How To Spot Fake AirPods Using Only Your IPhone Settings

Fake AirPods flood online marketplaces, often mimicking the sleek design of genuine Apple products so closely that even experienced buyers can be fooled. While counterfeit versions may claim full compatibility with iOS devices, they rarely replicate Apple’s ecosystem integration accurately. The good news? You don’t need specialized tools or third-party apps to verify authenticity. Your iPhone has everything you need built right into its settings. By leveraging native features—from Bluetooth details to firmware verification—you can confidently determine whether your AirPods are real or counterfeit.

Understanding the Risks of Counterfeit AirPods

Counterfeit electronics aren’t just about saving money—they pose real risks. Fake AirPods often use substandard materials, which can lead to poor sound quality, inconsistent battery life, and even overheating. More concerning is the potential for data security issues. Some knockoffs have been found to contain hidden microchips capable of logging device usage or transmitting unauthorized signals. Apple’s genuine accessories undergo strict privacy and safety testing; fakes do not.

In addition to health and security concerns, counterfeit AirPods lack software updates, meaning they won’t benefit from future improvements in noise cancellation, spatial audio, or connectivity. They also void any warranty claims and may cause compatibility problems over time as iOS evolves. Spotting a fake early protects both your investment and digital safety.

“Many users assume that if earbuds connect to their iPhone, they must be authentic. That’s dangerously misleading. Connection capability doesn’t equal legitimacy.” — David Lin, Senior Mobile Security Analyst at iDevice Trust Labs

Step-by-Step: Using iPhone Settings to Verify AirPods Authenticity

You don't need to open the charging case near an Apple Store or run diagnostic software. With just your iPhone and a few minutes, you can conduct a thorough authenticity check using only system-level features. Follow this sequence carefully:

1. Pair the AirPods: Open the case near your iPhone and wait for the pop-up window. Do not skip this step—even if the earbuds were previously paired.
2. Check the Connection Animation: Genuine AirPods trigger a unique animation showing battery levels for each earbud and the case. Fakes often display generic Bluetooth pairing screens without individual battery stats.
3. Go to Settings > Bluetooth: Tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods’ name in the list.
4. Inspect the Device Name: Real AirPods will show a model identifier such as “AirPods Pro,” “AirPods (3rd gen),” or similar. Generic names like “TWS Headset” or “Bluetooth Earpiece” indicate a fake.
5. Look for Firmware Version: Under the device info, genuine AirPods display a firmware version number (e.g., “6.8.8”). Counterfeits either omit this entirely or show placeholder text like “N/A” or random digits.
6. Verify Model Number Format: Tap the model number field repeatedly—it should reveal the actual model (like A2698). Compare it against Apple’s official list (see table below).

Tip: Always perform the initial pairing in front of you—never rely on pre-paired devices. Resetting fake AirPods often breaks pairing functionality, exposing inconsistencies.

What the Model Number Tells You

Apple assigns specific alphanumeric codes to each AirPods variant. These model numbers are embedded in the hardware and visible through iOS when accessed correctly. If the number doesn’t match known Apple formats, the product is almost certainly counterfeit.

AirPods Type	Model Number	Firmware Example
AirPods (1st generation)	A1722 / A1523	6.8.0
AirPods (2nd generation)	A2031 / A2032	6.8.5
AirPods (3rd generation)	A2698 / A2699	6.9.0
AirPods Pro (1st generation)	A2031 / A2698	6.8.8
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)	A2699 / A2700	7.0.2
AirPods Max	A2459 / A2460	6.9.1

If the model number displayed starts with anything other than “A” followed by four digits, treat it as suspicious. Many clones use fabricated identifiers such as “X7S” or “QCY-T3” internally, which appear under Bluetooth settings.

Key Signs of Fake AirPods in iOS

Even if some details seem correct, subtle discrepancies within iOS can expose a counterfeit. Here are critical red flags to watch for:

• No Spatial Audio or Personalized EQ options: Found under Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual, these features only appear with genuine AirPods that support them.
• Mono Audio toggle missing or grayed out: While minor, this inconsistency suggests incomplete driver integration.
• Inaccurate battery reporting: Fake AirPods often report static or implausible battery percentages (e.g., always 100% or dropping from 80% to 0% instantly).
• Lack of Find My integration: Genuine AirPods appear in the Find My app with precise location history. Counterfeits never show up here, even after pairing.
• No automatic switching between Apple devices: If your AirPods don’t seamlessly transfer from iPhone to iPad or Mac, it’s likely due to missing H1/W1 chip emulation.

“Fake AirPods might connect, but they can’t communicate properly with iCloud services. That’s why Find My fails—it requires end-to-end encryption tied to Apple’s server network.” — Lisa Tran, iOS Systems Engineer

Mini Case Study: How One User Avoided a $150 Scam

Mark, a college student in Austin, bought what appeared to be AirPods Pro on a popular auction site for $78—less than half retail. Excited about the deal, he paired them immediately. But something felt off: no spatial audio prompt, and the battery widget showed “Left: N/A.” Curious, he went to Settings > Bluetooth, tapped the “i” icon, and saw the model number listed as “X18.” A quick web search confirmed it wasn’t an Apple code. He contacted the seller, who refused a refund. Thanks to his iPhone check, Mark avoided further losses and reported the listing. His story highlights how fast and effective built-in verification can be.

Essential Checklist: Is Your AirPod Really Authentic?

Use this checklist every time you pair new or secondhand AirPods. All items should pass for a genuine unit:

1. ✅ Pop-up shows detailed battery levels for left earbud, right earbud, and case
2. ✅ Device name in Bluetooth settings matches official AirPods naming convention
3. ✅ Firmware version is present and numeric (not blank or symbolic)
4. ✅ Model number begins with “A” followed by four digits
5. ✅ Appears in Find My app with serial number and location tracking
6. ✅ Supports seamless device switching across Apple ecosystem
7. ✅ Offers access to advanced audio features (Spatial Audio, Head Tracking, etc.) where applicable

Tip: Reset AirPods before checking (press button on case for 15 seconds) to ensure clean pairing data. This prevents cached info from masking fake indicators.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can fake AirPods ever show a firmware version?

Sometimes. Advanced counterfeits may spoof firmware fields with dummy values like “5.0.0” or “9.9.9.” However, these don’t correspond to real Apple firmware builds. Cross-reference the version with Apple’s published release notes—if it doesn’t exist, it’s fake.

Do all genuine AirPods work with all iPhones?

Yes, all AirPods models are compatible with any iPhone running iOS 10 or later. However, newer features like Adaptive Audio or Conversation Awareness require iPhone 11 or later and iOS 17+. Lack of feature support isn’t proof of a fake—check fundamentals first.

I bought AirPods from a third-party seller, and they passed all tests. Are they safe?

If they pass all seven checklist items—including appearing in Find My with accurate serial and model numbers—they are very likely genuine. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, but remember: authorized resellers and refurbished units from reputable sources are legitimate.

Final Thoughts: Trust Your iPhone, Not Just the Packaging

The packaging of fake AirPods has become increasingly convincing—some even include holographic stickers and serial-numbered labels. But no counterfeit can fully replicate Apple’s deep software-hardware integration. Your iPhone knows what belongs in its ecosystem and what doesn’t. By paying attention to the small details in Settings, Bluetooth menus, and system responses, you gain a powerful tool against deception.

Authentication isn’t just about protecting your wallet. It’s about ensuring long-term performance, privacy, and safety. Every time you connect wireless earbuds to your phone, you’re granting them access to your calls, messages, and voice data. Only Apple-certified hardware guarantees secure handling of that trust.

💬 Have you uncovered fake AirPods using your iPhone? Share your experience in the comments—your insight could help others avoid costly mistakes.