AirPods Max Headband replacement from Apple

[scotio200]

Have had my AirPods Max since launch, use them for around 5-7 hours per day with work. However, recently the mesh on headband has started to loose its elasticity and now when wearing them the hard plastic part of the headband presses into my head and they are extremely uncomfortable after 20 minutes of wearing them.

Do Apple offer replacement headbands as a service part or will I need a whole unit replacement?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Apple doesn’t sell replacement parts directly. If they’re under warranty, you can send them in or take them into a service center. They might just replace the part, or they might exchange them - no way to know. If they’re covered by AppleCare+ in some countries, Apple will send you a replacement set & then you return the originals (Express Replacement). If they’re out of warranty carry-in is best, to local Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.

 

[doolar]

I have the same on mine, I’ve used them so much since I got them early 2021, it’s pretty impressive they lasted this long (I use them for at least five hours almost every day). Was just about to create a thread on it, when I saw this one. I asked at my local Apple Store a week ago or so, and they didn’t know.

I don’t have AppleCare on my APM’s, and I’m not too upset about the canopy losing its shape after constant use. I do however worry about the cost of replacing the canopy.

Once it’s too far gone I’ll book an appointment at the Apple Store and see what solution they offer, if any.

 

[marketingbawse]

Have had my AirPods Max since launch, use them for around 5-7 hours per day with work. However, recently the mesh on headband has started to loose its elasticity and now when wearing them the hard plastic part of the headband presses into my head and they are extremely uncomfortable after 20 minutes of wearing them.

Do Apple offer replacement headbands as a service part or will I need a whole unit replacement?

View attachment 2053558

If you have Apple Care, they will replace the headband. I had the exact same thing happen and got mine replaced under AppleCare.

 

[jon3543]

If you have Apple Care, they will replace the headband. I had the exact same thing happen and got mine replaced under AppleCare.

How does that work? I brought a pair in because of clicking coming from the headband, and the guy spent five minutes determining they couldn't order just a replacement headband, and they'd have to send the whole thing to the repair center. This was under warranty, however, not Apple Care, and it sucks if the policies are different.

 

[marketingbawse]

I connected with Apple Support before taking it in to the Genius Bar. Sent them pictures and explained the issue. They can set up replacement as well. I opted for the Genius Bar hoping to get it replaced in store. Genius Bar couldn’t replace in store and had to ship it out. They took the headset, but you keep your ear cushions. And I received a replacement headset a few days later. Try doing Apple Chat Support.

 

[scotio200]

Just got back from the Apple Store. They looked at the headband and all they offered was a whole unit replacement for €320! I spoke with a manager and they insisted that the headband could not be removed, which is why they can’t offer just the headband as a part.

I then took a sim pin, and showed them just how “hard” it is to remove the headband (it’s very, very easy) which then lead them to just turn to “well the part is not on our list, so there is nothing we can do.

What’s even worse is, if I had gone in, told them my battery was having issues they would have replaced the whole unit for €80! But now I’ve got a case on the system reporting another fault, I can kiss that option goodbye.

They really didn’t want to offer me an alternative or care about helping at all. They clearly didn’t like that I proved them wrong about removing the headband and that seemed to rub them the wrong way, at that point they couldn’t care less and just wanted me to leave. I stayed calm the entire time, did not raise my voice. I just had answers for everything they tried to counter me with, and they didn’t like it. Must have hurt their ego or something.

 

[Htsi]

Man, you should’ve used the battery option. I would say try it at another store. Dont give up hope.
I had mine replaced this year in march, but now do not have apple care on them. The worst case scenario can be to buy a for parts model on eBay and swap the headband. The other is to buy a headband protector which may be more comfortable.

 

[Htsi]

Just got back from the Apple Store. They looked at the headband and all they offered was a whole unit replacement for €320! I spoke with a manager and they insisted that the headband could not be removed, which is why they can’t offer just the headband as a part.

I then took a sim pin, and showed them just how “hard” it is to remove the headband (it’s very, very easy) which then lead them to just turn to “well the part is not on our list, so there is nothing we can do.

What’s even worse is, if I had gone in, told them my battery was having issues they would have replaced the whole unit for €80! But now I’ve got a case on the system reporting another fault, I can kiss that option goodbye.

They really didn’t want to offer me an alternative or care about helping at all. They clearly didn’t like that I proved them wrong about removing the headband and that seemed to rub them the wrong way, at that point they couldn’t care less and just wanted me to leave. I stayed calm the entire time, did not raise my voice. I just had answers for everything they tried to counter me with, and they didn’t like it. Must have hurt their ego or something.

I will tell you another story like this. My dad’s Apple Watch series 5 was dying in under 2 hours. I took it to the ASS, number one, they said they have never taken in a watch for a battery service And as far as they are aware it is not offered in my country. Two the watch didn’t fail the battery diagnostic so I was offered the full watch replacement fee as an option. Luckily for me, I reset and set the watch up as new which solved his battery woes.
In my case, Series 6 AC+ enough said for $72 claim fee.

 

[Htsi]

All their eco friendly ness down the drain if they don’t offer battery service on a watch, don’t you think.
AC+ claim is the cost of battery replacement in my country, and I have accepted that middle ground.

 

[element94]

Just got back from the Apple Store. They looked at the headband and all they offered was a whole unit replacement for €320! I spoke with a manager and they insisted that the headband could not be removed, which is why they can’t offer just the headband as a part.

I then took a sim pin, and showed them just how “hard” it is to remove the headband (it’s very, very easy) which then lead them to just turn to “well the part is not on our list, so there is nothing we can do.

What’s even worse is, if I had gone in, told them my battery was having issues they would have replaced the whole unit for €80! But now I’ve got a case on the system reporting another fault, I can kiss that option goodbye.

They really didn’t want to offer me an alternative or care about helping at all. They clearly didn’t like that I proved them wrong about removing the headband and that seemed to rub them the wrong way, at that point they couldn’t care less and just wanted me to leave. I stayed calm the entire time, did not raise my voice. I just had answers for everything they tried to counter me with, and they didn’t like it. Must have hurt their ego or something.

Yeah apple retail in the modern era is almost like a different company than the Apple we admire, in my experience. Retail staff hiring happens through a third party and the process is somewhat cringy.

Anyways had a similar experience recently on Christmas Eve trying to use Apple Card monthly installments (why not, no interest!!) to pay for something and there kept being an obscure error during a stage of the process where a link is opened from a QR code. The regular employees were great, but when something opaque and clearly on Apple's end went wrong, the sycophantic and obviously non-technical manager tried to assert that it HAD to be something with my device and specifically stressed that IT COULDN'T BE A PROBLEM WITH APPLE or THIS APPLE STORE (San Mateo, CA). (because my device has NEVER opened a link in safari ... /s) NO problem, easy debug, had more than one apple device on me. The manager got salty AF !!!! clearly not used to being challenged when she was clearly wrong (AND in the wrong). Not only could they not make the advertised service work (bugs are inevitable, would have been fine), but she insisted on angering me by gaslighting that she knew what the hell she was talking about (she didn't) and blaming (ambiguously) the customer. Only reason I even made the purchase was because it was too late to go to a different store and it was xmas eve. Apple retail needs to take a hard look - the experience felt reminiscent of the John Browett moment (worst apple retail chief of all time). I could tell the employees didn't dig her vibes either.

Anyways regarding the headphones, looking for a similar solution for headband soon. Anything new on this since September?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Just got back from the Apple Store. They looked at the headband and all they offered was a whole unit replacement for €320! I spoke with a manager and they insisted that the headband could not be removed, which is why they can’t offer just the headband as a part.

I then took a sim pin, and showed them just how “hard” it is to remove the headband (it’s very, very easy) which then lead them to just turn to “well the part is not on our list, so there is nothing we can do.

What’s even worse is, if I had gone in, told them my battery was having issues they would have replaced the whole unit for €80! But now I’ve got a case on the system reporting another fault, I can kiss that option goodbye.

They really didn’t want to offer me an alternative or care about helping at all. They clearly didn’t like that I proved them wrong about removing the headband and that seemed to rub them the wrong way, at that point they couldn’t care less and just wanted me to leave. I stayed calm the entire time, did not raise my voice. I just had answers for everything they tried to counter me with, and they didn’t like it. Must have hurt their ego or something.

If you can get them to replace the battery for €80 I'd just go to a different store and approach them using that angle. Don't even mention the headband... That sounds like a lot just to get a new headband personally.. Are there any 3rd party offerings available? Not sure if it's something that would interest you but a quick search brought up these:

WQNIDE Headband Cover for AirPods Max, Washable Soft Silicone Headphone Headband Protectors/Comfort Cushion/Top Pad Protector Sleeve Compatible with Apple AirPods Max (Red)

WQNIDE Replacement Headband Cushion/Headband Cover Compatible for AirPod Max Headphones. This silicone earpads cover hand feels as delicate as baby skin, and brings a soft and comfortable hand feeling is available in 5 colors: Black, Red, Blue, Orange, Fluorescent Green. You can choose the color...

www.amazon.com

 

[Htsi]

Even my headband is looking pretty shabby for a product that was replaced under warranty last march. Sigh.

 

[doolar]

If you can get them to replace the battery for €80 I'd just go to a different store and approach them using that angle. Don't even mention the headband... That sounds like a lot just to get a new headband personally.. Are there any 3rd party offerings available? Not sure if it's something that would interest you but a quick search brought up these:

WQNIDE Headband Cover for AirPods Max, Washable Soft Silicone Headphone Headband Protectors/Comfort Cushion/Top Pad Protector Sleeve Compatible with Apple AirPods Max (Red)

WQNIDE Replacement Headband Cushion/Headband Cover Compatible for AirPod Max Headphones. This silicone earpads cover hand feels as delicate as baby skin, and brings a soft and comfortable hand feeling is available in 5 colors: Black, Red, Blue, Orange, Fluorescent Green. You can choose the color...

www.amazon.com

I’m thinking this too about replacing the battery. Mine are two years old an heavily used.

Does anybody know if they perform a battery test on the Max’s?

 

[ignatius345]

I’m thinking this too about replacing the battery. Mine are two years old an heavily used.

Does anybody know if they perform a battery test on the Max’s?

Not sure about testing the battery, but APM were getting short on battery life after 2.5 years of heavy use, so I took them in for an $80 battery replacement. They arrived back at the store a couple days later and they'd replaced the entire right ear cup. I was surprised about that as it wasn't damaged or malfunctioning in any way. They also replaced the headband, which was quite welcome. It's nice and springy and white again. Not a bad deal for $80.

 

[doolar]

My headband is sagging, and my set also had severely degraded battery, so I took them to the local Apple Store for a battery replacement. They were first diagnosed with a faulty Ethernet port which neither I nor the Apple Store staff understood, so they sent them again ordering a battery replacement.

I got them back today and they’ve replaced the right earcup and nothing else. So that all battery replacements automatically means a new set is simply not true. They may do so, especially if you have AppleCare+.

I asked the person helping me at the AS if he had a quote for the headband, but he didn’t. He did tell me that the headband is easily replaceable with a simtray tool though.

He offered to send them again for a quote but I declined, I’m not too bothered by the sagging headband, the battery was my main issue and that’s of course remedied.

 

[perezr10]

Just an FYI. I don’t know about the quality of an Amazon replacement band.

 

[ISignedUpToAskThis]

Keep an eye out on eBay - I've seen genuine OEM headbands (at least they claim to be) pop up occasionally on there.

 

[mcewen98]

Same story with my Airpod Max headphones. I bought them during the pandemic in March 2021. I used them heavily almost every day for working from home for 18 months. I never traveled with them, never hung them by the headband. They literally stayed either on my desk in the case or on my head. The headband became so loose they became very uncomfortable. I went to Apple and heard the same story about having the replace everything for an out of warranty cost of $350. I even showed them the difference between my band the display model. The fact that apple doesn't sell the headband when it's obviously designed to be replaceable is frustrating. This experience makes me concerned about how well the Vision Pro will hold up over time.

 

[Edd70]

Just an FYI. I don’t know about the quality of an Amazon replacement band.



View attachment 2322488

Same story with my Airpod Max headphones. I bought them during the pandemic in March 2021. I used them heavily almost every day for working from home for 18 months. I never traveled with them, never hung them by the headband. They literally stayed either on my desk in the case or on my head. The headband became so loose they became very uncomfortable. I went to Apple and heard the same story about having the replace everything for an out of warranty cost of $350. I even showed them the difference between my band the display model. The fact that apple doesn't sell the headband when it's obviously designed to be replaceable is frustrating. This experience makes me concerned about how well the Vision Pro will hold up over time.

The Amazon replacement suggestion above could be good, and there are likely other options. On a pair of Sennheiser TV headphones, I was able to cheaply replace the earcups and headband, the headphones felt like brand new. Not worth going back and forth with Apple if you can solve it for under $20. As long as it's comfortable I wouldn't care about the looks.

 

[VPVP]

Hello MacRumors,

I made an account to share my experience, thanks for the info everyone. That is a great idea Perexr10, to buy a cover for the headband. I might do that just to personalize mine, my relative bought earcup covers with flowers printed on them to match her MacBook case.

I was also able to remove my headband with a sim removal tool (take out the earcups and push it into the hole near the headband) so I swapped it with the headband from my old AirPods Max which had stopped connecting. Much better than that pale whitish band and I was able to give it a very thorough wash, yay!

 

[hellosil]

Hello MacRumors,

I made an account to share my experience, thanks for the info everyone. That is a great idea Perexr10, to buy a cover for the headband. I might do that just to personalize mine, my relative bought earcup covers with flowers printed on them to match her MacBook case.

I was also able to remove my headband with a sim removal tool (take out the earcups and push it into the hole near the headband) so I swapped it with the headband from my old AirPods Max which had stopped connecting. Much better than that pale whitish band and I was able to give it a very thorough wash, yay!

About your old AirPods Max which had stopped connecting:
depending on what the issue was, it might be worth to give them another go after draining the battery completely.

I had connection issues with mine, after lots of attempts to fix it (including Apple support) I decided to purchase new ones.
Then after months of not charging the old ones I tried connecting them after plugging them in a charger.
They connected and after waiting for the latest firmware update (that took 2 days) they now work as new again.

They now only have that worn out mesh issue. 🥹