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You can replace both Fairbuds 2 earbud batteries and the charging-case battery yourself. Fairphone describes the repairs as tool-free and glue-free: the earbud cell sits in a hinged, rotating tray beneath a removable silicone ring, while the case cell is inside a removable core held by one bottom screw. The earbud swap is listed at about 5–10 minutes and the case swap at about 2 minutes.
Use an original or explicitly compatible Fairphone replacement, match the earbud’s polarity marks, avoid forcing the tray or overstretching the weather-sealing ring, and keep the earbuds and case disconnected from charging while open.
What can be replaced in Fairbuds 2?
Fairbuds 2 is built around separately replaceable modules rather than sealed-in batteries. There are three relevant parts:
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- Charging-case battery: the cell at the bottom of the removable case core.
- Charging-case core: a separate electronics module. It is not the same part as the case battery and can be the cause of charging failures that remain after a battery replacement.
Replacing only the failed module avoids buying a complete new set. Fairphone also lists individual replacement earbuds, which can help when the earbud itself—not its battery—is defective.
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Choose the right part before you open anything
Start with the symptom and the location of the battery. A short-running left or right earbud points first to that earbud’s cell. A case that quickly runs flat or cannot retain energy points to the case battery. A case that still shows charging problems with a known-good battery points instead to the charging-case core, which contains the case electronics.
Do not order a part solely from a photograph or a capacity number. The Fairbuds FAQ identifies the earbud battery as LIR1054 and the charging-case battery as 500 mAh for the Fairbuds family, but it does not publish a complete Fairbuds 2 chemistry, dimensions, connector and protection specification set. A similar-looking lithium cell can have different contacts, protection circuitry or physical tolerances. Use the Fairbuds 2 replacement sold by Fairphone or a substitute explicitly identified as Fairbuds 2-compatible.
Parts, specifications, time and listed prices
The following figures are Fairphone listings or Fairphone support information available in 2026. Prices are listed amounts and can change by region, tax treatment or stock status.
| Repair | Access method | Fairphone time estimate | Listed price | What the part addresses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbuds 2 earbud battery replacement kit | Remove silicone ring, open rotating battery tray | About 5–10 minutes | €9.95 | An earbud that has reduced runtime or will no longer hold a charge when its charging contacts and electronics are otherwise working |
| Fairbuds 2 charging-case battery replacement | Remove one bottom screw, lift out the case core, replace the cell | About 2 minutes | €12.95 | A case that cannot retain charge because its battery is depleted or worn |
| Fairbuds 2 charging-case core | Replace the removable core module | Not stated | €29.95 | Charging or case-electronics faults that persist with a known-good battery |
Fairphone’s Fairbuds FAQ identifies the earbud battery as LIR1054. It identifies the charging-case battery as 500 mAh for the Fairbuds family. The FAQ does not provide a complete Fairbuds 2 chemistry, dimensions and protection-specification set, so do not select a substitute merely because its label or appearance seems similar.
In cost terms, the earbud kit is €9.95 and the case battery is €12.95 on Fairphone’s current product listings. The €29.95 charging-case core is a different purchase: it is for a suspected electronics failure, not an ordinary worn-out cell. A single replacement earbud is also listed if the earbud hardware remains defective after battery and contact checks.
Before opening an earbud or case
Get the correct replacement
Buy the Fairbuds 2 earbud battery replacement kit for an earbud, or the Fairbuds 2 charging-case battery replacement for the case. Do not assume that another LIR-format cell, a generic 500 mAh cell or a battery from a different earbud model is electrically, physically or protection-compatible. Use an original Fairphone part or one explicitly identified as compatible with Fairbuds 2.
Make the work area safe
- Stop charging the part you will open.
- Disconnect the earbuds and case from every cable.
- Work on a flat, stable, clean surface so a small cell or screw cannot roll away.
- Keep fingers and battery contacts free of grease, dust and moisture.
- Set aside a local battery-recycling route for the old cell before starting.
These are small rechargeable lithium batteries. Do not puncture, crush, bend, short, heat or attempt to recharge a visibly damaged cell. If a battery is swollen, leaking or hot, stop and use local hazardous-battery guidance rather than installing or transporting it as ordinary waste.
Have the replacement, the removed silicone ring or case screw, and a small clean space ready before you begin. The work is short, but rushing the first opening step is what most often damages the tray, ring or screw. Keep the left and right earbud parts together; the inside of each ring is marked L or R.
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How to replace a Fairbuds 2 earbud battery
Repeat the procedure separately for the left and right earbud when necessary. Fairphone’s repair estimate is about 5–10 minutes per earbud. The tray is designed for access, but it is still a small hinged mechanism.
1. Remove the silicone ring
- Hold the earbud securely without pressing the touch control unnecessarily.
- Use a fingernail to pull the silicone ring up and over the outside of the earbud.
- If your fingernail cannot start the edge, Fairphone says a prying tool may be used carefully.
Pull only as far as needed. The ring contributes to protection from rain and sweat; overstretching, tearing or reinstalling it incorrectly can reduce that protection. Work around the edge rather than yanking one section a long distance.
2. Open the rotating battery tray
- With the ring removed, locate the tray and its + and − indicators.
- Open the tray gently. It is a rotating tray and does not open completely.
- Treat the hinge as delicate. Do not twist the tray past its designed travel or pry against the earbud housing.
Fairphone specifically recommends not fiddling with the mechanism unless necessary, so the tray and silicone ring remain serviceable for as long as possible. If the tray appears stuck, check that the ring is fully out of the way and that no debris is caught at the edge; do not add force.
3. Remove and orient the replacement cell
- Lift out the old battery without scraping or bending the contacts.
- Place the replacement in the tray with its positive and negative ends aligned to the tray’s printed marks.
- Keep the cell and contact surfaces clean. Oil or dust can make an otherwise good battery unreliable.
Polarity is not optional. A cell that looks correctly sized but is installed backwards can prevent operation and may damage the contact arrangement. Compare the old cell’s orientation only as a secondary check; the printed tray markings are the authority.
4. Close the tray
Rotate the tray back into position and press it closed until it clicks. If it does not close normally, stop and check that the cell is seated flat and that its polarity matches the markings. Do not force the hinge or compress the battery.
5. Reinstall the silicone ring
- Fit the ring back over the earbud body.
- Align its raised outer lip correctly around the housing.
- Use the inside marking to confirm that the ring belongs to the left (L) or right (R) earbud.
- Run a finger around the perimeter to ensure the ring is seated evenly, with no folded section.
The lip should sit continuously around the housing rather than dipping under it at one point. A ring that is twisted or partly lifted can compromise the rain and sweat protection Fairphone designed it to provide.
6. Wake and check the earbud
Place the earbud in the charging case and close and reopen the lid, or hold its touch control for three seconds. Confirm that it powers up and begins charging in the case before recycling the old battery. If it does not wake, remove it and repeat the basic checks once: tray click, polarity, clean contacts and evenly seated ring.
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How to replace the Fairbuds 2 charging-case battery
The case battery is accessed from the bottom through the removable charging-case core. Fairphone lists this swap at about 2 minutes. Keep the case disconnected from charging throughout the procedure.
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1. Remove the bottom screw
- Turn the case over on the flat work surface.
- Remove the single screw on the bottom and put it somewhere it cannot be lost.
The manufacturer describes the battery swaps as tool-free and glue-free, but this step still involves a captive screw. Use a driver that fits the screw head correctly if one is required; do not force or strip it. “Tool-free” describes the repair design and the lack of adhesive, not permission to use an ill-fitting tool.
2. Lift out the core
- Open the case cover.
- Lift the charging-case core out of the outer shell.
- Do not pull on wires or contacts. The battery is located at the bottom of this core.
Keep the outer shell, cover and core oriented as they came apart. The core is the electronics module, so avoid dropping it or placing it on a dirty surface while the battery is exposed.
3. Exchange the battery
- Remove the old cell from the bottom of the core.
- Install the Fairbuds 2-compatible replacement in the same position and orientation.
- Check that it sits flat and that no contact, lead or edge is trapped under the cell.
There is no reason to alter the core or its electronics during a battery change. If the replacement does not sit naturally in the battery location, stop and verify the part identity rather than pressing it into place.
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4. Reassemble and test
- Place the core back into the outer shell.
- Close the case cover.
- Reinstall and tighten the bottom screw without overtightening.
- Connect the case to charging and check that its charging indicator behaves normally.
Recycle the removed battery through an appropriate local battery-recycling service rather than household trash. Test the case before putting the earbuds back into daily service so a remaining fault is not mistaken for an earbud problem.
How to tell whether the battery or charging core has failed
A case that will not charge is not automatically a bad battery. Fairphone identifies the charging-case core as a separately replaceable module containing the case electronics. The most useful distinction is whether the case has a battery-retention problem or a charging-control problem.
| Observed symptom | Most useful next check | Likely repair path |
|---|---|---|
| An earbud runs for much less time than it used to, but it is detected and charges when seated correctly | Replace that earbud’s cell, observing the tray polarity marks | Earbud battery |
| An earbud does not wake after replacement | Recheck tray closure, +/− orientation, clean contacts and the silicone-ring fit; then try the three-second touch-control or case-lid wake procedure | Battery installation or contact issue before assuming another failed module |
| The case loses charge quickly or cannot hold a charge | Install the correct case battery and confirm the core is seated and the screw is secure | Charging-case battery |
| The case still has charging trouble with a battery known to be working | Consider the separate charging-case core | Charging-case core, not another battery |
| The case or an earbud has physical damage, a swollen cell or heat | Stop the repair and use local battery-safety guidance | Do not continue normal installation |
Replacing a battery cannot repair failed charging electronics. If the new case battery does not cure the charging symptom, the core is the next Fairphone-listed repair candidate at €29.95. Conversely, buying a core first is unnecessary when the case simply has a worn battery and otherwise charges normally.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Forcing the earbud tray
The tray is hinged and intentionally does not open all the way. Prying it beyond its travel can damage the mechanism. Open it only enough to remove and insert the cell.
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The ring is not just cosmetic. It helps protect against rain and sweat. Remove it with a controlled lift, avoid unnecessary stretching and check the raised lip all the way around during reassembly.
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Installing a visually similar battery
Size alone does not establish compatibility. The Fairbuds FAQ names LIR1054 for the earbud battery and 500 mAh for the Fairbuds family case battery, but it does not publish every Fairbuds 2 electrical and mechanical specification. Use the dedicated replacement part or an explicitly compatible equivalent.
Ignoring polarity
Look at the printed +/− indicators before removing the old earbud cell and again before closing the tray. A reversed cell can stop the earbud from starting and can create a contact problem.
Working while connected to a cable
Unplug the earbud or case and stop charging before opening it. Reconnect only after the housing is closed and the module is seated.
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Rechargeable batteries require an appropriate local recycling route. Keep the removed cell separate until you can deliver it to that service.
Assuming every charging fault is a battery fault
The replaceable core is a distinct part. If a known-good replacement battery leaves the case unable to charge correctly, repeating the battery swap will not restore failed case electronics. Move the diagnosis to the core instead.
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- Required parts: the correct Fairbuds 2 earbud battery kit or charging-case battery replacement.
- For the earbud: normally a fingernail; Fairphone allows a prying tool if necessary, used carefully.
- For the case: access to the single bottom screw; use a properly fitting driver if the screw head requires one.
- Not required: adhesive, glue or replacement of the complete earbud set.
- Useful preparation: a clean, stable surface and a battery-recycling option.
The job does not call for soldering, heat or chemical adhesive. The owner-accessible design is the tray for the earbud and the screw-and-core arrangement for the case. That simplicity is also why forcing, bending or improvising a battery is counterproductive.
After the repair
Check the repaired part before putting it back into daily use. An earbud should wake through the case-lid sequence or the three-second touch-control hold and should show normal charging when seated. A case should close correctly, retain its core, and respond normally when connected to a charger. If the symptom remains, retrace the relevant installation checks once; repeated force is more likely to damage the tray, ring, contacts or screw than to solve an electronic fault.
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The practical decision is straightforward: use the €9.95 earbud battery kit for a worn earbud cell, the €12.95 case battery replacement for a worn case cell, and the separately listed €29.95 charging-case core when a known-good case battery does not resolve charging problems. All three are owner-serviceable Fairbuds 2 repair paths, with the earbud requiring the most care because of its rotating tray and protective silicone ring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace a Fairbuds 2 battery myself?
Yes. Fairphone says both the earbud and charging-case battery swaps are designed to be tool-free and glue-free. The earbud uses a rotating tray under a removable silicone ring; the case uses one bottom screw and a removable core.
What battery does the Fairbuds 2 earbud use?
Fairphone’s Fairbuds FAQ identifies the earbud battery as LIR1054. Use the dedicated Fairbuds 2 replacement kit or a cell explicitly confirmed as compatible; do not rely on size alone.
What capacity is the Fairbuds charging-case battery?
Fairphone lists 500 mAh for the Fairbuds family. The available FAQ does not give every Fairbuds 2 chemistry, dimension and protection detail, so a generic 500 mAh cell is not automatically suitable.
How much do replacement batteries cost?
Fairphone lists the Fairbuds 2 earbud battery replacement kit at €9.95 and the charging-case battery replacement at €12.95. A separately listed charging-case core costs €29.95. Prices can vary with region, taxes and stock.
How long does each replacement take?
Fairphone’s repair portal estimates about 5–10 minutes for an earbud battery and about 2 minutes for the charging-case battery.
Why is my case still not charging after a new battery?
If the replacement battery is known to work and is installed correctly, the separately replaceable charging-case core may be faulty. The core contains the case electronics and is a different part from the battery.
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Do I need a special tool?
For an earbud, normally only a fingernail is needed; Fairphone says a prying tool may be used carefully if necessary. The case has one bottom screw, so use a properly fitting driver if the screw head requires one. No glue or soldering is required.
How do I restart an earbud after changing its battery?
Put it in the charging case and close and reopen the lid, or hold its touch control for three seconds. If it remains inactive, check polarity, tray closure, clean contacts and the ring fit before diagnosing another failed part.
Can I throw the old battery in the trash?
No. Recycle the rechargeable lithium cell through an appropriate local battery-recycling service. Do not transport or recharge a cell that is swollen, leaking or hot; follow local hazardous-battery guidance.
The Bottom Line
Fairbuds 2 battery replacement is a practical owner repair: €9.95 for an earbud kit, €12.95 for the case battery, and about 5–10 minutes or 2 minutes respectively. Match the earbud polarity marks, protect the silicone ring and tray, and consider the €29.95 charging-case core only when a known-good battery does not fix the case electronics.
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Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
