Hello, 911? It’s an emergency! You better come quick!
Oh, no… I’m losing them…
And…they’re gone.
My AirPods just died!
If you’re worried the same might happen to yours…
And you want to prevent it…
Keep reading to discover:
- What breaks your AirPods.
- 5 tips on how you can make them last longer.
- Warning signs that your AirPods are close to dying.
- How long a pair of AirPods should last before breaking.
- And so much more…
How long do AirPods last before breaking?
A pair of AirPods can last up to 3 years if it’s well taken care of. Users report that their AirPods lasted them an average of 1.5 to 2 years before needing a battery replacement. AirPods use Lithium-ion batteries, which reportedly last up to 500 charging cycles.
How to make AirPods last longer? 5 tips
#1: Minimize time at 0% and 100%
I’m a little bit OCD when it comes to charging.
I used to charge my gadgets to 100% every single time. Especially my AirPods that now only last me an hour before dying. Sometimes, my left AirPod dies first or vice versa.
So I did a little digging and found that I’ve been charging my gadgets wrong.
How come?
Charging at 100% and fully discharging your AirPods can degrade their battery.
But you might ask, “Then why is it that I can charge my phone and laptop to 100%?”
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
Or, at least, if they’re powered by Lithium-ion batteries. Which most newer models use because Li-ion batteries are more lightweight and efficient.
Furthermore, completely discharging your AirPods can also degrade them by itself.
An experiment was once conducted on a battery analyzer to find out how to optimize battery life. It was shown that the maximum capacity of a Li-ion battery was decreased by 10% after a full drain.
Note: The rule of thumb is to charge your device when it’s at 10% to 20%. Don’t remove the charger until it reaches 80%, but no more than 90%.
So next time, charge your AirPods with care. It makes a world of difference in their battery life.
#2: Avoid high-moisture environments
Your AirPods are not waterproof, they are water-resistant.
It means that your AirPods are still susceptible to water damage.
Your AirPods run on electricity. Because of this, AirPods can have internal damage when exposed to moisture.
Remember that water and electricity are just like oil and, well…water. They just don’t mix.
For your AirPods’ safety, you should stop:
- Showering with your AirPods.
- Wearing your AirPods during a thunderstorm.
- Walking around a swimming pool with your AirPods in your pocket (In case someone pushes you).
Unfortunately for me, the last one hits way too close to home.
Furthermore, their water-resistance can also wear off over time.
This means that the older your AirPods are, the more prone it is to humidity.
Note: If you’re clumsy or you happen to live in a rainy area, consider buying an ear hook.
Apple actually recommends that you buy a replacement when your AirPods become water-damaged.
But don’t impulsively buy one yet. You should always try home remedies first.
To fix your AirPods’ water damage:
- Make sure that your AirPods are connected to an Apple device.
- Dry the water outside using a rag.
- Install Siri Shortcuts.
- Cover the sensors using your fingers.
- On Siri Shortcuts, press ‘Water Eject’.
- Remove the water coming out of your AirPods using a dry cloth.
- Repeat until no water is coming out of your AirPods.
For more information, watch this video:
Note: You may have heard of dropping your devices on a bag of uncooked rice for it to absorb the moisture. This has been proven to be false.
#3: Keep it at 50% when storing
Are you going away for a while and you’re not bringing your AirPods with you?
Or are you simply just going to sleep for the night?
Either way, before you go, make sure that your AirPods are at around 50% capacity.
Experts found that 40% to 50% is the optimum capacity for Lithium-ion storage.
At this capacity, you’re allowing your AirPods to self-discharge without being drained.
It might be worth sacrificing a few minutes from your sleep just to wait until your AirPods are at 50%.
#4: Avoid extreme temperatures
Global warming affects everyone.
Men, women, adults, children, rich, poor, AirPods.
Wait, what?
AirPods self-discharge during storage.
And, according to experts, self-discharge accelerates under high temperatures. The rate doubles every 10°C temperature increase.
With this rate of self-discharge, your AirPods reach 0% faster than intended.
The longer your AirPods are at 0%, the more prone their batteries are to degrade.
To avoid this, you should always:
- Keep your AirPods at room temperature.
- Tuck your AirPods in its case every night.
- Don’t bring it out when you’re walking in the sun.
- Minimize exposure to hot environments such as furnaces or bonfires.
The AirPods’ most optimal temperature for storage is between 5°C and 20°C.
Remember, battery degradation equals AirPods breaking. And we don’t want that.
#5: Use your AirPods
How often do you actually use your AirPods?
Every day? Once a week? Once a month?
Or, if you have tinnitus like me, you never really take it off. I just love the voice of Joni Mitchell drowning out the constant buzzing in my ear.
Studies show that Lithium-ion batteries lose capacity when they’re not used. Significantly so, in fact.
I know it’s easy to be forgetful sometimes. But you can extend your AirPods’ life. Just by simply:
- Using it every day.
- Turning it on once a week.
- Charging it every six months at least.
Don’t let your AirPods die because of not using them.
Live a life with music. Dance a little more.