Ever wondered exactly when your AirPods Pro rolled off the production line? Whether you’re buying secondhand, verifying authenticity, or just curious about your gadget’s age, knowing the manufacturing date can be surprisingly important.
Understanding when your AirPods Pro were made helps you check warranty status, predict battery health, and avoid models with known issues. In this article, we’ll show you easy ways to find your AirPods Pro’s production date, complete with step-by-step guidance and practical tips.
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How to Tell When Your AirPods Pro Were Manufactured
If you own a pair of AirPods Pro, you may wonder when they were manufactured. Knowing the manufacturing date is useful for purposes like warranty checks, understanding hardware revisions, or verifying authenticity. Luckily, with a few simple steps, you can find out when your AirPods Pro were made. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, breaking it down into clear and easy steps.
Why the Manufacturing Date Matters
Before diving into the how-to, let’s look at why you might care about your AirPods Pro’s manufacturing date:
- Warranty & Support: Apple warranties last one year from the purchase date or manufacturing date (depending on the situation).
- Hardware Revisions: Apple occasionally updates internal components. Certain improvements or bug fixes may only appear from a specific manufacturing date.
- Service Programs: Some replacement or service eligibility (like noise-cancellation issues) depends on when your AirPods were made.
- Authenticity Checks: Confirming if your product is genuine often involves the production date.
How to Check When Your AirPods Pro Were Manufactured
Determining the manufacture date requires finding your AirPods Pro serial number and using it to decode the date, or simply checking with Apple’s tools. Let’s break down your options:
1. Locate Your AirPods Pro Serial Number
You’ll need the serial number to find out when your AirPods Pro were made. Here’s how you can find it:
- On the Charging Case: Open the lid of your AirPods Pro charging case. The serial number is printed on the inside, near where the lid attaches.
- On Your iPhone: With your AirPods Pro connected, go to:
Settings>Bluetooth.- Find your AirPods Pro in the list of devices and tap the (i) information icon.
- The serial number will be displayed there.
- On the Box or Receipt: If you kept the original box or purchase receipt, the serial number should also be printed there.
2. Decode the Serial Number (Manual Method)
Apple’s serial numbers include information about the manufacture date, typically encoded within certain digits. For most AirPods Pro, look at the 4th to 5th or 4th to 7th characters.
How to Decode:
- The 4th character usually represents the year.
- The 5th character often represents the week of manufacture.
- For newer AirPods Pro, a more advanced 10 or 12-digit serial number may be used. In these, it can be more complex to decode the exact date.
Note: Apple periodically changes their serial number structure, so manual decoding may not always be possible.
3. Use Apple’s Online Support Tools
The fastest and most reliable approach is to use Apple’s official support tools.
Steps:
- Visit the Apple “Check Coverage” page (do not need to include external links, just know the process).
- Enter your serial number.
- The system will display the date of purchase or coverage start. This can indicate a window of when the AirPods Pro were manufactured.
Benefits:
- Accurate and official.
- Confirms your warranty status at the same time.
- Suggests whether your set is genuine.
4. Contact Apple Support Directly
If you want the most accurate manufacturing date:
- Reach out to Apple Support via chat, phone, or in-store.
- Provide them with your serial number.
- They can access internal systems to tell you precisely when your AirPods Pro were made.
Why do this?
- Especially useful for eligibility in certain service or recall programs.
- Ideal if you are considering a purchase of pre-owned AirPods Pro.
Detailed Steps: Checking Production Date Step-by-Step
Let’s lay it out concisely:
- Find your serial number
- Use your iPhone’s settings, the inside of the charging case, or your original packaging.
- Use an Apple Support channel
- Go to Apple’s warranty check tool and input your serial number.
- Alternatively, contact Apple Support for confirmation.
- For enthusiasts: Try decoding
- Use the structure of the serial to infer year and week of manufacture.
- Remember, not all serials are human-decipherable due to Apple’s newer coding.
Benefits of Knowing Your AirPods Pro’s Manufacture Date
Being aware of when your AirPods Pro were produced goes beyond curiosity. Here are some advantages:
- Peace of Mind: You know exactly how old your device is.
- Warranty Claims: You can confirm if you’re within the AppleCare coverage period.
- Upgrade Timing: Decide on upgrades based on hardware revisions or improvements.
- Service Program Eligibility: Some AirPods Pro suffered known hardware issues; the manufacturing date can determine if you qualify for free repairs or replacements.
- Buying Used: Helps you make smarter choices when purchasing pre-owned items.
Challenges and Limitations
While it’s generally straightforward, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Serial Number Changes: Apple updates their serial code format, so manual decoding isn’t always possible.
- Replacement Units: If you received a replacement under warranty, it may have a different manufacture date than your original purchase.
- Third-Party Sellers: Some sellers may try to obscure the manufacturing date or provide inaccurate information.
- Fakes & Counterfeits: Cloned or knockoff AirPods may have invalid or misleading serial numbers.
Practical Tips and Best Practices
Here are some expert tips to make the process smoother:
- Keep Your Box & Receipts: These make warranty checks and resale easier.
- Register With Apple ID: Link your AirPods Pro to your Apple ID, making support interactions easier.
- Check for AppleCare: If you’re within a year of manufacture, consider AppleCare+ for longer protection.
- Verify Before Buying Used: Always confirm serial number and manufacture date before buying pre-owned AirPods Pro.
- Contact Apple For Difficult Cases: If there’s any doubt, Apple Support is always ready to help.
Common Situations and Examples
Let’s clarify with some practical scenarios:
- My AirPods Pro acting up with noise-cancellation: Know your manufacturing date to check for eligibility in known recall/service programs.
- Buying used AirPods Pro online: Always request the serial number and verify the date using Apple’s tools.
- Lost the box? No problem! Use the inside of the charging case or your iPhone’s Bluetooth settings.
Troubleshooting: If You Can’t Find the Manufacture Date
If you’re struggling to determine when your AirPods Pro were manufactured, consider these steps:
- Double-check Serial Number: Make sure you’re using the right serial from the charging case, not the earbuds.
- Device Not Recognized: If Apple’s website won’t recognize your serial, it might be a sign of a counterfeit product.
- Contact Apple Support: If all else fails, reach out to Apple directly; they have access to information beyond public tools.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I find my AirPods Pro serial number if I lost my charging case?
If you’ve paired your AirPods Pro to an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods Pro, and scroll to see the serial number. The original box or purchase receipt also lists the serial number.
Can I decode the manufacture date myself from the serial number?
Sometimes you can, especially with older Apple device serials that include codes for year and week. For recent AirPods Pro, Apple’s coding has changed, making manual decoding unreliable. Using Apple’s official tools is more accurate.
Why does the manufacture date matter if I have my purchase date?
The manufacture date is relevant for known production issues, hardware revisions, or eligibility for certain Apple replacement programs. Also, the warranty may start based on the manufacture date in some circumstances.
What do I do if my AirPods Pro were manufactured during a ‘problematic’ period?
Apple has acknowledged some defects for AirPods Pro units made before October 2020 (like crackling sounds). If your pair matches this, check with Apple Support about eligibility for their replacement or repair program.
Can counterfeit AirPods Pro show a manufacture date?
Fake AirPods Pro may have a serial number, but often it won’t check out with Apple’s tools or the serial may be duplicated from genuine devices. If Apple’s website does not recognize your serial number, it’s a red flag that your AirPods Pro might not be authentic.
In Summary
Finding out when your AirPods Pro were manufactured is easy if you follow the right steps. Get your serial number, check it through Apple’s support tools, and, if necessary, contact Apple Support for details. Knowing your device’s manufacture date can help with warranty coverage, service programs, and ensure you’re using a genuine product. Stay informed and enjoy your AirPods Pro with greater confidence!
