Just developed a rattle in my left ear with noise canceling on. With transparency on they sound ok. Disappointing this has been an ongoing issue that still hasn't been resolved.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
AirPods Pro: Rattlegate
- Thread starter MacRumorsRanger
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I'm waiting on my replacement airpods pro. The right side started with occasional "audio feedback" when putting the right airpods pro in. Then a few months later I started to hear an occasional vibration/rattle when ANC/transparency is on. Not the right one always rattles. The left one started occasionally rattling about a week or so ago. The applecare rep made me do a few trouble shooting steps then put the request to have replacements sent out. The was 5 days ago and their status is still "part ship pending".
Mine rattled / distorted on certain songs at full volume right away. Nothing too terrible, but I'm returning and switching to the Bose sport earbuds where I can count on a better fit and better sound quality (at least if they're anything like my old soundsport earphones). I know Bose also has a new QuietComfort earbud option, but for these types of headphones I really don't find noise cancelation necessary.
Count me as another one with this issue.
Right Airpod is rattling.
Bought in November 2019 so at my limit for the 1 year Apple warranty.
Extremely disappointed that this issue is still happening with recent replacements.
Luckily in Europe (Poland) we have 2 year warranty (from the shop which is an Apple Authorized Seller) so I still have some cover. But beyond that I'm quite annoyed.
Right Airpod is rattling.
Bought in November 2019 so at my limit for the 1 year Apple warranty.
Extremely disappointed that this issue is still happening with recent replacements.
Luckily in Europe (Poland) we have 2 year warranty (from the shop which is an Apple Authorized Seller) so I still have some cover. But beyond that I'm quite annoyed.
Finally apple created a repair program for this. Applies to AirPods built before October 2020....so basically all potentially are affected. No wonder there are so many replaced ones having issues.
Apple Launches AirPods Pro Service Program for Crackling/Static Problems and ANC Issues
Apple today announced the launch of a new service program for AirPods Pro sound issues, which is designed to address AirPods Pro units experiencing...
www.macrumors.com
Faulty AirPods exhibit the following problems, according to Apple:
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
Affected AirPods were manufactured before October 2020, and those who have AirPods experiencing issues can take them to Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for service free of charge. Apple says that the AirPods Pro will be examined prior to service to verify that they're eligible for the program. AirPods Pro earbuds demonstrating the issue (left, right, or both) will be replaced.
The launch of the service program validates what so many of us have been saying all along. Finally.
And I am STILL on my original Airpods. Holding off buying the Pro. A shame Apple is unsure of exactly what is being done to fix these new Airpod Pros...
www.macrumors.com
Apple Launches AirPods Pro Service Program for Crackling/Static Problems and ANC Issues
Apple today announced the launch of a new service program for AirPods Pro sound issues, which is designed to address AirPods Pro units experiencing...
www.macrumors.com
If it was me, I’d wait a month before I made a claim. Let the initial rush clean out the old units.And just today I chat with Apple support and they’re sending me a new pair of APPs, I wonder if they’re sending me another pair manufactured before October 2020!!!??? Or the ones coming out of the oven tomorrow morning!!
Good idea but too late for me, I chatted with support before knowing anything about this so wish me luck
OP here, definitely great news Apple have FINALLY officially acknowledged the issue. ?
I do take issue with the phrase "a small percentage" in Apple's support document however. It seems Apple are being disingenuous and trying to hide the true extent of the problem (likely to avoid media attention affecting APP sales). This has affected every APP owner I know. And my 3rd set just started exhibiting the problem earlier this month as well, so I'll be having to arrange yet another replacement soon.
I think we should all be wary assuming an actual hardware design change has been made in models shipped post October. We'll have to wait and see.
Thanks to everyone who helped get the word out about this one, including to the MacRumours staff for their news coverage on the issue.
I do take issue with the phrase "a small percentage" in Apple's support document however. It seems Apple are being disingenuous and trying to hide the true extent of the problem (likely to avoid media attention affecting APP sales). This has affected every APP owner I know. And my 3rd set just started exhibiting the problem earlier this month as well, so I'll be having to arrange yet another replacement soon.
I think we should all be wary assuming an actual hardware design change has been made in models shipped post October. We'll have to wait and see.
Thanks to everyone who helped get the word out about this one, including to the MacRumours staff for their news coverage on the issue.
Apple Launches AirPods Pro Service Program for Crackling/Static Problems and ANC Issues
Apple today announced the launch of a new service program for AirPods Pro sound issues, which is designed to address AirPods Pro units experiencing...
Faulty AirPods exhibit the following problems, according to Apple:
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
Affected AirPods were manufactured before October 2020, and those who have AirPods experiencing issues can take them to Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for service free of charge. Apple says that the AirPods Pro will be examined prior to service to verify that they're eligible for the program. AirPods Pro earbuds demonstrating the issue (left, right, or both) will be replaced.
Noted with great interest.
I've had my AirPods Pros replaced once by Apple due to the crackling. The replacements are having the same problem and until I saw this new replacement initiative, I had simply decided to live with the issue.
I plan to take my AirPods to the Apple Store shortly, and I'll have them evaluate them and see if a replacement is merited.
Very happy to see they are doing this.
Mine also just started, literally as I am sitting on a train! As soon as I turn off ANC, they work fine. ALSO I received my AirPods on the 4th of November 2019 which means I should still have warranty right? The website says it expired already!
edit: actually it also happens with ACN off. It just depends on how much bass a song has.
Gonna call them tomorrow as our Apple Store in Berlin never ever seems to have appointments available
edit: actually it also happens with ACN off. It just depends on how much bass a song has.
Gonna call them tomorrow as our Apple Store in Berlin never ever seems to have appointments available
Last edited:
For products ordered from the online Apple Store, AppleCare begins when the product is shipped, not received. Since shipping usually takes at least two or three days, your standard one-year warranty probably expired yesterday or today.
But don't worry, as the Apple Service Program just announced for the APPs will have you covered if yours have the issue.
Last edited:
Great, so finally Apple are forced to deal with another faulty product line but haven't disclosed what is the cause of the issue or that they are addressing it in future manafactuering (I don't think they will. It will be addressed in a new model for 2021). Now consumers have to potentially play date of manafactuer lottery.
Also pandemic and lock downs aside, are Apple going to push for returning APP to a store for service? This would be more of an inconvenience than the current fix of phoning customer service and getting replacements mailed.
Also pandemic and lock downs aside, are Apple going to push for returning APP to a store for service? This would be more of an inconvenience than the current fix of phoning customer service and getting replacements mailed.
I fail to see the reason for complaint. They have announced that any AirPod Pros with this problem will be replaced. Where is the 'date of manufacturer lottery' here? They announced the program on Oct 30 and it applies to any AirPod Pros that were manufactured through October 2020 - in other words, every single one that has been manufactured to date. Nothing they shipped has been omitted.
As far as requiring the AirPods to be returned to a store, it doesn't need to be an Apple Store, it can be any authorized Apple service provider, i.e. any Best Buy as well as many other service locations. Given that they will want to diagnose the product in person, that is completely reasonable. And I would expect that if you are not in a location where there is any convenient place to return the AirPods, they will likely allow them to be sent to Apple for the same evaluation and replacement to be done.
The Service Program announcement says that it is for AirPod Pros manufactured before October 2020, not though October 20. That's why some of us are hoping that units manufactured since October 1 have some sort of hardware improvement that eliminates the defect.
My comment regarding the lottery is specific to the hundreds of already manafactuered units that would have been built before October that are sitting on shelves ready to ship out right now. If you purchase today do you want one of those units or a set built after the announcement?
Just ordered a replacement for mine today through the official Apple replacement program, I'm curious to see if the Hardware version that is visible under settings will change.