How To Replace Airpods Pro Ear Tips Correctly

Replacing your AirPods Pro ear tips takes less than a minute, but doing it the wrong way can tear the delicate silicone mesh or leave the plastic clips stuck inside the housing. Whether your original tips are worn out, missing, or just don't seal properly anymore, swapping them out requires a specific technique to avoid damaging your earbuds.

We'll walk through how to remove old tips safely, snap on new ones securely, verify your model compatibility, and test your acoustic seal.

When and Why You Need New Ear Tips

Silicone ear tips degrade over time due to ear oils, sweat, cleaning alcohol, and daily friction in your pocket or bag. When the material loses its elasticity, it can't form an airtight seal in your ear canal.

You'll know it's time for a change if you notice several common issues:

• Active noise cancellation feels weak or lets in sudden background noise.
• Bass response sounds hollow or thin during music playback.
• The earbuds feel loose and slowly slip out while you move or talk.
• The silicone shows physical cracks, yellowing, or permanent distortion.

Apple includes multiple sizes in the box when you buy a pair, but if you've lost yours, you can order official replacements directly from the Apple Support Store or pick up verified third-party options.

Step 1: Remove the Old Ear Tips Safely

The biggest mistake people make is pulling straight up on the floppy silicone flange. Because the silicone stretches, you end up tearing the material right off the hard plastic inner ring, leaving the stubborn base locked onto the AirPod.

Instead, use this technique:

1. Hold the stem of your AirPod firmly in one hand.
2. Use your other hand to grip the base of the ear tip right where it snaps onto the oval plastic connector.
3. If your fingers slip on the smooth silicone, wrap a clean, lint-free microfiber cloth around the base for extra traction. Alternatively, roll the soft outer edge of the silicone tip inside-out first to expose the rigid plastic interior.
4. Pull straight out with steady, firm pressure. Do not yank at an angle or twist violently, as this can stress the speaker mesh underneath.

Step 2: Inspect and Clean the Speaker Grille

With the tip removed, take a close look at the exposed oval metal mesh on the AirPod. Earwax and pocket lint love to collect in this recessed groove.

Grab a dry, soft-bristled cotton swab or a clean toothbrush and gently brush away any debris. Never insert sharp metal objects, pins, or liquid cleaners directly into the mesh, because puncturing the acoustic screen will permanently ruin the sound driver.

Step 3: Attach the New Ear Tips

AirPods Pro generations use slightly different internal attachment clips, so make sure your replacement tips match your exact model. AirPods Pro 1 feature smaller connectors, AirPods Pro 2 use a revised clip style, and AirPods Pro 3 introduce updated physical profiles.

1. Take your new ear tip and match its oval-shaped inner plastic ring to the oval metal connector on the AirPod. The orientation matters; look closely at the shape to align them properly.
2. Push the ear tip straight onto the connector until you hear and feel a distinct click.
3. Give the silicone edge a gentle tug to verify it's locked in place and won't detach inside your ear canal.

Step 4: Run the Fit Test

Physical attachment is only half the battle. You need to verify that your chosen size creates a proper vacuum seal for noise cancellation to function at its peak.

1. Put your AirPods Pro into your ears.
2. On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap your AirPods menu.
3. Scroll down and select Ear Tip Fit Test (or the acoustic seal test depending on your specific device version and firmware).
4. Tap Continue, then press the play button.
5. The software will play a short audio track to check how sound escapes. If it prompts you to adjust your fit or try a different size, swap in a larger or smaller pair and run the test again. You might even need different sizes for your left and right ears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wash and reuse old silicone ear tips?

Yes. Pop them off the AirPods, rinse them under warm water, and add a tiny drop of mild dish soap if they're oily. Pat them completely dry with a lint-free cloth before snapping them back onto the earbuds. Never use harsh chemical disinfectants or bleach.

Why do my ear tips keep falling off?

If a tip pops off inside your ear while you're removing the AirPod, it usually means the inner plastic retention clips are worn down or you bought cheap third-party replacements with poor manufacturing tolerances. Stick to official replacements if yours keep slipping loose.

Do memory foam tips work better than silicone?

Memory foam tips expand to fill the unique contours of your ear canal, which some users find more secure for running or working out. However, foam absorbs sweat and earwax, meaning it degrades much faster than silicone and typically needs replacement every few months.

How do I check what size ear tips I currently have?

Gently peel or roll back the outer edge of the silicone tip. Apple stamps a small letter indicator (such as S, M, or L) inside the rubber rim of the mounting base so you can identify your current size at a glance.