Metal shavings stuck to Airpods case

Chris.K121 wrote:

A bag would work however would become cumbersome as I am taking the AirPods out of my ears & sticking them back in the case or just taking the AirPods out so I can talk to others several times a day.

It might well be cumbersome. But, consider if you're willing to pay to replace them if the metal shavings cause them to fail. At the very least, before putting on your pants, turn the pockets inside out, give them a good shake and then run one of those sticky lint rollers over the fabric.

If I didn't have as much experience with Cintas as I do, I'd suggest you complain. Metal shavings probably aren't great for your skin, either.

Best of luck.

This has been a constant problem for me. Im an engineering student at penn state and have to work with metal recently. I thought it was just me but my roommate got a pair and is having the same issue. Mine is definitely way worse than his. I would bet that apple will include some type of sealing device on the second gen AirPods, maybe similar to the o-ring around the MacBook screens. Its very annoying and I have to clean the case regularly with a q tip

Acid Skies wrote:

The metal shavings are coming from the hinge. It's a design flaw and their pretty much impossible to remove completely. Hopefully they fix this for the next version.

If you believe you have a defective case, return it to Apple. Given how very few people have reported this as an issue, is less likely to be a design flaw and more likely just to be a defect in the one you have.

I had the same problem and I used the magic eraser sponge, alcohol & a toothpick. I removed at least 90 percent of the dirt. Also I did it with the case upside down to reduce the possibility of alcohol and dust going inside the case.

I'm having the same issue that is mentioned here, however, mine isn't as bad as the pictures, and I do not work around metal at all. I'm a Supervisor at my local Sheriff's Office. I rarely bring my AirPods to work anyway, but I digress. I believe it's a case flaw. I would go to my local Genius Bar, but the closest Apple Store to me is approximately 5 hours away.

TheHumanEvent wrote:

I would go to my local Genius Bar, but the closest Apple Store to me is approximately 5 hours away.

You also have the option of sending the headphones to Apple for warranty service. Use the Contact Support link at the top right of every page.

I am a welder and locksmith / Safe and vault technician, I will tell you first hand that until you work with metal to the point that someone in my field does you never start to notice how much loose metal is around the world and nearby. Everything that has ever been produced from metal will have minuscule remnants that most of the time we dismiss and ignore. Another thing to point out is this is the first time for most users of these devices to be carrying around a neodymium magnet in there pocket, anyone who believes these shavings are from the air pods themselves I highly recommend just carry a small magnet in your pocket for a day and you will see these minuscule iron shavings collecting on its edges. That will be true whether you work in a high rise office building, a hospital, or a school.

I have also had this issue 2x now. I took in my first pair to the APPLE store the clerk ***** and told me it was me. I told him I work in an office there is NO metal. I got him to replace them and now the new ones are doing the same thing. When I see this I am just blown away at the HUGE mess APPLE has. This is not only a serious concern but a DANGER to people using these.

Apple how do you plan to fix this issue? We should not have to worry about metal going in our ears when using your products?
<Edited by Host>

Everyone seems to be having this problem. My assumption was that it was from the hinge. The hinge was the only moving metal parts in my pocket where I keep my Airpod case.

As for cleaning the crap out of there, try post-its. Those seem to work better than anything else I've found, as long as you do it regularly and don't let it build up to outrageous levels of metal, dust, and grime.

Dabbaranks wrote:

Everyone seems to be having this problem.

No, everyone is not. I'm not. And, this is the only thread I've seen on the matter. So, my guess is that it's happening to a very small number of people.

I work no where around metal filings. I think it too the filings are coming from the hinge. In fact I can tell that the hinge is looser (more play) since when I first received my airpods. I cannot believe no one else has figured out the hinge is creating the filings. It is quite obvious. Thank you, alan

briandallas wrote:

Add me to the list. Mine looks just like that too. I always just thought, "Dang, my pockets are dirty!"... but now realizing it is metal... it's gotta be the hinge.

Apple isn't reading here. If you think there is a problem with your hinge, make an appointment at the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store for evaluation.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

Apple isn't reading here.

Yes, I'm aware of that.

I don't think there is a problem with the hinge either. It's just metal on metal friction (presumably) grinding away at it, causing the metal dust to collect where the magnets are. That doesn't mean the issue can't be improved upon with a design change in future generation.

But to me... I don't really care. Airpods are awesome. I'd buy another pair today if I lost them.

Case looks dirty... so what!?

My 2 cents.

briandallas wrote:

I don't think there is a problem with the hinge either. It's just metal on metal friction (presumably) grinding away at it, causing the metal dust to collect where the magnets are. That doesn't mean the issue can't be improved upon with a design change in future generation.

But to me... I don't really care. Airpods are awesome. I'd buy another pair today if I lost them.

Case looks dirty... so what!?

My 2 cents.

I misunderstood you're statement, " but now realizing it is metal... it's gotta be the hinge". My apologies.

I'll agree with that... 100%

I've given some thought to this and paid attention to my daily habits with the Airpod case.

I realized that the pocket I keep it in also is the pocket that I keep my cash, or any change I might have, along with a pocket knife. The magnets are collecting the dust from those items.