Apple’s next-generation software update for iPhone, iOS 16, notifies you if you connect a part of counterfeit AirPods with your device. Apple uses this notification to inform you that they are not genuine, and will not perform as expected.
Counterfeit AirPods can still be connected to Apple devices, but you will be shown a warning
Your iPhone or iPad already notifies if a non-genuine part is detected inside the device and now the tech giant is expanding the same warning to deal with the steady rise of counterfeit AirPods.
iOS 16 can now detect counterfeit AirPods. It is a significant issue given that some models are exact replicas of Apple’s AirPods and can even offer features such as automatic pairing and the battery indicator. With iOS 16, if non-genuine AirPods are connected to your device, you will be shown a warning: “These headphones could not be verified as genuine AirPods and may not behave as expected.”
The notification also offers a “Learn More” link which takes you to a support article on Apple’s website that details how to identify genuine AirPods. In addition to this, the warning will only display a “Don’t Connect” option, but iOS 16 will not automatically disconnect the earbuds.
According to data revealed by the United States Customs and Border Protection on seizures in 2021, fake AirPods cost the Cupertino tech giant around $3.2 billion per annum. Around 360,000 counterfeit wireless headphones, including AirPods Pro, were seized by officials during a certain period of time – and this number does not reflect how many counterfeit products are available on the market.
In 2016, The United States Chamber of Commerce estimated that the total value of confiscated goods represented only 2.5% of the world’s physical counterfeiting.
Counterfeit AirPods can use genuine Apple serial numbers and usually look physically indistinguishable from legitimate AirPods Pro. Many will even have functional active noise cancellation and Transparency mode features.
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