AirPods Pro get USB-C port in complex new mod

Back in October of 2021, Ken Pilonel made headlines by replacing the Lighting port on an iPhone X with a USB-C connector. Now the engineer has now stepped up to an even more complex mod by adding a functional USB-C port to a pair of first-gen AirPods Pro.

The process involved developing and printing a new circuit board with the USB-C connector and 3D printing a new AirPods case to fit the custom PCB.

The project involved plenty instances of trial and error, a whole new circuit board design and 3D printing. The necessary schematics are posted on GitHub so people with the right equipment can transform their AirPods with USB-C.

USB-C AirPods Pro and their custom PCB

Pilonel also plans to sell his self-developed PCB board for CHF 35 (€35/$38) and modified USB-C AirPods Pro for CHF 300 (€303/$326) from his personal website. Apple will be forced to put USB-C on all of its devices sold in the EU from December 28, 2024.