How to authenticate genuine AirPods

Since you are looking to authenticate BEFORE your purchase, then the only correct answer is to purchase from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller if you want genuine AirPods. Attempting to verify after purchase is usually too late. There are no pictures or serial numbers you can use from a posting that will prove that they are genuine. If you are just looking for something to use and don't care about the quality or features, then purchasing from a third party site may work, but if you are looking for genuine AirPods, those sites would not be the place to go.

You will only know if they are real by purchasing them from the Apple Store or Authorized Apple Seller. Not only are they able to manufacture fake devices, but will also spoof the serial number. Any check that you could do would only verify the serial number is valid, not that the device that it is attached to is genuine. When fake AirPods are purchased, you may exhibit these problems:

• Poor Audio Quality
• Noise Cancellation does not work
• No AppleCare coverage
• Find My does not work
• Problems pairing

AlexAr42 wrote:

What amazes me is that a lot of people on second hand markets here in Spain are getting scammed.

I was searching for second hand airpods pro and realised how strong is the fake-airpods market. I asked if we can report it to the authorities but people tell me that its useless. So after this i just decided to get them from official Apple Store.

Yep. You did the right thing. Apple doesn't sell wholesale to third party sellers, so there would be no profit margin for a third party seller to purchase from Apple, then turn around and sell it to anyone else at a discount. If you see any for sale on a third party site, they are most likely fake or used. When purchasing used, you never know if they are going to be locked to the original owner. In that case you won't be able to use them at all.

If “genuine” is truly important to you, purchase from Apple or an Apple-authorized reseller.

If you decide to purchase elsewhere … then “genuine” clearly does NOT matter to you.

The online marketplace is FLOODED w/ counterfeits.

Caveat Emptor.

Hi najee147, welcome to the Apple community

I hope you are doing well 🤗

If you want to verify whether your AirPods are genuine/fake, I invite you to read this article:

How to Recognize Counterfeit AirPods

See you soon👋

Julio

What amazes me is that a lot of people on second hand markets here in Spain are getting scammed.

I was searching for second hand airpods pro and realised how strong is the fake-airpods market. I asked if we can report it to the authorities but people tell me that its useless. So after this i just decided to get them from official Apple Store.

Indeed.

The initial cost of tooling-up counterfeit production is significant; but once established, the marginal (additional per-unit) cost is trivial.

Hence they are pressed-out en-mass and willingly scooped-up by those who believe they can get “something for nothing.”