPods 2 have enough features to upgrade, I will happily give up another $160 for them, even though my first pair still works perfectly.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MLVC Avatar
71 months ago
I saw someone wearing airpods on the bus this morning - first time I’ve seen them in months..
Whereas a dozen or so people on the bus every day are wearing over-the-ear style wireless headphones.. JBL, Bose, Sennheiser, and occasionally Beats.

Wireless is clearly the future, but these little earphone thingies just don’t deliver the musicality, or the sound isolation. (Or the noise reduction that increasing numbers of new headphones support..)
Don’t know where you live but here in the Netherlands I see them everywhere, train, bus, gym, joggers, cyclists etc.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
munpip214 Avatar
71 months ago
Don't trust any rumors about new airpods anymore. Will believe it once I have them in my pocket
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
apple wallet drivers license feature

Apple Said iPhone Driver's Licenses Would Expand to These 8 U.S. States… Two Years Ago

Thursday March 14, 2024 7:33 am PDT by
In just four U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports, businesses, and venues. Adoption of the feature has been slow since Apple first announced it in September 2021, with IDs in the Wallet app only available in Arizona,...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
OLED iPad Air

iPad Air Next on Apple's OLED Tablet Roadmap Following iPad Pro

Friday March 15, 2024 3:30 am PDT by
The iPad Air will be the next Apple tablet to adopt OLED display panel technology following its upcoming OLED iPad Pro models, according to an updated forecast from research firm Omdia (via The Elec). "In 2028, we expect the iPad Air to go OLED as well, with the iPad Air using single-stack and the iPad Pro using two-stack tandem OLEDs," said Omdia researcher Kang Min-soo, speaking on...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
Walmart MacBook Air M1

Walmart Begins Selling MacBook Air With M1 Chip for $699 in U.S.

Friday March 15, 2024 6:57 am PDT by
Walmart today announced that it has started selling the MacBook Air with the M1 chip in the U.S., with pricing set at a very reasonable $699. The laptop can be ordered now on Walmart.com, and it will be available soon at select Walmart stores. This is the first time that customers can purchase a Mac that is sold directly by Walmart, the company said in a press release. Some other retailers...