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User Guide - Airpod Diagnostics

Comprehensive user guide on how to perform diagnostics for Airpods using Phonecheck

Updated this week

AirPod testing requires a Mac station with Phonecheck3 installed


System Specs

Hardware Equipment

  • A Mac that supports

    • Sonoma or higher macOS versions

    • Latest Phonecheck Desktop 3.0 Application (3.11.0 and above)

Supported Devices

Phonecheck Desktop:

  • MacBooks

  • iMacs

  • Mac mini

  • Mac Studio

  • Mac Pro

Airpods:

  • All Generation AirPods

Supported macOS

  • macOS Sonoma or the latest

Device Information DB

https://dash.phonecheck.com/login

Not Supported Devices

  • Mac, which doesn’t support minimum macOS Sonoma

  • Non-Genuine AirPods (The App will only detect and tell it is fake, but it will not perform diagnostics).

  • AirPod/EarBud, whose parent company other than Apple

Getting Started

1

Peripherals and Hardware needed to get started with AirPod Diagnostics

To begin diagnosing or testing AirPods, you will need the following items:

  • AirPods, including Earbuds, for testing.

  • Sonoma or higher macOS versions supported Macs: With Phonecheck 3.0 Applications running.

  • Lightning & C-Type Cable: for charging AirPod Case.

  • Stable Internet Connection: For syncing AirPod info and test results to cloud

2

Initiate AirPod Diagnostics App

  • Installing the app separately is unnecessary; it will work only with the Phonecheck 3.0 Desktop Application.

  • Added mode for AirPods Diagnostics in Desktop 3.0 build

3

Perform Testing with the AirPod Diagnostics App

  • After opening the Phonecheck 3.0 Desktop App, you can start testing your AirPods by changing the AirPod Diagnostics Mode on the Desktop.

  • To begin, connect one AirPod at a time to your Mac. Once connected, the app will show important details about your AirPods, including:

    • AirPod Details

    • OEM Check

    • iCloud Connection Check:

The AirPod Diagnostics app also allows testing of these features:

  • Microphone and speaker Testing

  • Spatial Audio

  • Ear Sensor Testing

  • ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) Testing

  • Touch/Tap Sensor Testing

  • Lift Earbud Detection Testing

  • Insert Earbud Detection Testing

  • Earbuds Charging Testing

  • AirPods Case Charging Testing

4

View Connected AirPod on the App

When the AirPod connects to the MacBook, it will automatically appear in the PhoneCheck 3.0 Desktop App, displaying all the AirPod information in the device box.

5

Sync Data to the Cloud

Data collected during testing will be synced in the view transaction and the PhoneCheck Cloud DB as well. This online Cloud DB gives a complete view of all AirPod Diagnostic results and statuses in one place.

Features & Tests

Pairing Airpod

When you open the AirPod Diagnostics App, the Pairing Screen will appear with simple instructions.

Recommended: Connect the charging cable with the AirPods case and then pair.

To pair your Airpods:

  • Airpods with a button:

    • Press and hold the button on the back of your AirPods for 3-4 seconds until the light flashes.

  • AirPods with a Touch Sensor:

    • Tap the touch sensor twice quickly to start pairing.

The app will automatically connect the AirPods to your MacBook. Once connected, the Pairing Screen will disappear, and the app will move to the following Case Charging Test Screen, which is ready for testing.

Information Collection

When the AirPods connect to your Mac, the app will confirm the connection. At this point, the app collects essential information in the background, including:

  • AirPod Model Name

  • Generation

  • Serial Number

  • Battery levels for the

    • Case

    • Left AirPod

    • Right AirPod

  • iCloud

  • Release Year

  • OEM

Once this information is gathered, the Case Charging Test screen will appear. You’ll see the AirPod Model Name and Serial Number displayed at the top, and if you hover over the Model Name, the full name of AirPod will be displayed in the tooltip.
​

If you want to view all the collected AirPod information, click the Info button at the top left corner of the app’s display device box/tile. This will show the full details, including charging levels and other specifications, under the Device Details section.

Charging Test

The Charging Test is a semi-automated test that checks if your AirPods are charging properly.

  • Connect the Charging Cable: Plug the lightning/power cable into the charging port on the AirPod case.

  • Place AirPods in the Case: Make sure both AirPods are correctly placed inside the charging case. This is necessary for the test to work.

  • Automatic Test: Once the cable is connected and both AirPods are in place, the app will automatically check if the charging is working.

    • The Charging Test checks if the AirPod case, Left AirPod, and Right AirPod are all charging properly.

      • If everything is charging correctly, the app will automatically pass the test within 2 seconds after the cable is connected.

      • If any part is not charging, the app will Stop on the Charging Test UI and the user will have to fail the test manually by clicking the Fail this test button.

When the charging test is complete, the app will automatically move on to the Microphone Test.

This test is replaced with a Manual Audio Recording Test.
​

Microphone Test

  • This is an automated test in which the AirPod Diagnostics app checks which AirPod is the “Primary” AirPod. It can be either the left or right AirPod.

  1. Primary AirPod Audio Test
    Once the Primary AirPod is identified, the app performs an audio test. In this test:

    1. A sound with a defined frequency will play in the Primary AirPod.

    2. The Primary AirPods microphone will listen to this sound.

      1. If the Microphone listens to the frequency, which matches the frequency played by the Speaker and everything is working correctly, the app will automatically pass this test. If there’s any issue, the app will Microphone Test UI, and the user will have to fail the test manually by clicking the Fail this test button. This audio test has two parts:

        1. Primary AirPod Speaker Test - Checks if the speaker in the Primary AirPod is working by playing sound of a defined frequency.

        2. Primary AirPod Microphone Test - Checks if the microphone in the Primary AirPod is working by listening to the frequency, which matches the frequency played by the Speaker.

  2. Secondary AirPod Test
    Once the Primary AirPod passes both tests, the app moves to the next screen, where it guides the user to test the other (non-primary) AirPod.

    1. The app will show an animation, instructing the user to remove the non-primary AirPod from the case and then put it back. This will switch the non-primary AirPod to the new Primary AirPod.

    2. The same audio test will then run on this new Primary AirPod, with sound frequency playing and the microphone detecting it.

      1. If this new Primary AirPod works correctly, the app will pass the test. If there’s an issue, the app will Stop on the Secondary AirPod Test UI and the user will have to fail the test manually by clicking the Fail this test button.

This completes the microphone and speaker tests for both AirPods, ensuring they work as expected and the app will move to the Test Result screen.

If the user clicks on the retest Microphone/Speaker/Touch/Tap/ANC/Ear Sensors then the system again checks for the primary Airpod and the same above flow will be performed again

Manual Audio Test

The Manual Audio Test is a step-by-step test that requires user input to check the audio quality and microphone functionality of your earbuds. This test begins after the charging test is finished. It includes two parts: a Speaker Test and a Microphone Test, performed on both earbuds (one at a time).

Speaker Test for the 1st Earbud

  1. Start the Test
    A screen will appear labeled Manual Audio Test with instructions:
    ​"Place the Left/Right earbud in your ear."

  2. Earbud Placement Check

    1. As soon as the placement is detected, it will proceed to the audio test screen and start playing audio and meanwhile detecting the touch/tap and Ear sensors in the background.

    2. If the in-ear placement is not detected then after a few seconds, a popup will ask:
      ​"Did you place the earbud in your ear?”

      1. If you place the earbud in your ear, press the Yes button.

        • If the user clicks YES the touch/tap and Ear sensors of that earbud will fail automatically and will proceed to the audio test screen and start playing audio.

      2. If not, press the No button.

        • The popup will disappear and reappear after a few seconds until you press Yes.

  3. Speaker Test

    • On this test screen sound will start playing in the earbud’s speaker if the audio sound is clear and working fine, press “Pass this test” on that screen to pass this Test.

    • If the audio sound is not playing or there’s an issue, press “Fail this test” to indicate the problem.

      • If the user fails the Speaker Test for an earbud, all other tests for that same earbud will automatically be marked as failed.

        For example
        Even if the Touch Sensor Test for that earbud was passed earlier, it will now also be marked as failed after the Speaker Test fails.

Microphone Test for the 1st Earbud

  1. Start the Test
    After the speaker test, the microphone test will begin. The screen will show instructions:
    ​"Start recording from the Left/Right earbud."

  2. Record Your Voice

    • Start speaking into the earbud microphone.

    • When you’re done, press the Stop Recording button.

  3. Listen to the Recording
    The recorded audio will play through the earbud repeatedly. You will see two buttons:

    • Pass This Test: Press this if the recording plays clearly.

    • Fail This Test: Press this if there is any issue with the recording.

  4. Faulty Speaker

    • If the user retests the Microphone Test from the Test Result screen, the recorded sound will play through the system's speakers instead.

Moving to the 2nd Earbud

  1. Prepare for the Test:
    The screen will now display instructions to switch earbuds:
    ​"Place the Left/Right earbud in the case and keep the Right/Left earbud in your ear."

  2. Repeat the Steps:

    • The Speaker Test and Microphone Test will be performed on the second earbud in the same way as the first earbud.

Test Results

  • If both tests (Speaker and Microphone) are successful, the results will be saved in the test summary and uploaded to the cloud database.

  • If any test fails, the failure result will also be saved in the summary and uploaded to the cloud.

  • When retesting a speaker or microphone, only that specific test will be repeated, not all the tests of that earbud.

  • ANC, Spatial Audio, touch/tap, and Ear sensors will pass/fail in the background and not be able to retest these tests.

  • If an earbud is faulty, its test screen will not be displayed, and the application will mark it as failed and proceed to the final summary screen.

This process ensures that both earbuds are thoroughly tested for sound quality and microphone performance.

ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) Test

This test runs automatically in the background when the AirPods connect to the Mac. The app will check if the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) sensor is working properly:

  • If the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) sensor works correctly, the app will automatically mark the ANC test as passed.

  • If there is a problem with the ANC sensor, the app will automatically mark the ANC test as failed.

This ensures that the ANC feature is checked immediately without any extra steps. The user will see the ANC test result (pass/Fail) on the test result screen. There is no UI available for this test.

Ear Sensor Test

This test runs automatically in the background when the in-ear placement is detected on the Manual Audio Test Screen.The app will check if the Ear Sensor is working properly:

  • If the Ear Sensor is working correctly, the app will automatically mark the Ear Sensor test as passed.

  • If there is a problem with the Ear Sensor, the app will automatically mark the Ear Sensor test as failed.

This ensures that the Ear Sensor feature is checked right away without any extra steps. The user will see the Ear Sensor test result (pass/Fail) on the test result screen. There is no UI available for this test.

Touch/Tap Sensor Test

This test runs automatically in the background when a Manual Audio/Auto audio test is performed. The app will check if the Touch/Tap Sensor is working properly:

  • If the Touch/Tap Sensor is working correctly, the app will automatically mark the Touch/Tap Sensor test as passed.

  • If there is a problem with the Touch/Tap Sensor, the app will automatically mark the Touch/Tap Sensor test as failed.

This ensures that the Touch/Tap Sensor feature is checked right away without any extra steps. The user will see the Touch/Tap Sensor test result (pass/Fail) on the test result screen. There is no UI available for this test.

Spatial Audio Test

This test runs automatically in the background when a Manual Audio/Auto audio test is performed. The app will check if the Spatial Audio is working properly:

  • If the Spatial Audio is working correctly, the app will automatically mark the Spatial Audio test as passed.

  • If there is a problem with the Spatial Audio, the app will automatically mark the Spatial Audio test as failed.

This ensures that the Spatial Audio feature is checked right away without any extra steps. The user will see the Spatial Audio test result (pass/Fail) on the test result screen. There is no UI available for this test.

Disconnection:

When AirPods are processed in the Phonecheck 3.0 app, if both AirPods are placed in the case and the case lid is closed during the process, the app will show a Disconnection Screen in the device box. This screen informs the user that the AirPods have been disconnected from the system by closing the lid or for any other reason.
​

Purpose of the Disconnection Screen:

  1. During Processing:
    The disconnection screen will appear if the AirPod case lid is accidentally or intentionally closed while processing is still ongoing (with both AirPods inside the case).

  2. After Processing:
    Once the AirPod processing is completed, and the user closes the AirPod case lid (with both AirPods inside), the disconnection screen will also be shown, and clicking on the Disconnect Device button will remove the current AirPod from the App and system and then the user can connect a new Airpod with the system for processing.

This screen serves as an explicit notification for the user about the status of the AirPods.

Connection Lost

If the Mac's Bluetooth is disabled, turned off, or not working for any reason, the app will display a Connection Lost Screen in the device box. This screen informs the user of an issue with the system’s Bluetooth.
​

When the Connection Lost Screen Appears:

  1. Bluetooth is Damaged or Not Working:

    • If the system’s Bluetooth is damaged or there is any issue that prevents it from turning on, and the app is opened, the Connection Lost Screen will appear.

  2. Bluetooth is Turned Off During Processing:

    • The Connection Lost Screen will also appear if the user accidentally or intentionally turns off Bluetooth while processing.

This screen helps the user identify the system's Bluetooth, which is causing the connection issue.


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