Learn what steps to take if your AirPods, AirPods Pro, or their charging case get dropped in water or exposed to sweat, juice, beer, and other liquids.
If you dropped your AirPods in water, there are a few things to keep in mind before using them again or putting them back in their charging case. But first, let’s cover some basics about the water resistance capability of Apple AirPods.
Are AirPods waterproof or sweatproof?
AirPods are not fully waterproof or sweatproof. While newer models are water and sweat-resistant, it’s important to note that they are not designed for activities like showering, swimming, or extreme environments such as saunas or skiing. Avoid washing them under the tap, putting them in the washing machine, or exposing them to excessive moisture.
What is the IP rating of AirPods and their charging cases?
No IP rating: AirPods 1st generation, AirPods 2nd generation, AirPods Max, and their charging cases are not water or sweat-resistant. They don’t have an official IP rating.
IPX4 rating: AirPods Pro 1 are sweat and water-resistant for non-water sports and exercise. They have an IP rating of IPX4. However, the charging case for AirPods Pro (1st generation) isn’t sweat- or water-resistant.
Unlike the AirPods Pro 1, however, the following AirPods models, as well as their charging cases, are sweat and water-resistant for non-water sports and exercise. They have an IPX4 rating:
- AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning port)
- AirPods 3 with Lightning Charging Case or MagSafe Charging Case
- AirPods 4 with normal charging case
IP54 rating: AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C port) and AirPods 4 (ANC) with Wireless Charging Case are water, sweat, and dust-resistant for non-water sports and exercises. They have a rating of IP54.
IP57 rating: The newest AirPods Pro 3 have an improved IP57 rating, which means they should survive even if left submerged in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
Let’s dissect the terms IPX4, IP54, and IP57 to understand them better:
- IP: Ingress Protection
- X or 5: The first character after “IP” signifies the level of protection against solid particles like dust. It’s measured on a level that starts at 0 (not protected against dust) and goes up to 6 (dust-tight). X indicates that testing has not been conducted for dust protection. 5 means the product has pretty good dust resistance.
- 4: The second character after “IP” indicates the level of protection against liquids like water. It is rated on a scale from 0 (no protection) to 9 (protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jet sprays or steam-cleaning). A rating of 4 is considered decent, meaning the device is protected against splashes of water from any direction. Therefore, we can conclude that AirPods (3rd generation and newer), AirPods Pro 1, and AirPods Pro 2 will not be damaged if splashed with water, juice, or similar liquids. They should also be fine in light rain for short periods.
- 7: The new AirPods Pro 3, with an IP57 rating, have the best protection yet. They can technically stay safe even if you submerge them in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
Here’s a table from Suprabeam that tells you what the other digits in an IP rating mean:
Non-scientific, non-recommended read: A few years back, I was highly frustrated with my AirPods 1st generation sounding incredibly low, and I submerged them in a mug of water for about 15 minutes, hoping this would clear the dirt blocking the speaker grills. I was prepared to buy a new pair. However, my non-IP-certified AirPods survived and still worked (it didn’t improve the sound quality, though).
Is the water resistance capability of AirPods a permanent characteristic?
AirPods Pro (all models) and AirPods 3rd generation and newer are water and sweat-resistant, but this is not a permanent condition. With regular use, wear and tear, drops, and other factors, the water resistance capabilities of AirPods may decrease over time as the seals weaken. Additionally, chemicals in products like soap, face wash, lotions, perfumes, sunscreen, oil, hair dye, etc., can damage the water seals and membranes.
There is no clear indicator to determine if the seal is compromised, so it’s important to take extra care when using older AirPods.
Can I claim a warranty, free repair, or replacement if my water-resistant AirPods are destroyed by water?
No. Liquid damage of any kind isn’t covered under warranty.
What not to do after dropping AirPods in water
- Don’t immediately put the AirPods in their charging case.
- Don’t put AirPods Max to charge.
- Don’t connect AirPods to a device to use them.
- Don’t use heat or hot air from a hair dryer. A hairdryer can get extremely hot and be catastrophic for the tiny internal parts of the AirPods. Too much heat can even melt some components!
- Apple also asks you not to use compressed air to dry AirPods.
- Don’t poke sharp objects inside AirPods in the hope of ejecting the liquid.
- Don’t shake the AirPods vigorously, as it can cause the liquid to go inside instead of oozing out.
What to do after dropping AirPods in water or getting them wet
Do the following to prevent your precious AirPods from water damage.
1. Wipe your AirPods
Use a microfiber cloth or a soft, dry cloth, such as a bath towel or napkin, to gently wipe your wet or sweaty AirPods. In case juice, Coke, or a similar liquid falls on AirPods and stains them, use a slightly moist cloth to clean the surface. However, be sure not to inject water from the damp cloth into the openings of the AirPods.
2. Dry water from the charging case using cotton swabs
Grab a piece of thin cotton swab that you use to clean your ears. Rub your fingers to get rid of fine cotton strands that may break and clog inside. Next, carefully use a Q-tip to dry out any liquid that may have entered the charging case.
Caution: The bottom of the charging case has metal connectors/pins by which AirPods charge. Be sure not to press or dislodge them when cleaning with the cotton swab.
3. Open the charging case and place it facing down
Apple recommends opening the AirPods case and placing it facing down. If you dropped your charging case in water, make sure you do this and leave it alone for at least a few hours.
4. Force eject water from the AirPods grills
Playing sounds of a certain frequency can cause the liquid to escape from the speaker mesh. Go to iPhone or iPad Control Center and connect your AirPods. Next, use the iOS shortcut mentioned in this post to eject the water. Or, go to Online Tone Generator or play this YouTube video to remove water from AirPods. This method works even if you use your AirPods with an Android phone, Mac, or PC.
Caution: Don’t wear the AirPods while using the shortcut or playing the loud water-eject tone.
5. Keep the AirPods under a fan or in a warm environment
In addition to the above methods, you can also consider keeping your AirPods in a warm area or under a fan to expedite water evaporation.
6. Seal the AirPods in an airtight box with silica gel packets
Finally, if your AirPods were submerged underwater for a long time, consider sealing them in an airtight container like a lunchbox with some silica gel packets. Silica gel has water-absorbent capabilities that help eliminate moisture.
Note: Don’t use unboiled rice, as it doesn’t work.
AirPods still not working? Replace them at a discount
I hope that by now, your AirPods are working fine and there was no liquid damage. However, in the unfortunate case that your AirPods aren’t functioning, your only remaining option is to buy a new pair at full price. The good news is that if only one AirPod or the charging case isn’t working, you can save a little money by purchasing these individual components separately. Chat with Apple support or visit your nearest Apple Store, and they will assist you with this.
Tips to prevent AirPods water damage in the future
Follow these recommendations to ensure your AirPods aren’t water-damaged and serve you for a long time:
- Check your jeans, pants, and shirt pockets before laundry.
- Never put your wet or sweaty AirPods in their case without wiping them properly.
- I’m comfortable keeping my water-resistant iPhone near a water bottle or glass of juice on my work table. But I take extra caution and never keep my MacBook or AirPods near water. I hope you do the same.
- Don’t wear your AirPods in the rain.
- Buy a waterproof AirPods case. But that will only protect your charging case when closed. AirPods, when out of this case, will still be vulnerable to water.
Also, check out: 9 things you should do after accidentally dropping your iPhone in water