Apple finally released the long-awaited 3rd-generation AirPods in 2021, and they’re everything we wanted and more. They’re light, comfortable, and have a sleek new design. But are the AirPods now compatible with wireless charging?
Both 2nd- and 3rd-generation AirPods can be charged wirelessly. Simply place the case on a compatible wireless charger, and it will begin charging. Even 1st-generation AirPods, a non-wireless charging model, can be made wireless charging-compatible with the addition of an upgraded case.
Wireless charging is an increasingly popular feature on various devices, so it’s no surprise that Apple has followed suit with their AirPods. It’s just one more way to make our lives that little bit easier. Let’s look at how to charge your AirPods wirelessly and what benefits this feature offers.
Are AirPods Compatible With Wireless Charging?
Yes, Apple’s AirPods (on Amazon) are compatible with wireless chargers — or to be more precise, the AirPods charging case can be charged with a compatible wireless charger. However, all AirPods models aren’t equal when it comes to wireless charging support.
Apple has released three generations of AirPods so far: the 1st-gen original AirPods, the 2nd-gen AirPods, and the recently released 3rd-gen AirPods and AirPods Pro. The 1st-generation AirPods only support wired charging, whereas the later models support wired and wireless charging.
However, there’s more to it. The 2nd-generation AirPods came with a choice of either having a standard case or a wireless charging case. And that wireless technology works on Qi standard, so you can use any Qi-certified wireless charger to charge your 2nd-gen AirPods.
As for the 3rd-generation AirPods, they come with a wireless charging case as default, but now Apple has also introduced MagSafe wireless charging for the case. So they can be charged using any Qi-certified charger and Apple’s new MagSafe charger (on Amazon), which is faster.
Coming back to 1st-generation AirPods, they don’t support wireless charging, but there is a workaround. Many third-party companies have developed wireless charging cases for the 1st-generation AirPods. With these cases, you can use any Qi-certified wireless charger to charge your AirPods.
Can You Charge Your AirPods Without the Case?
No, you can’t charge your AirPods without the case. The only way to charge AirPods is by placing them in the charging case.
The charging case acts like a battery and has the niches to snap the AirPods in their place. Once you put your AirPods in the case and close it, the charging process starts automatically.
If you’ve lost your charging case or it’s damaged, buying a new compatible charging case (or borrowing one from somebody) is the only way to charge your AirPods.
There are some absurd claims out there that you can charge your AirPods by connecting them to DIY pin chargers or installing an app that charges your AirPods. But be warned, these are all scams, and you could end up damaging your AirPods if you follow such methods.
What’s the Battery Life of AirPods?
The overall battery life of AirPods is divided into two parts: the battery life of the AirPods themselves and the battery life of the charging case.
Here we have a breakdown of AirPods battery life by generations:
1st-generation AirPods:
- With the charging case: Up to 24 hours of listening time, up to 18 hours of talk time
- One full charge: Up to 5 hours of listening time, up to 2 hours of talk time
2nd-generation AirPods:
- With the wireless charging case: Up to 24 hours of listening time, up to 18 hours of talk time
- One full charge: Up to 5 hours of listening time, up to 3 hours of talk time
3rd-generation AirPods:
- With the wireless charging case: Up to 30 hours of listening time, up to 18 hours of talk time
- One full charge: Up to 6 hours of listening time, up to 4 hours of talk time
3rd-generation AirPods Pro:
- With the wireless charging case: More than 24 hours of listening time, up to 18 hours of talk time
- One full charge: Up to 4.5 hours of listening time, up to 3.5 hours of talk time
As you can see, there’s a significant difference in battery life between the generations. However, your usage also affects the battery life. The battery will drain faster if you’re playing music at a high volume, using active noise cancellation or spatial audio features.
What Should You Do if Your AirPods Aren’t Charging Wirelessly?
Wireless charging is a very convenient way to charge your devices, but sometimes it doesn’t work as expected. If your AirPods aren’t wirelessly charging, here are a few things you can do to fix the issue:
- Check if your AirPods are compatible with the charger you’re using. AirPods only support Qi-certified wireless chargers. If you’re using a non-Qi charger, that could be the reason why your AirPods aren’t wirelessly charging.
- Sometimes, the problem is with the charger and not the AirPods. If you’re using a third-party wireless charger, try charging your AirPods with an Apple-certified charger. If that doesn’t work, contact Apple Support.
- Make sure the lid is closed properly. If the lid isn’t closed properly, the charging process won’t start.
- Check if there’s any debris or dirt on the charging contacts. If there is, clean it off with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
- Make sure your AirPods are sitting correctly on the charger. If your case is not in its proper position, it won’t be charged. Always ensure the case starts charging when you put it on the charger.
How to Tell if Your AirPods Are Charging
The 2nd- and 3rd-gen AirPods cases have a status LED on the front. When you put the case on the charger, the LED lights up for 8 seconds, indicating the case has started charging. A red light means the case is charging, and a green light means the case is fully charged.