If you run into trouble with your AirPods Max and need to get a replacement pair under warranty, it looks like the new set will be delivered without a refreshed set of ear cushions.
A 9to5Mac reader sent in a pair of AirPods Max for repair due to an issue with the Digital Crown, and the replacement set that he received back did not include ear cushions.
Apple instead expects users to keep the ear cushions from the damaged set of AirPods Max to use them with the replacement pair, unless of course the ear cushions themselves have also experienced damage. Given the modular design of the AirPods Max, it is possible for Apple to ship just the headphones or just the ear cushions for replacement purposes.
Apple's instructions for mailing in the AirPods Max include a diagram that instructs users to remove the ear cushions before shipping the AirPods Max in a repair box.
Image via 9to5Mac
With replacement AirPods Pro models, Apple does provide new ear tips, but ear tips for the AirPods Pro are priced at $8 rather than $69 like the AirPods Max ear cushions, so it's no surprise these are delivered separately.
At the current time, Apple is not selling ear cushions on a standalone basis, but they will presumably be available when stock improves. AirPods Max purchases from Apple continue to have March delivery dates at the current time.
Friday October 24, 2025 2:30 pm PDT by Juli Clover
In the fourth iOS 26.1 beta, Apple added a "Tinted" option that reduces the translucency of Liquid Glass for those who prefer a more opaque look. I saw some comments wondering whether the setting might preserve battery life, so I thought I'd do some testing.
Test Settings
I did four separate tests using the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I kept the parameters as similar as possible. Here are the...
Wednesday October 22, 2025 6:15 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more.
iOS 26.1 is currently in beta testing. The update will likely be released in the first half of November, and it is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer, but some...
Apple Maps could feature integrated ads as soon as next year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.
In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple's plan to bring more ads to iOS is moving "gaining traction," with the Maps app being next in line. The project will apparently give restaurants and other businesses the option to pay to have their details featured more prominently in...
Friday October 24, 2025 7:18 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
At least some new iPhone models launching next year may support full 5G satellite internet, according to a report this week from The Information.
"Apple plans to add support in upcoming iPhones as early as next year for 5G networks that aren't tethered to Earth's surface, which includes satellites," the report said. "That would give the iPhone full internet access over satellite," it added.
...
Thursday October 23, 2025 3:55 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple is one of several tech companies that will contribute to the construction of U.S. President Donald Trump's 90,000-square-foot ballroom, reports CNN.
Construction began on the ballroom this week, and the White House's east wing was torn down. Trump claims that the ballroom will cost $350 million, and that it will be privately funded through donations. The cost has already increased $150 ...
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 could feature 50% more memory than its predecessor, according to Korea's The Bell.
With its latest iPhone lineup, the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max feature 12GB of memory. This is a significant increase of 4GB more their predecessors, largely driven by the demands of on-device artificial intelligence processing.
The iPhone 17 is the only new...
Apple's new iPhone lineup launched in the fall of 2027 will be called the "iPhone 20" models, rather than the "iPhone 19," according to research firm Omdia.
Speaking at a conference in Seoul (via ETNews), Omdia Chief Researcher Heo Moo-yeol corroborated rumors that Apple plans to move the launch of its standard iPhone to the first half of the year and provided some additional clarity about...
In July, Apple sued well-known YouTuber Jon Prosser and his acquaintance Michael Ramacciotti over alleged theft of the company's trade secrets, after Prosser leaked some iOS 26 details in videos uploaded to his YouTube channel Front Page Tech. If you are not caught up on the lawsuit, read our initial coverage to learn more.
Earlier this week, Prosser told The Verge he has "been in active...
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the latest rumors about the iPhone Air not selling as well as Apple hoped.
Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos
There have been many recent reports suggesting the iPhone Air has failed to catch on with consumers, with Apple moving to cut production due to lower-than-expected sales. The first warning sign was...
Over $500 and no warrantied replacement ear cushions...?!?!?
Just buy the Sony headphones. Cheap feel, better sound.
If there is a problem with the ear cushions, Apple will replace them. When the problem doesn't involve the ear cushions, there is no need to replace them.
News: Apple only replaces the broken part under warranty if possible...
If your watch band fails they only replace the band. If the watch fails, only the watch. Replacement phones do not come with headphones, chargers or cables even if the original did.
We got a toy from FatBrainToys that was missing 2 parts (wrong items inside). They sent only those parts, not a whole new toy. We got a kids playhouse that was missing a small part. They sent us the part, not playhouse.
