My AirPods Pro Case is Dead

Posted on: Apple, Hardware.Tagline: Five years later, the lithium-ion reality sets in.I got my AirPods Pro in February 2021. They’ve been my daily drivers for over five years, which, in the world of tiny lithium-ion batteries, is basically ancient history. Now, the case has finally given up. It doesn't work unless it's plugged into a charger. The moment I pull the cable, it's a brick. It’s the classic symptom of a completely exhausted battery. If you’re in the same boat, there are a few things you can try before declared it dead, though I wouldn't hold my breath. The Factory Reset: Sometimes the firmware just gets stuck. Put the buds in the case, close the lid for 30 seconds, then open it and hold the setup button on the back for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white. The Deep Charge: If the battery hit absolute zero, the power management chip might be struggling. Take the buds out, plug the empty case into a wall charger, and leave it alone for two hours. I tried both.…