Apple France to stop bundling EarPods with iPhone

AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content.

Following a change in French law, Apple will no longer be legally required to provide EarPods with its iPhone 13.

Apple originally stopped including free headphones, and chargers, with its iPhones in 2020. At the time, Apple said it was doing so to reduce electronic waste, but French authorities would not allow it. Consequently, Apple was still required to give local iPhone buyers a free pair of EarPods.

Now, according to local site Consomac, there has been a change in the regulations covering electronics sales. An in-store note seen by the publication at reseller Fnac says, in translation, that, “manufacturers of smartphones are no longer required to give headphones/hands-free kits in France.”

The law went into place at the end of 2021, with the goal of reducing France’s overall environmental footprint.

Reseller Fnac says that Xiaomi phones ceased bundling headphones from January 17, 2022. Fancy also says that “the same will apply to Apple from the week of January 24, 2022.”

Apple has yet to comment on the change, or to alter its practices. However, official resellers have been informed and are now notifying customers.