6 things to do after you drop your AirPods in water or get wet and sweaty

If you drop your AirPods in water, follow these steps before using them again or putting them back in the charging case. But first, let’s walk you through some of the basics related to AirPods waterproofing.

Are AirPods waterproof and sweatproof?

No AirPods are waterproof or sweatproof. Instead, some of the newer models are water and sweat resistant. Therefore, you should not shower or swim with them. Also, don’t take your AirPods to the sauna, steam room, skiing, etc. Also, don’t wash them under a tap, put them in a washing machine, or expose them to water.

Recommended reading: 9 things you should do after accidentally dropping your iPhone in water

What is the IP rating of AirPods?

To date, Apple has released five models of AirPods. Unfortunately, 1st generation AirPods, 2nd generation AirPods, and AirPods Max are not water or sweat resistant. However, AirPods Pro and AirPods 3rd generation are water and sweat resistant. Based on this diagram, it can be assumed that future models will have the same or better protection against water and sweat.

In terms of IP ratings, 1st and 2nd generation AirPods and AirPods Max do not have an official IP rating. AirPods Pro and AirPods 3rd generation are IPX4 rated.

Let’s break down the word IPX4 to better understand it:

• IP: Ingress Protection
• X: That is, the first character after “IP”indicates the level of protection against solid particles such as dust. It is measured at a level that starts at 0 (not dustproof) and goes up to 6 (dustproof). X means no dust test has been carried out. Thus, it can be concluded that AirPods do not have an official IP dust rating.
• 4: The second character after “IP”indicates the level of protection against liquids such as water. It is measured on a scale from 0 (no protection against water) to 8 (can be submerged under water for 1 meter or more for a certain time). 4 is a relatively good rating, meaning the device is splash-proof from any direction. Thus, we can conclude that AirPods Pro and AirPods 3rd generation will not be destroyed when splashed with water, juice, or similar liquid. They should also be fine in light rain for a short time.

Here is a table from Suprabeam that shows what the other numbers in the IP rating mean:

Additional non-scientific, not recommended reading: In April 2020, during the COVID lockdown, I was very disappointed that my 1st generation AirPods were sounding incredibly low and I submerged them in a mug of water for about 15 minutes, hoping it cleans dirt, etc. I was ready to buy a new pair. However, my non-IP-certified AirPods survived and still worked (although the sound quality didn’t improve).

Are AirPods charging cases waterproof?

There are three types of AirPods charging cases: Standard Charging Case, Wireless Charging Case, and MagSafe Charging Case.

AirPods 1st and 2nd generation come with a standard charging case. But you can additionally buy a case with wireless charging for them. AirPods Pro used to come with a wireless charging case, but now they come with a MagSafe charging case (which is not waterproof). The 3rd generation AirPods also come with a MagSafe charging case, but it’s waterproof.

In short, only the MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods 3rd Generation is water and sweat resistant. The rest, including the AirPods Pro Wireless and MagSafe charging cases, aren’t waterproof. And the open case for AirPods Max clearly does not have such protection.

Is the water resistance of my AirPods Pro and AirPods 3rd generation a permanent feature?

AirPods Pro and 3rd generation are water and sweat resistant, but this is not a permanent condition. Due to regular use, wear, drops, etc., AirPods water resistance may decrease over time as the seals loosen. Also, chemicals in things like soaps, cleansers, lotions, perfumes, sunscreen, oils, hair dye, etc. can weaken water seals and membranes.

There is no fixed parameter that allows you to determine whether the print is broken or not. So be sure to take special precautions when using older AirPods.

Can I claim a warranty, free repair or replacement if my waterproof AirPods are destroyed by water?

No. The warranty does not cover any damage caused by liquid ingress.

What not to do after dropping AirPods into water?

• Do not put your AirPods directly into the charging case.
• Don’t charge your AirPods Max.
• Do not connect them to any device to use them.
• Do not use heat or hot air from a hair dryer. The hair dryer can get very hot and be disastrous for the tiny insides of the AirPods. Too much heat can even melt some of the ingredients!
• Apple also asks you not to use compressed air to dry your AirPods.
• Do not poke sharp objects inside AirPods in the hope that liquid will spill out of them.
• Don’t shake your AirPods too hard, as this can cause liquid to get in rather than flow out.

What to do if your AirPods fall into water or get wet

Do the following to prevent water damage to your precious AirPods.

1. Wipe down your AirPods

Take a microfiber cloth or other soft, dry cloth, such as a bath towel or tissue paper, and dry your damp or sweaty AirPods thoroughly. If juice, cola, or the like gets on your AirPods and stains them, use a slightly damp cloth to clean the surface. But make sure that water from the fabric does not get inside the holes of the AirPods.

2. Wipe off water from the charging case with cotton swabs.

Take a piece of thin cotton swab with which you clean your ears. Rub your fingers to get rid of the thin cotton threads that can break and get stuck inside. Then, carefully use a Q-tip to dry any liquid that may have entered the charging case.

Attention: There are connectors for charging AirPods at the end of the charging case. Do not press or move it when cleaning with a cotton swab.

3. Open the charging case and place it face down.

Apple recommends opening the AirPods case and placing it face down. If you drop your charging case in water, be sure to do so and leave it unattended for a few hours.

4. Use a shortcut or special sound to force water out of the AirPods grills.

Playing sounds of a certain frequency may cause fluid to leak from the speaker grid. Start by connecting your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad. Then use the iOS shortcut mentioned in this post to push the water out. Alternatively, you can go to an online tone generator or play this YouTube video to remove water from your AirPods. This method works even if you use AirPods with an Android phone, Mac, or PC.

Warning. Do not wear your AirPods while using a shortcut or playing a loud water ejection alarm.

5. Keep your AirPods under a fan or in a warm place.

Apart from the above methods, you can also consider storing your AirPods under a fan or in a warm place to speed up the evaporation of water.

6. Pack your AirPods in a sealed box with silica gel bags.

Finally, if your AirPods have been underwater for a long time, consider sealing them in an airtight container like a lunch box with silica gel packets. Silica gel has water-absorbing properties that help remove moisture.

Note: Don’t use uncooked rice as it won’t work.

AirPods still not working? They are destroyed! Replace them at a discount

I hope your AirPods are working by now and there has been no liquid damage. But in the unfortunate case that your AirPods don’t work, your option is limited to getting a new pair, which will cost you full price. But if only one AirPod or charging case isn’t working, you can save money by buying just one AirPod or charging case. Chat with Apple Support or visit your nearest Apple Store and they will help you with this.

Tips for Preventing Water Damage to AirPods in the Future

Follow these guidelines to keep your AirPods protected from water damage and last longer:

• Before washing, check the pockets of jeans, trousers and shirts.
• Never put wet or sweaty AirPods in a case without properly wiping them down.
• I find it convenient to keep my waterproof iPhone next to a water bottle or glass of juice on my desk. But I take extra care and never keep my MacBook or AirPods near water. I hope you do the same.
• Don’t wear AirPods in the rain.
• Buy a waterproof case for your AirPods. But this will only protect your charging case when closed. AirPods removed from this case will still be vulnerable to water.

This is what you need to do after getting your AirPods wet. I hope the tips were useful and you found useful information for yourself. If you have additional suggestions, please leave them in the comments section below.