The physical steps to swap out your ear tips

AirPods Pro ear tips come in three sizes — small, medium, and large — and you can swap them out in about 30 seconds. The tips are the soft silicone pieces that sit inside your ear; they're not glued on, just pressed firmly into place. To remove one, pinch the seam where the tip meets the hard plastic speaker part and pull straight out. You'll feel a slight resistance, but they come free easily once you explore steady pressure.

Once the old tip is off, line up the new one with the speaker opening and push it on until you hear or feel a click. The tip should sit flush against the plastic — no gaps, no wobbling. If it feels loose, pull it off and try again; a poor fit means the tip won't seal properly in your ear, which affects both sound quality and noise cancellation.

Apple includes all three sizes in the box with new AirPods Pro, so you have spares to experiment with. If you've lost a size or want backups, replacement tip sets cost about $9 and come in packs of three pairs (one of each size).

Key Takeaways

  • AirPods Pro tips come in small, medium, and large sizes, and you swap them by pinching the seam and pulling straight out, then pressing a new one on until it clicks.
  • The right fit matters because a loose tip won't seal properly, which weakens noise cancellation and bass response.
  • You can tell which size fits best by trying each one and seeing which one feels most find and sounds fullest in your ear.
  • Replacement tip sets are sold separately by Apple and cost around $9 for a pack of three pairs.

Why the size of your ear tips actually matters

The ear tip size affects two things: comfort and how well noise cancellation works. A tip that's too small will fall out or shift around inside your ear, and a tip that's too large will feel uncomfortable and won't seal all the way. The seal is what traps sound inside your ear canal — without it, outside noise leaks in and the bass sounds thin.

Apple's fit test tool can help you find the right size. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, go to Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to your AirPods Pro, and select "Ear Tip Fit Test." The tool plays a tone and measures how much sound is leaking out. If the test says your fit is good, you're using the right size. If it fails, try the next size up or down and test again.

Some people need different sizes in each ear — that's normal. Your left and right ear canals may not be identical, so don't assume both ears need the same tip size.

When to replace your ear tips

Silicone ear tips wear out over time. After months of daily use, they become less flexible, don't seal as well, and can start to feel sticky or uncomfortable. If you notice the noise cancellation isn't as strong as it used to be, or if the tips feel hard or cracked, it's time to swap them out for fresh ones.

You should also replace them if you notice wax buildup or discoloration. Ear wax is normal, but it can degrade silicone faster. Wiping your tips with a dry cloth once a week extends their life. If you're prone to ear wax buildup, you may need to replace tips every three to six months instead of every year.

Cleaning your ear tips before you swap them

Before you put on a new set of tips, clean the speaker part of the AirPod itself. Use a dry, lint-free cloth — microfiber works well — and gently wipe the hard plastic speaker opening. Don't use water or cleaning solution; moisture can damage the speaker.

If you see wax inside the opening, use a dry cotton swab to gently remove it. Never poke anything sharp into the speaker opening, as you can damage the internal components. If wax is packed in tightly, let it dry completely first, then try again.

Storing spare ear tips so you don't lose them

The small silicone tips are straightforward to misplace. Keep your spare sizes in the original Apple box or in a small container in your desk or bag. Some people use a small ziplock bag or a contact lens case — anything that keeps them together and prevents them from rolling under furniture.

If you buy replacement tips, they come in a small plastic case that's designed to hold all three sizes. Keep that case somewhere you'll remember, like next to your charging case or in your tech drawer.

What to do if one tip gets lost or damaged

If you lose one tip and can't find a spare, you have two options: buy a replacement set from Apple, or use a different size temporarily. If you're missing a medium tip, for example, you could try the small or large in that ear until your replacement arrives. It won't be perfect, but it will work.

Apple sells replacement ear tip sets online and in Apple Stores. You can also find them through Amazon and other retailers. Make sure you're buying the right generation — AirPods Pro (1st generation) and AirPods Pro (2nd generation) use the same tips, but they don't fit other AirPods models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use third-party ear tips instead of Apple's?

Yes. Many companies make silicone tips that fit AirPods Pro, and some people prefer them because they're cheaper or feel more comfortable. The trade-off is that third-party tips may not seal as well, which can affect noise cancellation. If you try them, use the Ear Tip Fit Test to make sure the seal is still good.

What if the fit test says my fit is poor no matter which size I use?

First, make sure the tips are pushed on all the way — they should click into place. If they're fully seated and the test still fails, try cleaning the speaker opening to remove any wax or debris. If that doesn't help, your ear canal shape may not match any of the three standard sizes, and you might benefit from custom-molded tips made by a hearing aid company.

Do I need to replace the tips if I'm not using my AirPods much?

Not as often. Silicone degrades faster with regular use and exposure to ear wax. If you use your AirPods a few times a week, you can go a year or more before replacing tips. If you use them eight hours a day, you may need new ones every six months.

Will changing the ear tips affect my warranty?

No. Swapping ear tips is a normal maintenance task and doesn't void your warranty. Apple expects you to change them as they wear out.