Student who equipped iPhone with USB-C does the same with Apple AirPods

Ken Pillonel has created an AirPods charging case with USB-C connection based on 3D printed parts and a self-designed PCB. The mud thereby makes the schematics open source so that other users can make the charging case themselves.

Pillonel shows on YouTube how he wanted to replace the battery in his AirPods charging case. However, this is not possible by default, because the housing is not designed to be dismantled. That’s why the youtuber designed a replacement case. To achieve this, the youtuber started by breaking open the AirPods case. He used a dremel to cut away the outer part of the case. He then designed two replacement parts for both sides of the housing, which he printed using a 3D printer.

In this way it is possible to replace the battery and use the AirPods as normal. The replacement case can also be taken apart more easily, so that the battery can be replaced again in the future. However, Pillonel also made its own PCB that fits into the AirPods’ housing, allowing the case to be equipped with a USB-C connection. Normally, the earplugs use Apple’s own Lightning connector, although this will change in a few years due to approaching European legislation.

Pillonel creates the schematics for his replacement enclosure and the USB-C PCB available on its GitHub page. He reports on his website that he also gives away a number of sets. The youtuber is considering selling a pre-made kit in the future, but there are no concrete plans for that yet. Pillonel is no stranger to these types of mods. The master’s student in robotics previously fitted his iPhone X with a USB-C connection. Even then, the youtuber made the necessary schematics available via GitHub.