AirPods are Apple’s most popular accessory because of their wireless connection. The lack of wires or cables means you can take out your AirPods from its case and use them without dealing with annoying wire tangles. When you purchase AirPods, the case usually contains two individual AirPods, and you might be wondering if the two can have the same serial number.
So, can AirPods have the same serial number? AirPods cannot have the same number because Apple categorizes each AirPod as a different product. Each AirPod has its serial number printed on it, which can be confusing for some users. The serial number is printed on the AirPods or charging case, or you can use your Apple device’s settings to check the serial number.
Serial numbers on electronics are very important, especially when seeking help from customer support regarding the device. For some AirPods users, the serial number is important for several reasons, but it can be confusing when checking them.
After buying any electronics, you find the serial number printed on the packaging or the device itself. Serial numbers are important in distinguishing original products from fake ones. If you have purchased AirPods and they have the same serial number, you might want to know if that is correct or not.
Two AirPods cannot have the same serial number because Apple categorizes each AirPod as a different unit. Apple began issuing each AirPod with a different serial number with the release of AirPods (2nd Generation) on March 20, 2019.
The 1st generation AirPods used to have the same serial number until Apple discontinued them on March 19, 2019. The AirPods (3rd generation), released on October 18, 2021, also have two different serial numbers on each AirPod. The serial numbers on the two AirPods are different from the serial number on the charging case.
One way of determining if your AirPods (2nd or 3rd generations) are genuine is the different serial numbers printed on each AirPod. If you buy used AirPods or from a third-party seller, and the two AirPods have the same serial number, they are probably fake unless they are 1st generation.
You can ask the seller to produce the original packaging or product invoice to check the serial number. If you want to buy the AirPods (3rd generation), detach the magnetic ear cushion to see the serial number.
You should note that even though with AirPods (2nd and 3rd generation), each AirPod has its serial number, you cannot use them when seeking services from Apple Support. If your AirPods are damaged or malfunctioning, you must provide the serial number printed on the charging case. The serial number on the charging case is the primary serial number that Apple uses to identify your AirPods. The primary serial number is usually printed on the charging case’s lid.
Do AirPods Share the Same Serial Number?
AirPods are amazing wireless earbuds that make listening to music and making phone calls seamless. AirPods gained notoriety quickly among Apple device users, and the company has now released three versions of the AirPods. As a common practice, the manufacturer tasked with producing the AirPods has to include serial numbers on the units, and you might be wondering if they share the same serial number.
AirPods, especially the 2nd and 3rd generation, do not share the same serial number because they are considered two separate but identical units. The serial numbers are unique, hence if the two AirPods share the same serial numbers, it would be difficult to distinguish between them.
If someone wants to sell you AirPods and they are sharing the same number, they are probably not genuine Apple products. In addition to deterring counterfeit AirPods, the serial numbers help deter theft, keep records and track irregular goods.
Since the AirPods are wireless, they are not physically connected, hence Apple considers them two separate units. Serial numbers are like identification card numbers, and there is no way two individuals can share the same identification card number.
Each serial number is used to identify the AirPod it is printed on. If the AirPods you have purchased have the same serial number printed on them, that is the first indication that the AirPods are not genuine Apple products.
The AirPods also have another serial number that is printed on the case. This serial number is also different from the ones printed on each AirPod. If you cannot find the AirPods case and you need to use that serial number, you can use your iPhone or iPad to find the serial number.
Connect the AirPods to your iOS or iPadOS device,
- Go to “Settings”
- Open “Bluetooth”
- Find your AirPods in the list using the name you assigned it to, for example, “Sam’s AirPods”
- Tap the “More Info” button, symbolized with a small letter “i,” and next to your AirPods, you will see the serial number.
Should AirPods Have the Same Serial Number?
A serial number is usually a series of numbers used to identify a specific product. Apple uses serial numbers to identify their products, and they usually print the number on the product itself or the packaging. Apple usually included two AirPods in the charging case, and most users would like to know if the AirPods should have the same number.
AirPods should not have the same serial number because it will be somehow difficult for some users to know if they are purchasing a fake or genuine Apple product. After the AirPods (2nd generation) release, Apple decided to use different serial numbers on each AirPod and the charging case.
Apple also uses the different serial numbers to differentiate which product needs to be replaced or repaired if you send your faulty AirPods back. For some users, finding three different serial numbers might cause further confusion on whether their AirPods are real or fake, hence the call for Apple to use only one serial number.
AirPods are very popular, leading to many unscrupulous manufacturers releasing counterfeit AirPods into the market. For users aware of Apple’s three serial number practices, seeing AirPods with the same serial number is the easiest way to tell they are fake.
Original AirPods have three serial numbers, two printed on the AirPods and the primary serial number printed on the lid. If Apple decides to make AirPods with the same serial number, it would be very easy for shady manufacturers to make and release counterfeit AirPods into the market.
Suppose you notice your AirPods have three different serial numbers. In that case, there is no need to be concerned because this is a way of protecting you from fake AirPods and also an easy way for Apple to know which component needs repairs or replacement.
When you send your AirPods to Apple for repairs or replacement, you are required to use the serial number printed on the charging case’s lid. Once Apple receives your AirPods, the individual serial numbers on the two AirPods will be used to show which AirPod is damaged and needs repairs or has to be replaced.
Can Apple Products Have the Same Serial Number?
Apple Inc is one of the most valuable companies in the world due to the success of its products such as AirPods, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and more. These products usually have a serial number included in the receipt, invoice, packing, or printed on the device. You might think coming up with different serial numbers is tedious and wonder if Apple could use the same serial number for its products.
Apple products cannot have the same serial number because that would make it difficult to identify a specific product. If each product from Apple had the same serial number, it would be difficult to know which products are genuine, and Apple will also have a hard time tracking down their products.
Serial numbers are different from lot numbers or batch numbers, which can be the same for certain products. Batch or lot numbers are used to identify a certain group of products; hence you can find certain products with the same batch or lot numbers, but serial numbers remain different.
Many companies, including Apple, use serial numbers for many reasons. A serial number helps in preventing theft and counterfeiting Apple products. Suppose two products have the same serial number; one must be fake.
Serial numbers also help track a product if there is a recall, and Apple would use the serial numbers to know which products require a recall. If all Apple products were using the same serial number, Apple would have to recall all the products with that particular serial number, which is costly.
Serial numbers are very important in offering after-sale service. All Apple products have warranties, which are crucial in offering repair and replacement services. When you send your device to Apple Support for repair or replacement, you have to indicate the serial number. Apple Support will use the serial number to determine if it is still under warranty. This activity would be difficult and nearly impossible when many Apple products have the same serial number.
Since people buy Apple devices at different times, the warranties also expire at different times. If the warranty of one device has expired, the system will show that all devices using the same serial number had expired too, regardless of when they were sold to the customer.
Can 2 Products Have the Same Serial Number?
Many products usually have a serial number that the manufacturer uses to identify them. The manufacturer assigns the serial numbers to each product in a sequence, starting from the first product to the last. Since there are so many products globally, you might wonder if there are two products with the same serial number.
Two products can have the same serial number, which indicates one of the products is fake. After the manufacturer has finished manufacturing a product, they will print a serial number and attach it. This serial number is a unique number assigned to that product, and the manufacturer will enter the number on its records.
Before releasing the products to the market, if two products have the same serial number, it could be a mistake, and it will be rectified by assigning a new serial number to the second product. However, if two products have the same serial number when in the market, it could indicate that either is a counterfeit.
The idea behind serial numbers is to ensure people or companies can identify certain products. Many companies and even governments use serial numbers to identify certain products like electronics, banknotes, cars, and many more.
Before a product leaves the factory or is made available to the public, it will be assigned a unique number. This number will be like a fingerprint or ID card, and it cannot be the same for any other product. If you are buying a keyboard from Apple, and on the shelf, you see two of them with the same serial number, one of them or both could be fake.
If you want to check if a product is fake or real, it is important not to rely on the serial number. Sometimes dishonest manufacturers would find ways of producing fake serial numbers that appear real.
Use other methods other users or the real manufacturers recommend when checking if a certain product is real or fake. For example, if you bought AirPods and you think they are fake, but you can see three different serial numbers, there are other ways you can confirm their authenticity.
First, check the packaging for any spelling or grammar errors, check the logo, and check the charging port on the charging case. If you see any spelling errors, the Apple logo is not well aligned, or the charging port is heavily lined, you may have purchased fake AirPods.
Finally
AirPods are useful Apple accessories that you can use to listen to music and make phone calls, but they do not come cheap. The third gen AirPods cost 179 USD. Sadly, shady manufacturers are making fake AirPods, which many users buy only to realize later they are fake.
Apple uses three different serial numbers to differentiate their original AirPods from fakes ones. This practice makes it easy for people to identify real AirPods, hence it is unlikely if Apple would start using one serial number for their AirPods or any of their products.
