Lost 1 AirPod — now what? All your options at a glance
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If you have lost one AirPod, you have three options: locate the earbud with the Find My app, order a single replacement from Apple, or buy a refurbished single earbud. A brand-new complete set is almost never necessary: your remaining earbud and charging case keep working with a single replacement of the same generation. Refurbished is the cheapest route (from €33.80), Apple the most expensive but completely new (indicatively €75-99 per earbud in the Netherlands).
Below, the three routes compared honestly, including cost and delivery time.
Comparison in one table
| Option | Cost | Speed | What to watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find it with Find My | Free | Instant | Only works with battery left and/or a known location |
| Single earbud via Apple | US: $69 (AirPods), $89 (Pro). NL indicatively €75-99 | A few days (service process) | New part, same generation |
| Buy a refurbished single | €33.80-113.95, depending on generation and condition | 1-2 business days | Tested, 6-12 month warranty, generation must match |
| Second-hand from a private seller | Varies | Varies | No testing, no warranty, risk of the wrong generation or counterfeits |
Option 1: try to find it first (free)
Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad and tap your AirPods. What to expect:
- Last known location — the map shows where your AirPods were last connected. Often enough to know whether the earbud is at home, at work or somewhere along the way.
- Play a sound — if the single earbud is outside the case, has battery left and you are within Bluetooth range, you can make it play a chirping sound. You can trigger the sound per earbud (left or right).
- Limitations — an earbud with a dead battery or inside the case stays silent and only shows its last known location. On newer Pro models (Pro 2 and Pro 3) the case itself can also play a sound, which makes searching easier.
Five minutes of searching costs nothing and, in the best case, saves you the entire replacement cost. No luck? Then on to the replacement routes.
Option 2: single replacement earbud via Apple
Apple sells single replacement earbuds and cases through its own service channel (apple.com/support, the Apple Store or an authorised service provider). Loss is not covered by the warranty or standard AppleCare+ coverage, so you pay the single-replacement fee.
The official US prices, confirmed by tech media: $69 per single earbud for regular AirPods (2nd through 4th generation) and $89 per single earbud for all AirPods Pro generations; cases cost the same as an earbud ($59 for the wired case). For the Netherlands, Apple publishes the amounts per model on its support page; Dutch tech media quote an indicative €75 to €99 per earbud or case, depending on the model.
The upsides: you get a brand-new part, guaranteed to be the right model. The downsides: it is the most expensive route, and it runs through a service request — count on a few days before you have music again.
Option 3: buy a refurbished single earbud
A refurbished single AirPod is an original, used earbud that has been tested and cleaned. At Earbuds Restore you pick a left or right earbud per generation (or a separate charging case) in five conditions — from Like New with a 12-month warranty to Limited, the most affordable, with a 6-month warranty. In concrete terms: a single earbud for AirPods 1 or 2 starts at €33.80, AirPods 3 at €38.80, AirPods 4 at €52.80, AirPods Pro 2 at €71.80 and AirPods Pro 3 at €92.80. Order on a business day before 4 PM and it usually ships the same day; delivery takes 1-2 business days.
What to watch out for — with us and with any other seller:
- The generation must match exactly. An AirPods 2 earbud will not work with an AirPods 3 set. Check the model number on your remaining earbud using the model number guide.
- For AirPods Pro 2: Lightning or USB-C. The two versions are not interchangeable; pick the version of your set.
- Buy tested, with warranty. Buying from a private seller on a marketplace can be cheaper, but comes without testing, warranty or the right to return — and with the risk of counterfeits or the wrong generation.
Pairing the new earbud takes a few minutes: both earbuds in your case, close the lid briefly, reconnect. Explained step by step in the pairing guide; a broader step-by-step plan for when you are missing a part is in Lost one earbud? Replace only what you are missing.
Which option suits you?
- Just lost it, possibly nearby → Find My first. Free and sometimes an instant win.
- Latest model, budget no issue → Apple replacement: new part, highest price.
- Complete again, fast and affordable → refurbished single earbud: from €33.80, tested, with warranty, delivered within 1-2 business days.
Whatever you choose: replace only what you have lost. Your remaining earbud and case are worth nothing to anyone else, but everything to you — which is exactly why the market for single parts exists.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy one single AirPod instead of a new set?
Yes, in two ways. Apple sells single replacement earbuds through its service programme (in the US $69 per earbud for regular AirPods and $89 for Pro models; Dutch tech media quote an indicative €75-99). Alternatively, you can buy a refurbished single earbud, for example at Earbuds Restore from €33.80, tested and with a 6 to 12-month warranty.
Can I find a lost AirPod with Find My?
Sometimes. The Find My app shows the last known location of your AirPods. If the single earbud is outside the case, still has battery left and you are within Bluetooth range, you can make it play a sound. If the battery is dead or the earbud is inside the case, you will only see the last known location. On newer Pro models the case itself can also play a sound.
Will a replacement AirPod work with my existing set?
Yes, as long as the replacement earbud is exactly the same generation as your remaining earbud — and for AirPods Pro 2 also the same connector (Lightning or USB-C). Place both earbuds in your charging case, close the lid briefly and re-pair the set via Bluetooth. After that they work as one pair again.
Is a lost AirPod covered by the warranty?
No. Warranty covers defects, not loss. Even at Apple you always pay the single-replacement fee for a lost earbud. So first check with Find My whether the earbud can be found; if not, compare the replacement routes on price and delivery time.
How do I know which AirPods generation I have?
Look at the model number printed in small letters on your remaining earbud, or on the inside of the lid of your charging case. That A-number differs per generation and per version. Our model number guide on the blog lets you look up which set you have in one minute, so you are guaranteed to order the right replacement earbud.
