Apple AirPods are a new generation of Bluetooth earbuds that are designed to be highly portable yet produce excellent sound.
AirPods remain popular despite only having been in existence for a few generations (and just one generation for the upgraded model).
They may be taken anywhere – to work, school, the beach, during a morning jog, to the grocery store, etc.
However… Uh-oh! The case for your AirPods 2 has been lost or damaged irreparably. How do you safely store and recharge it? Your desk drawer is jammed with the AirPods 1 case. Are AirPods 2 earbuds capable of being charged by it?
What is the difference between AirPods 1 and 2?
There is no continuity in the case of AirPods 1 and 2, but they can still be charged interchangeably. It is important to note that the major difference between the two generations of cases is the addition of Qi wireless charging to the AirPods 2 (and Pro) cases, eliminating the need for a charging cable.
It is not necessary to plug the case into a power source to charge the earbuds.
Even though both the 2 and Pro generations include Qi wireless charging, these cases can be interchanged as necessary.
Why are the second-generation AirPods so different from the first? What’s the secret to Apple’s interchangeable cases?
How often can you charge your AirPods in the “wrong” case before they get damaged? Here’s what you need to know.
Which of the AirPods 1 and 2 generations are different?
The AirPods 1 came onto the market in December of 2016, and since then there have been two generations of the standard model and one generation of the Pro model.
There was no doubt that the first generation achieved a lot of goals, but the second generation improved connectivity by 150%, including the hands-free version of “Hey, Siri”, improved the battery life by about 50%, and introduced Qi Wireless Charging.
The Qi still conforms to the standard.
One change is that the AirPods 2 case is 2 grams heavier because it is also equipped with Qi Wireless charging.
But, in reality, it is difficult to discern the difference when holding this case.
Can I use the cases interchangeably?
Yes, the AirPods 2 case is backward compatible with the original AirPods. The Qi standard for charging is built into both cases, so the earbuds themselves can be charged using either.
So, if your AirPods 2 case is lost or damaged, you can simply pop your AirPods 2 earbuds into your AirPods 1 case.
You only need to use wired charging.
Please note that the AirPods 1 or 2 are not compatible with the AirPods Pro.
The case is specifically designed for the device, and the battery life is shorter since they have active noise canceling built into them.
There is a five-hour improvement in battery life between the AirPods 1 and 2.
If you need a new case for your AirPods 1, 2, or Pro, you can either visit an Apple store within driving distance or order one from the Apple website.
Using a different charging case will damage my AirPods?
AirPods will not be damaged by changing the AirPods cases around.
Apple has verified that any standard AirPods case will work with either generation of earphones.
The Pro cannot be used with either generation of standard AirPods as the wires are different.
There is the potential for damaging some Pro earbuds if you try to squeeze them into the smaller standard AirPods case – they do not fit into the smaller device.
Can I only buy a new AirPods 1 or 2 case if mine gets lost or broken?
No way. If you want, you can always get a second AirPods 1 or 2 case.
Take one with you, leave one at home. It never hurts to have a backup.
You never know what’s going to happen tomorrow.
Apple carries these cases, but you can find cheaper ones online from third-party vendors.
Is it possible to buy the AirPods themselves without the case?
You may save some money if you purchase both AirPods at the same time, but Apple does sell AirPods from both generations separately.
You can simply purchase another set should yours break or become lost, and then use it with your existing AirPods 1 or 2 case.
There is, however, a significant cost saving when purchasing both AirPods and the case together.
What is the best way to connect my new charging case to my AirPods?
I would like to clarify (before I conclude this article) how to connect your AirPods to your new (or used, as the case may be) charging case.
It does not matter whether you purchased a new charging case or have reverted to your old one, you need to pair the two devices before they can be used.
The following simple steps should be followed to make them work properly:
- The left and right AirPod earbuds should be placed in a charging case.
- Check to see if the status light is on and flashing amber when the top lid is opened.
- You must hold down the setup button on the charging case for a few seconds to complete the setup. The status light should start flashing white when you press this switch on the back of the case.
- Make sure your iPhone or Android device is unlocked and on the Home screen.
- The AirPods are still encased in their charging case, but when you open the lid you’ll see a set-up screen pop up on your iPhone if you haven’t unlocked it yet.
- The on-screen prompts should be followed as they appear. Once you are prompted to click “connect,” you should do so. Now you can charge your AirPods using your charging case.
Please note that the AirPods Pro series cannot be mixed and matched with the standard AirPods as they are not wired to work together.
If your phone cannot detect and connect, your AirPods will not be able to charge.
Closing Thoughts
You can’t go wrong with Apple’s AirPods.
For people like me who live on the go, they’re a real lifesaver.
It’s amazing how long their batteries last.
While you’re there, you’ll get entertainment.
Because those tiny charging cases get lost or damaged all the time, having interchangeable charging cases is great.
You just gotta accept that you’re going to have to charge using the standard Qi method instead of wirelessly.
But the AirPods earphones and charging cases are easy to swap in if a little pricey.
You can find compatible devices online from third-party vendors for a cheaper price, and Apple seems to always have them in stock.
Don’t forget that AirPods Pro is wired differently and doesn’t have the same case.
Just don’t try stuffing those AirPods into a small case.
Your earbuds and charging case could be damaged if they don’t pair.
