If there’s one head-scratching decision Apple made in 2023, it’s not updating the AirPods Max. Not only has its high-end headphones not received a refresh since their debut in 2020, they are also one of the few remaining Apple devices to still sport a Lightning port. With no immediate rumors of an update anytime soon, engineer Ken Pillonel has taken it upon himself to do it himself.
Pillonel, who previously added USB-C to the iPhone before Apple, posted a video of the process to his YouTube channel Exploring the Simulation and it’s surprisingly not that difficult. It doesn’t require any drilling or special tools, but you will need to buy a USB-C Flex board for 39.90 Swiss Franc (about $45). The mod adds USB-C charging but doesn’t provide USB-C audio due to the limitations of the AirPods Max’s processor.
As with previous mods, the USB-C plug fits perfectly in the space occupied by the Lightning port once the metal lip around the opening is removed.
The connector sits on top of the existing Lightning board but Pilonel designed a board that “doesn’t touch any of the tallest components.” He says he spent hours trying to find the right connector and it worked “on the first try.” However, he created a second version of the board with a flexible arm to eliminate excessive force on the other components.
So if you’re tired of waiting for Apple to get around to upgrading AirPods Max with a USB-C port, now’s your chance to get it—without shelling out $550 for a brand new pair of headphones.
Performing this operation on your AirPods Max voids your warranty, naturally.
Author: Michael Simon, Executive Editor
Michael Simon has been covering Apple since the iPod was the iWalk. His obsession with technology goes back to his first PC—the IBM Thinkpad with the lift-up keyboard for swapping out the drive. He's still waiting for that to come back in style tbh.