Apple is offering a fantastic deal for college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels. Essentially, through the Apple Education store, you can get a free set of second-generation AirPods when purchasing a new Macbook or iPad.

You don’t need to provide any ID or certificates upfront if you're a US student, either. Here's everything you need to know.

How To Get Free Airpods When You Buy A New Macbook Or Ipad image 2
Apple

How does Apple's free AirPods deal work?

Step one

Go to the Apple Education (US) store, and then scroll down until you see Apple's promotions:

Buy MacBook Air. Get AirPods. Powerful enough to run everything you need. Battery enough to run all day. Light enough to run to class. Education pricing: From $899, or $74.91 per month for 12 months via Apple Card installments.

Buy MacBook Pro. Get AirPods. Supercharged performance. A superimmersive Retina display. And superlong battery life. It’s your very own superpower, and it fits in your backpack. Education pricing: From $1199, or $99.91 per month for 12 months via Apple Card installments.

Buy iMac. Get AirPods. A 24-inch 4.5K Retina display to let your work shine. And the powerful M1 chip to get it all done. Choose from seven vibrant colors to light up your dorm. Education pricing: From $1249, or $104.08 per month for 12 months via Apple Card installments.

Buy Mac Pro or Mac mini. Get AirPods. Whether you’re building gaming environments or exploring them. Animating in 3D or watching a movie. These two desktops can do it all. Education pricing: Mac Pro starts at $5599 or $466.58 per month for 12 months via Apple Card installments, while Mac Mini starts at $649 or $54.08 per month via Apple Card installments.

Buy iPad Pro. Get AirPods. With a PhD in power, iPad Pro features the Apple M1 chip. Do everything from editing HDR videos to playing console-quality games to collaborating in Google Docs. All before your first class. Education pricing: From $749, or $61.41 per month for 12 months via Apple Card installments.

Buy iPad Air. Get AirPods. A notepad in class. Sketchbook on the quad. Movie theater in your room. And creative studio wherever you go. It’s everything you need for school. And then some. Education pricing: From $549, or $45.75 per monthly via Apple Card installments.

Step two

Select one of the promos. You will have the option to customise your device, by colour, size, and so on. Do that and then hit continue. It’s just like buying anything else on Apple’s website. You don’t need to provide any ID or certificates upfront if you're a US student, either. If Apple isn’t certain you're eligible to get one of its promotions, it might email you for verification. Apple also has a limit on how much students and educators can buy in a year.

Step three

Once you've hit continue, Apple should surface the AirPods deal. It'll say, "We’re throwing in AirPods with your new [device]," and then you can add the item to your bag. Apple is also giving you the option to upgrade to the AirPods with the wireless charging case for an extra $40 or the AirPods Pro for $90 out of pocket.

Only the second-generation standard AirPods are free with your purchase.

Step four

Once you've added the AirPods to your bag, you can review your bag and check out. You will see the option to add accessories at a discount and get an additional 20 per cent off AppleCare+ before you check out. These specials are part of Apple's promotion.

Which Apple devices are eligible?

Here are the Macs and iPad models you can buy to get a free pair of AirPods:

How do Apple Card monthly payment installments work?

Pocket-lint has an in-depth guide that explains how you can purchase Apple devices on monthly payment plans using your Apple Card:

Anything else you should know?

Apple said quantity limits apply. See its Sales and Refund policy for full terms and conditions.