Apple Ends Service Programs for Sound Issues on Original AirPods Pro and iPhone 12 and 12 Pro - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Ends Service Programs for Sound Issues on Original AirPods Pro and iPhone 12 and 12 Pro

Apple has officially ended two service programs that covered sound issues on the original AirPods Pro and on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, removing them from its list of active service programs.

airpods pro in case
In both cases, devices were covered for three years from their original date of sale, so the vast majority of units were already out of coverage unless someone managed to purchase from very old stock.

The AirPods Pro service program covered crackling or static sounds or Active Noise Cancellation not working as expected on the first-generation models, with affected units having been manufactured prior to October 2020. Under the program, Apple replaced affected earbuds (left, right, or both) after the issue was confirmed through testing by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

The service program for AirPods Pro was launched in October 2020 with two years of coverage, with coverage extended to three years in October 2021.

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro program covered a defective receiver module component that could fail, resulting in no sound being emitted when making or receiving calls. Affected units were manufactured between October 2020 and April 2021, and the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max were not included in the service program.

The iPhone service program was launched in August 2021 with two years of coverage, but coverage was extended to three years in August 2022.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)
Related Forums: AirPods, iPhone

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware 2

Apple Releases New AirPods Firmware With iOS 27 Features

Monday September 14, 2026 11:42 am PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware is available for all of the above devices, and it will enable support for new iOS 27 features. The firmware has a build number of 9A348. In iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, Apple is adding a new AirPods interface, a slider for Adaptive mode, and support for custom EQ....
airpods pro 3 blue

AirPods With Cameras Were Supposed to Debut Today, Now Delayed

Wednesday September 9, 2026 4:35 am PDT by
Apple planned to introduce high-end in-ear AirPods with built-in cameras for analyzing the surrounding environment at today's event, but the launch has been pushed to next year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In early August, Gurman said the earbuds were progressing well enough to potentially ship before the end of the year. By mid-August, though, he reported that Apple had pulled the model...
iphone 18 pro cases

Apple Debuts New Accessories for iPhone 18 Pro and AirPods Pro 3

Wednesday September 9, 2026 12:01 pm PDT by
Apple today announced a new lineup of accessories for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and AirPods Pro 3, including a redesigned clear case with MagSafe and all-new wrist straps. The new colors span much of Apple's accessory range: TechWoven Case with MagSafe: Burgundy, Olive, Taupe, Chambray Blue, Mulberry, and Black Silicone Case with MagSafe: Magenta, Black, Navy Blue, Crisp...

Top Rated Comments

13 months ago
Both my wife and I had AirPod Pro 2 and they had several seconds of static blasting on max volume every time you put them in your ear. I Googled the issue and tried the recommendation to turn off noise cancelation and it didn’t help at all. Apple knows the email of every person that bought AirPods at an Apple Store. I received no notification of any ‘secret’ coverage plan for this problem. Whatever the coverage plan was posted it wasn’t in a place Google could find.

Our response was to throw the AirPods in the trash and we will NEVER buy Apple AirPods again. I can only imagine how many thousands of other people have developed similar strong views if they had to develop a program to deal with it. We have both Sony and Bowers and Wilkins ear buds now. Both of those companies figured out how to not blast white noise at max volume for several seconds when you put them in your ear.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Truckondo Avatar
13 months ago
I remember using the service on my original AirPods Pro years ago. They replaced them in store after the test and they still work to this day. Gave them to my son when I got the USB-C AirPods Pro 2.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
beltzak Avatar
13 months ago
Very true. Never received any email regarding to covered plan even though I changed one of the AirPods Pro but within a year I got the other one cracking after warranty ended.

I guess that this is another awesome source of Apple’s income.
/s
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago
These programs usually replace the components with the same faulty components. Just like the butterfly keyboard.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago
if they cant fix it with a software update, theyll probably need a program like this for the iphone airs, most of them rattle even on 40-50% volume on facetime
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Okasian Avatar
13 months ago
I’ve logged into my MacRumours account for the first time in several years to post my experience on this.

I had this issue around 2022. “They” (Apple Authorised.. bla bla bla) replaced the buds. Completely faulty. They did not replace the case. I brought a £30 third-party case from Amazon, essentially having a new pair of AirPods Pro.

They’ve only recently started (Late 2025) to get to a point where I feel like the battery isn’t holding an adequate amount of charge.

Since then, two Apple die-hard friends of mine got the EarFun Pro, and so did I, about £50. Cheap. Chinese. (Always skeptical)

ANC much better. Night and day. Highly likely not as good as the new AirPods Pro 3, but £50 is 4x less than £220. Would not recommend buying AirPods again. Short life-span relative to price. Disposable. Vote with your wallet etc.

Logging out.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Pay Now Available in India With Axis Bank Cards
Apple Pay Now Available in India With Axis Bank Cards
6 hours ago
OpenAI Launches Always-On 'Dots' Agents to Rival Meta's Muse
OpenAI Launches Always-On 'Dots' Agents to Rival Meta's Muse
7 hours ago
AirPods 5 Teardown: Batteries Removable, Case Still Tough
AirPods 5 Teardown: Batteries Removable, Case Still Tough
8 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro Owners Complain of Speaker Crackling or Popping
iPhone 18 Pro Owners Complain of Speaker Crackling or Popping
9 hours ago
You Can 'Get Ready' for iPhone Duo Pre-Orders on October 12
You Can 'Get Ready' for iPhone Duo Pre-Orders on October 12
9 hours ago
Apple Pay Reportedly Launching in India Today
Apple Pay Reportedly Launching in India Today
10 hours ago
Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware
Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware
11 hours ago
Apple Shares New Guide for Using iOS 27 Parental Controls
Apple Shares New Guide for Using iOS 27 Parental Controls
11 hours ago
Apple Creator Studio and Final Cut Camera Get New Features
Apple Creator Studio and Final Cut Camera Get New Features
12 hours ago
Apple Explains Why It Removed ICE Tracking Apps Last Year
Apple Explains Why It Removed ICE Tracking Apps Last Year
12 hours ago
Amazon Expands $779.99 Apple Watch Ultra 4 Deal to More Models
Amazon Expands $779.99 Apple Watch Ultra 4 Deal to More Models
12 hours ago
Switch Siri AI for ChatGPT on Your Mac
Switch Siri AI for ChatGPT on Your Mac
12 hours ago
Apple Says Emergency SOS via Satellite Now Available in Norway
Apple Says Emergency SOS via Satellite Now Available in Norway
13 hours ago
AppleCare Guide: Is it Worth Paying For?
AppleCare Guide: Is it Worth Paying For?
13 hours ago
Apple Reportedly Planned to Replace 5,000 Support Employees With AI
Apple Reportedly Planned to Replace 5,000 Support Employees With AI
13 hours ago
Apple Planning to Launch Products Faster and More Often
Apple Planning to Launch Products Faster and More Often
14 hours ago
Amazon Discounting New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Alongside Early Prime Day Deals on Monitors
Amazon Discounting New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Alongside Early Prime Day Deals on Monitors
15 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K Hinted at in Support Document
New Apple TV 4K Hinted at in Support Document
16 hours ago
iPhone Duo Reportedly Facing Production Problems Ahead of Launch
iPhone Duo Reportedly Facing Production Problems Ahead of Launch
16 hours ago
Here's Why iPhone Apps Were Crashing
Here's Why iPhone Apps Were Crashing
16 hours ago
iPhone Duo Gets a Virtual Walkman App Ahead of Launch
iPhone Duo Gets a Virtual Walkman App Ahead of Launch
19 hours ago
iPhone Duo StandBy Leak Reveals Five Unannounced Faces
iPhone Duo StandBy Leak Reveals Five Unannounced Faces
1 day ago
Apple Releases watchOS 27.0.1 for Additional Models
Apple Releases watchOS 27.0.1 for Additional Models
1 day ago
iPhone 18 Pro First Impressions: What Do You Think So Far?
iPhone 18 Pro First Impressions: What Do You Think So Far?
1 day ago
iOS 26.7.1 Fixes Vulnerability Used in Targeted Attacks
iOS 26.7.1 Fixes Vulnerability Used in Targeted Attacks
1 day ago
Early Prime Day Deals Offer Up to 65% Off Anker and Jackery Power Stations
Early Prime Day Deals Offer Up to 65% Off Anker and Jackery Power Stations
2 days ago
Apple Releases macOS Golden Gate 27.0.1 With Bug Fixes
Apple Releases macOS Golden Gate 27.0.1 With Bug Fixes
2 days ago
Apple Releases iOS 27.0.1 With Face ID Bug Fix
Apple Releases iOS 27.0.1 With Face ID Bug Fix
2 days ago
Last Chance: OWC's Best Mac Accessories Are on Sale Just for MacRumors Readers
Last Chance: OWC's Best Mac Accessories Are on Sale Just for MacRumors Readers
2 days ago
12 New Things to Expect From Apple This October
12 New Things to Expect From Apple This October
2 days ago