Can't pair my replacement AirPod Pro RIGHT bud...

[FellaMeLad]

Hey all, I bought my AirPods Pro (second generation with Lightning) around one year ago. Last week, I lost the right earbud.

On Monday, I opened a case with Apple to replace the right earbud and received it yesterday (paid £94). However, I am unable to pair it with my existing case and left bud.

I open the AirPods charging case and place the replacement right earbud into the case with the existing left earbud. The front light blinks orange. I then press and hold the reset button on the back of the case. After a few seconds, the light blinks white and then immediately blinks orange again.

I then see a Mismatched AirPods Pro message: "The AirPods in the charging case do not belong to you and do not work together". That's obviously a bogus error, as the left earbud is my original one:

I've tried 'Forget This Device' multiple times in an effort to set it up as new but it only works if only my original left AirPod Pro bud is in the case. In that scenario, I can set up the AirPod fine, and the left one works.

But if I put the replacement right earbud into the case and try to set up with that, it fails (just beeps and orange light continues to flash). If I put them both in, it fails with the Mismatched AirPods Pro message again.

Reference: My original left AirPod bud shows a model number of A2699. But the replacement right bud which I got yesterday shows a model number of A2698. That's strange as my original Left Airbud was purchased a year ago, but seems to have a more recent model number than the replacement I received yesterday?!?!

In the Settings app on my iPhone, however, it shows:

• Model Name: AirPods Pro
• Model Number: A2698
• Firmware version: 6A301

Any ideas/suggestions on how to progress here?

Thanks for taking the time to read.

 

[Fajahns]

Did you find a fix? I’ve got the same issue

 

[FellaMeLad]

Thanks for replying, but unfortunately I've not been able to fix this. I've left both AirPods charging in the case and connected that to my MacBook running Sonoma in the hope that the firmware would be updated, but no joy. I'm now going to leave just the new Airpod in the charging case, and leave it charging for a few hours to see if that helps.

I have a feeling that the buds are on different firmware versions, which might be contributing to the issue. So just trying to update both left and right to the latest firmware for now...

 

[BriceApp]

See if this helps. I got replacements last year for my original Pro’s and they showed up with different firmware versions. I had to do something like this to get them on the same version. It eventually worked.

https://www.reddit.com/r/airpods/comments/eyas45

 

[FellaMeLad]

See if this helps. I got replacements last year for my original Pro’s and they showed up with different firmware versions. I had to do something like this to get them on the same version. It eventually worked.

https://www.reddit.com/r/airpods/comments/eyas45

Thanks! Will check this out!

 

[Fajahns]

Thanks! Will check this out!

Any luck? I think this is a recent issue that’s come about with the new update

 

[FellaMeLad]

Any luck? I think this is a recent issue that’s come about with the new update

Hey Fajahns,

Unfortunately the steps in the Redit posts didn't help. For some reason, this right AirPod just doesn't want to pair with either my left one or, as mentioned above, it won't even pair with the charging case when it's sitting in there by itself.

So - I called Apple support earlier. We went through the things that I've already tried: forgetting the device, press and hold reset, etc. etc. a few other things, but still could not get it to pair.

Apple Support then suggested that I make a visit to see a Genius at my local Apple Store. Luckily, it's only 20 mins away from me, so I have an appointment booked for Sunday afternoon. I'm hopeful that, if they can't get them to pair, they'll have a replacement right bud or something for me. I'll keep this thread updated.

Good luck - I hope you get yours sorted! I love my AirPods and it's been annoying not being able to use them for the last week!

 

[Fajahns]

This is the same exact issue that I have. I’m going to try to see if I can get to an Apple Store soon.

 

[Beesknees]

Please update us on your progress. I have the exact same issue. Lost right AirPod Pro headphone, replacement will not connect at all. I get the same exact messages and images. I have also had two lengthy phone conversations with Apple second level support. The last one they just gave up and said they were elevating it to engineering. I am now awaiting a call back that looks like it won't be until next week.

They also said they think the issue is mismatched firmware. My existing left AirPod has the same firmware as yours which is 6A301. But Apple support thinks the replacement came with the latest Airpod Pro firmware which is 6A303. I emphasize they think this because we cannot connect to the replacement AirPod. The only way the reset process works is if I remove the replacement from the case and reset it. Unfortunately, that only connects the original left Airpod. If the replacement is left in the case I get the same mismatched image you posted where it says neither of the AirPods are mine.

All efforts to update the firmware have failed. Leave the one original in the case next to the phone overnight? Leave both old and new AirPods in overnight? Leave it both in and out with the case lid open and connected to the phone? How about hard connected to my MacBook? Tried them all and still stuck on 6A301 for the original AirPod.

Hopefully, your trip to the Genius Bar provides some better insights.

 

[Fajahns]

Do let us

Please update us on your progress. I have the exact same issue. Lost right AirPod Pro headphone, replacement will not connect at all. I get the same exact messages and images. I have also had two lengthy phone conversations with Apple second level support. The last one they just gave up and said they were elevating it to engineering. I am now awaiting a call back that looks like it won't be until next week.

They also said they think the issue is mismatched firmware. My existing left AirPod has the same firmware as yours which is 6A301. But Apple support thinks the replacement came with the latest Airpod Pro firmware which is 6A303. I emphasize they think this because we cannot connect to the replacement AirPod. The only way the reset process works is if I remove the replacement from the case and reset it. Unfortunately, that only connects the original left Airpod. If the replacement is left in the case I get the same mismatched image you posted where it says neither of the AirPods are mine.

All efforts to update the firmware have failed. Leave the one original in the case next to the phone overnight? Leave both old and new AirPods in overnight? Leave it both in and out with the case lid open and connected to the phone? How about hard connected to my MacBook? Tried them all and still stuck on 6A301 for the original AirPod.

Hopefully, your trip to the Genius Bar provides some better insights.

do let us know if you find a solution. I was referred to a premium reseller close to me by Apple Support. They said that this issue is only with AirPods Pro 2 and they are under the instruction to send them out to Apple. It is a known problem.

 

[RodThePlod]

Do let us

do let us know if you find a solution. I was referred to a premium reseller close to me by Apple Support. They said that this issue is only with AirPods Pro 2 and they are under the instruction to send them out to Apple. It is a known problem.

delete

 

[RodThePlod]

I have the same issue!

 

[FellaMeLad]

UPDATE: The Apple specialist at the Genius Bar confirmed that this is a known issue, possibly caused by a recent software or firmware update.

Apple have taken my AirPods for investigation and said I’d hear from them in the next few days. If they can get them paired, all well and good. If they can’t get them paired, then they’ll supply me with a new set of AirPods…

 

[FellaMeLad]

UPDATE 2: I've just had a message from Apple that my 'repair' is complete and my AirPods are back on their way to me. My guess is that the new AirPod Pro 2 firmware that was released this week (6A305) has been applied and fixed the pairing problem.

Hope to get them in a day or two...

 

[Beesknees]

My update: After a third second level support phone call they asked me to ship them in. I ended up taking them to the local Apple Store and was told that there is a hard message in the system that anyone with this issue has to send them in. They won't swap them with a new pair of AirPods. So my pair was shipped in on Wednesday of this week. I am supposed to get them back tomorrow, but I just checked the status and nothing has happened. The guy at the Apple Store is the one who told me the system estimated a delivery for tomorrow but warned that it will likely be next week. Looks like he was right.

 

[FellaMeLad]

So it seems like they have a handle on this issue. Good to hear. I was actually hoping for a new USB-C set, but oh well... I guess I get my Lightning ones back

One reason I wanted a new set was because my original left AirPod bud has obviously been used for a year, while the right one will be new. So there may be differences in battery life between the two (as well as other potential issues). Hope that's not the case - time will tell!

 

[FellaMeLad]

Final update: I visited the Apple Store to pick up my AirPods. Seems like Apple couldn't get them to pair either as they have replaced both the left and right buds with new ones!

Very happy to have a brand new pair instead of one old, and one new one. My charging case was personalized, so they obv didn't replace that. Hopefully you others who have this issue have a similar solution.

 

[Fajahns]

Excellent stuff - glad you’re all sorted. I gave my AirPods in too, they said I can grab them after they’ve been shipped back to the store for collection. Hopefully they give me a brand new pair too including the case haha

 

[FellaMeLad]

Excellent stuff - glad you’re all sorted. I gave my AirPods in too, they said I can grab them after they’ve been shipped back to the store for collection. Hopefully they give me a brand new pair too including the case haha

Fingers crossed for ya!

 

[ekwipt]

I had this issue, you have to lose them on iCloud as well