Headphone · Apple · AirPods Max 1st Gen
Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen Battery Replacement
Battery Replacement guide for the Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen
Before you begin
Tools
- Precision screwdriver set (Torx T3, T5, T6)
- Plastic prying tools
- Spudger tool
- Tweezers
- Heat gun or hair dryer
- SIM eject tool
Parts / materials
- Replacement AirPods Max battery pack
- Battery adhesive removal strips
- Isopropyl alcohol (91%+ recommended)
- Lint-free cotton swabs
Safety
- Wear safety glasses to protect against small loose screws and metallic fragments.
- Do not puncture or bend the lithium-ion battery pack during removal.
- Ensure all heat applied to the outer aluminum shell does not exceed mild touch temperatures.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Remove Ear Cushions
1 minPull both magnetic ear cushions straight away from the ear cups to detach them.
- 2
Detach Right Headband Stem
2 minInsert a SIM eject tool or paperclip into the small release pinhole inside the top of the right ear cup. Pull the right headband stem straight out from the cup socket.
- 3
Detach Left Headband Stem
2 minInsert the SIM tool into the pinhole in the left ear cup. Slide the left headband stem out to separate the headband entirely.
- 4
Unscrew Driver Frame Screws
3 minLocate and remove the four Torx T6 screws securing the speaker driver assembly inside the right ear cup cavity.
- 5
Pry Up Speaker Driver
2 minInsert a flat plastic spudger into the seam around the speaker driver assembly. Carefully pry the driver upward to release it from the ear cup housing.
- 6
Disconnect Driver Ribbon Cable
2 minUse tweezers or a spudger to gently pop the driver ribbon cable off its logic board socket.
- 7
Remove Board Shield Screws
3 minUnscrew the three Torx T3 screws holding the small metal shield over the battery connector.
- 8
Remove Metal Board Shield
1 minUse precision tweezers to lift the metal shield out of the ear cup and place it aside.
- 9
Disconnect Battery Flex Cable
2 minPry the battery connector flex cable straight up from the socket on the logic board.
- 10
Unscrew Battery Retaining Bracket
3 minRemove the four Torx T5 screws securing the metal battery bracket inside the right ear cup.
- 11
Remove Battery Bracket
1 minLift the metal retaining bracket away from the battery pack using tweezers.
- 12
Warm Outer Ear Cup Shell
2 minApply gentle heat with a heat gun set to low to the exterior back of the right ear cup for 45 to 60 seconds to soften the adhesive.
- 13
Pry Out Damaged Battery
3 minSlide a thin plastic prying card beneath the battery assembly to slice through the adhesive, then lift the battery out.
- 14
Clean Internal Housing Cavity
2 minApply isopropyl alcohol to a lint-free swab and wipe away any leftover adhesive residue from the aluminum shell.
- 15
Apply New Adhesive Strips
2 minPeel the protective backing off new battery adhesive strips and press them onto the underside of the replacement battery pack.
- 16
Seat New Battery Pack
2 minAlign the replacement battery into the right ear cup cavity and press down firmly for 10 seconds to secure the adhesive bond.
- 17
Reinstall Battery Retaining Bracket
3 minPlace the metal battery bracket over the battery and tighten the four Torx T5 screws.
- 18
Plug In Battery Cable
2 minAlign the battery flex cable connector precisely over its socket and press straight down until it clicks.
- 19
Secure Metal Shield
3 minPosition the small metal shield cover over the battery connector and fasten it with the three Torx T3 screws.
- 20
Reconnect Driver Flex Cable
2 minPress the speaker driver flex cable back into its connector on the mainboard.
- 21
Secure Speaker Driver Assembly
3 minSet the driver assembly back into the right ear cup and secure it with the four Torx T6 screws.
- 22
Reattach Headband Assembly
2 minPush each metal headband stem into its respective ear cup hinge until you hear an audible click.
- 23
Attach Ear Cushions
1 minAlign the magnetic ear cushions with the ear cups and let them snap into place.
After your Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen battery replacement
Power the AirPods Max 1st Gen back on and test the battery replacement function before you put every screw away. Check touch/display response, charging, cameras, buttons, and wireless as relevant to this repair. If something fails after closing the device, reopen carefully and reseat the connectors for this Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.

