AirPods Max Battery Replacement

Unplug and remove all cables and accessories.

To help stabilize the ear cups and prevent scratching them, consider placing your AirPods Max on a soft, clean cloth.

Lift the right earpad (labeled R) straight up and remove it.

Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or a small, straightened paperclip into the hole on the top edge of the right ear cup (labeled R).

Push down with your tool and pull the headband connector straight out of its socket.

Set the right ear cup down on a soft, clean cloth to prevent scratches and help stabilize the cup during your repair.

Use a P5 pentalobe screwdriver to turn (not remove) the four speaker housing screws to the unlocked position:

Turn the top left and bottom right screws counterclockwise.

Turn the top right and bottom left screws clockwise.

Option 1: Apply a few drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (>90%) in the gap around the perimeter of the speaker housing. Wait one minute to allow the alcohol to soften the adhesive.

Option 2: Heat the speaker housing with an iOpener or hair dryer. Focus the heat around the perimeter, applying small amounts for short periods of time.

Insert the flat side of your opening tool into the gap between the left side of the speaker housing and the lip of the ear cup (opposite the R marking).

Pry up the speaker housing until you can grip it with your fingers, applying constant pressure to allow the adhesive to separate.

Lift the speaker housing out of the ear cup to fully separate the remaining adhesive.

Flip the housing over the side of the cup and prop it up so you can access the cable.

Use a Torx Plus 1IP screwdriver to remove the 1.7 mm‑long screw securing the speaker housing cable cover.

Use tweezers to remove the cover.

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the speaker housing press connector.

Remove the speaker housing.

Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove three speaker driver screws:

Two 6.0 mm‑long screws

One 6.0 mm‑long screw that's slightly thicker than the other two

Remove the 5.1 mm‑long standoff screw using one of the two methods below:

Option 1: Stick a small flathead screwdriver into one of the four notches on top of the screw and use it to slowly turn the screw.

Option 2: Use a Torq-Set 6 screwdriver to remove the screw, applying constant downward force to avoid damaging the screw.

Lift the top edge of the speaker and remove it, being careful not to touch the diaphragm.

Remove the two connector cover screws:

One 7.0 mm‑long Torx Plus 3IP screw

One 1.7 mm‑long Torx Plus 1IP screw

Slide the cover out of the slots and remove it.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector (the smaller one, not the one that folds under the board).

Use a Torx Plus 5IP screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the sides of the battery cells.

If the screw isn't coming out once fully loosened, use tweezers to pull it out.

Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the battery cells:

Two 4.0 mm‑long screws

One 7.0 mm‑long screw

Slide the battery cells out of their recesses one at a time and remove them.

With the exposed sides of the battery cells facing down, slide the battery cable under the lip of the ear cup so it sits on top of the charging port.

Place both battery cells into their recesses.

Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to install the three screws securing the battery cells:

Two 4.0 mm‑long screws

One 7.0 mm‑long screw

Use a Torx Plus 5IP screwdriver to install the two screws securing the sides of the battery cells.

Use a spudger or your fingers to press down and connect the battery press connector.

Slide the battery connector cover's two tabs into their slots and lay the cover in place.

Install the two connector cover screws:

One 7.0 mm‑long Torx Plus 3IP screw

One 1.7 mm‑long Torx Plus 1IP screw

Gently lay the speaker driver into place, making sure the side with gold connector pins lines up with their contacts in the shell.

Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to install three speaker driver screws:

One 6.0 mm‑long screw that's slightly thicker than the other two

Two 6.0 mm‑long screws

Install the 5.1 mm‑long standoff screw using a small flathead or Torq-Set 6 screwdriver.

Use tweezers and scissors to remove any sections of bunched-up or overlapping adhesive that would prevent the housing from sitting perfectly flat.

Apply thin, double-sided adhesive where you removed the original, using short sections to help match the curve of the lip.

Hold the speaker housing up and use your finger to press down and reconnect its press connector.

Slide the tab on the connector cover into its slot and lay the cover down.

Use a Torx Plus 1IP screwdriver to install the 1.7 mm‑long screw securing the speaker housing cable cover.

Flip the speaker housing into the cup and press it into place around the perimeter.

Use a P5 pentalobe screwdriver to turn the four speaker housing screws to the locked position:

Turn the top left and bottom right screws clockwise.

Turn the top right and bottom left screws counterclockwise.

Hold the ear cup steady with one hand, and use your free hand to firmly push the headband connector into its slot, twisting it slightly—it should click into place.

Place the earpad into its cup—it should "snap" into place.