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TikTok Trend Debunked: No, Apple Is Not Giving Away Free AirPods

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No, Apple is not giving away free AirPods, despite what you may be seeing on your TikTok "For You" page.

airpodsd-3-purple-4.jpg

In the last several weeks, hundreds of videos have spawned on TikTok claiming that Apple is giving away free AirPods replacement as long as you simply walk into an Apple Store and ask for a new free pair. The trend implies that "AirPods" users can walk into an Apple Store, claim their earbuds are not working in some shape or form, and proceed to receive a replacement pair of AirPods - with no questions asked. A popular video from the trend can be found below:

@milansinghhh Apple doesn’t want you to know this 🤫 #money #airpods #apple #finance #iphone ♬ original sound - Milan 🤑​

The trend is an obvious mischaracterization of Apple's AirPods Pro replacement program, which is offered to customers with AirPods Pro manufactured before October 2020 who may be experiencing static or issues with Active Noise Cancellation. That program, unlike what the trend suggests, requires employees to actually confirm the left, right, or both AirPods Pro earbuds are defective in some way.

While it may seem like a harmless TikTok trend by ill-informed content creators, the trend is causing a headache for Apple Stores. The videos have caused an uptick in appointments to Apple Stores by customers who believe they're eligible for a free pair of replacement AirPods when in reality, they aren't.

Two sources who spoke to MacRumors on the condition of anonymity said appointments for AirPods-related issues have nearly doubled in the last several weeks alone as the trend has gained momentum on TikTok. To make it abundantly clear, here are the requirements for only the AirPods Pro replacement program:
Apple has determined that a small percentage of AirPods Pro may experience sound issues. Affected units were manufactured before October 2020.

An affected AirPods Pro may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:

Crackling or static sounds that increase in loud environments, with exercise or while talking on the phone
Active Noise Cancellation not working as expected, such as a loss of bass sound, or an increase in background sounds, such as street or airplane noise
Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will service the affected AirPods Pro (left, right, or both) free of charge.
Click to expand...
Customers who are eligible for this program can make an appointment at their nearest Apple Store or authorized service provider. More details on the program can be found on Apple's support website.

Article Link: TikTok Trend Debunked: No, Apple Is Not Giving Away Free AirPods
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/07/29/tiktok-trend-debunked-apple-free-airpods/
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I twice have had my AirPods Pro replaced by Apple (not the case just the buds) under that program well out of warranty.

But they tested each pod first. They don’t just hand it over. And no case.
 
Misinformation seems to be a trend in and of itself on TikTok.

It starts with something that has a grain of truth to it, but then the nuance gets thrown out and it catches traction because there's enough believability to make it "seem true" (like in the video where the guy shows the screenshot of the trade in program, instantly giving it some credibility but it's gone before you can read it).
 
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This reminds me, I do need to bring in my AirPod Pro to get them repaired. The ones I got last year BF have static and muffled sound out of the right bud :(
 
Apple giving away something for free?!
Oh please...
I have already started dieting to have my kidneys as clean as possible for when I'll have to sell both for the Iphone 14 Pro.
 
MacRumors said:
Apple's AirPods Pro replacement program, which is offered to customers with AirPods Pro manufactured before October 2020 who may be experiencing static or issues with Active Noise Cancellation.
Click to expand...
This is why I try to avoid buying devices so soon after they first come out.
 
This totally works well with an ad I’ve been seeing a lot from TikTok recently called #TikTokTaughtMe that encourages people to rely on that platform to make good decisions. I can’t think of another social media company that’s gone to that length.
 
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