Apple Launches 2021 Back to School Promotion: Free AirPods With Eligible Mac or iPad Purchase

Apple today launched its seasonal back-to-school sale for the upcoming school year in the United States and Canada, offering students free AirPods alongside purchases of select Macs and iPad models.

2021 back t0 school
Similar to last year's promotion, this year's offer includes free AirPods alongside the purchase of a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, the new 24-inch iMac, the Mac Pro, Mac mini, and the new M1-powered iPad Pro and the iPad Air. Alongside the free AirPods, qualifying students and educators can get 20% off AppleCare+ with their purchases.

During checkout, customers can upgrade their AirPods to include wireless charging for just $40 or upgrade to the AirPods Pro for $90. The promotion seems to only be live in the United States and Canada at the time.

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...

Top Rated Comments

ensee Avatar
61 months ago
So no new MacBook Pro until this promo is over?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thefourthpope Avatar
61 months ago
The day after school ended (in Maryland) and it’s already back-to-school season.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Weed Avatar
61 months ago

I literally bought a macbook air on the education store yesterday. Do you think if I called they'd give me the deal? The laptop is still in the box so I could return it.
Yes. Just got them to honor the offer on an iPad Pro I bought last week.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ouimetnick Avatar
61 months ago

So no new MacBook Pro until this promo is over?
Not necessarily, but it would be excluded as new models have been in the past.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Chewbacca Avatar
61 months ago

I literally bought a macbook air on the education store yesterday. Do you think if I called they'd give me the deal? The laptop is still in the box so I could return it.
Yes. they will usually do this. Especially if it is still in the full return period. Worst case, return and re-buy but they know you are going to do that so it's way easier to just send you the air pods. Just be nice when you call, be the kind of customer someone wants to help.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
61 months ago

You know, the MacBook Air is really a good deal considering the alternatives. For $999 you get top performance and the great experience of Apple products. The only real competitor is Microsoft Surface laptop, and that costs even more than $999. The other alternatives (Chromebooks, cheap Lenovo etc) are just urgh - poor quality and the designs are so outdated. With educational pricing and free AirPods it's a no brainer.
Don't forget the privacy differences between. Apple wins for the price, integration, and privacy, in my opinion.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)