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Headphone · Apple · AirPods Max 1st Gen

Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen Battery Replacement

Battery Replacement guide for the Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen

Moderate
~49 min
23 steps

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

# Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen Battery Replacement Repair Guide Action-specific battery replacement walkthrough for the Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen. About 49 minutes across 23 steps. This DIY guide walks through battery replacement on the Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen (AirPods series headphone). Before you open the device, confirm the exact model number on the Apple settings screen or rear housing so your replacement part matches the AirPods Max 1st Gen specifically—not a similar AirPods sibling. Most DIY techs finish this Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen battery replacement in about 49 minutes when parts and tools are ready. Difficulty is rated intermediate for this model. Recommended tools for this Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen job: Precision screwdriver set (Torx T3, T5, T6), Plastic prying tools, Spudger tool, Tweezers, Heat gun or hair dryer, SIM eject tool. Parts and supplies: Replacement AirPods Max battery pack, Battery adhesive removal strips, Isopropyl alcohol (91%+ recommended), Lint-free cotton swabs. Power the AirPods Max 1st Gen off completely, remove SIMs/SD cards if present, and work on a clean, well-lit surface with a magnetic mat for screws. If a step feels wrong for your Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen, stop and compare the connector layout to the photos in this guide. When you prefer a same-day pro repair in Seattle instead, LML Repair can handle battery replacement for this model with tested parts and a workmanship warranty.

Step-by-step

  1. 1

    Remove Ear Cushions

    1 min

    Pull both magnetic ear cushions straight away from the ear cups to detach them.

  2. 2

    Detach Right Headband Stem

    2 min

    Insert 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. 3

    Detach Left Headband Stem

    2 min

    Insert the SIM tool into the pinhole in the left ear cup. Slide the left headband stem out to separate the headband entirely.

  4. 4

    Unscrew Driver Frame Screws

    3 min

    Locate and remove the four Torx T6 screws securing the speaker driver assembly inside the right ear cup cavity.

  5. 5

    Pry Up Speaker Driver

    2 min

    Insert 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. 6

    Disconnect Driver Ribbon Cable

    2 min

    Use tweezers or a spudger to gently pop the driver ribbon cable off its logic board socket.

  7. 7

    Remove Board Shield Screws

    3 min

    Unscrew the three Torx T3 screws holding the small metal shield over the battery connector.

  8. 8

    Remove Metal Board Shield

    1 min

    Use precision tweezers to lift the metal shield out of the ear cup and place it aside.

  9. 9

    Disconnect Battery Flex Cable

    2 min

    Pry the battery connector flex cable straight up from the socket on the logic board.

  10. 10

    Unscrew Battery Retaining Bracket

    3 min

    Remove the four Torx T5 screws securing the metal battery bracket inside the right ear cup.

  11. 11

    Remove Battery Bracket

    1 min

    Lift the metal retaining bracket away from the battery pack using tweezers.

  12. 12

    Warm Outer Ear Cup Shell

    2 min

    Apply 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. 13

    Pry Out Damaged Battery

    3 min

    Slide a thin plastic prying card beneath the battery assembly to slice through the adhesive, then lift the battery out.

  14. 14

    Clean Internal Housing Cavity

    2 min

    Apply isopropyl alcohol to a lint-free swab and wipe away any leftover adhesive residue from the aluminum shell.

  15. 15

    Apply New Adhesive Strips

    2 min

    Peel the protective backing off new battery adhesive strips and press them onto the underside of the replacement battery pack.

  16. 16

    Seat New Battery Pack

    2 min

    Align the replacement battery into the right ear cup cavity and press down firmly for 10 seconds to secure the adhesive bond.

  17. 17

    Reinstall Battery Retaining Bracket

    3 min

    Place the metal battery bracket over the battery and tighten the four Torx T5 screws.

  18. 18

    Plug In Battery Cable

    2 min

    Align the battery flex cable connector precisely over its socket and press straight down until it clicks.

  19. 19

    Secure Metal Shield

    3 min

    Position the small metal shield cover over the battery connector and fasten it with the three Torx T3 screws.

  20. 20

    Reconnect Driver Flex Cable

    2 min

    Press the speaker driver flex cable back into its connector on the mainboard.

  21. 21

    Secure Speaker Driver Assembly

    3 min

    Set the driver assembly back into the right ear cup and secure it with the four Torx T6 screws.

  22. 22

    Reattach Headband Assembly

    2 min

    Push each metal headband stem into its respective ear cup hinge until you hear an audible click.

  23. 23

    Attach Ear Cushions

    1 min

    Align 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.

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