AirPods fell into the water, what should I do? All about the waterproofness of Apple headphones. If you’re in trouble and you drop your AirPods in water, don’t rush to turn on the device or put the earbuds in the charging case. It is better to first perform some actions that will help keep the headset working. But first, let’s talk about some aspects of AirPods’ water resistance.
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Are AirPods waterproof and sweatproof?
No AirPods are waterproof or sweatproof. Instead, some of the new models have received a certain amount of water and sweat resistance. Therefore, you should not shower or swim with AirPods. Also, don’t take your AirPods to the sauna, steam room, skiing, etc. with them. In addition, you can not wash the headphones under running tap water, put them in the washing machine and it is better not to expose them to water at all.
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 scheme, it can be assumed that future models will have the same or even better protection against water and sweat.
As far as IP ratings go, 1st and 2nd generation AirPods, like AirPods Max, do not have an official IP rating. But AirPods Pro and AirPods 3rd generation have IPX4 level protection.
Let’s talk a little about the IPX4 class to better understand its capabilities:
IP: Indicates protection against penetration of foreign particles into the device.
X: The first character after “IP” indicates the level of protection against particulate matter such as dust. The scale starts at 0 (not dustproof) and goes up to 6 (dustproof). The symbol X means that the dust test has not been carried out. Based on the markings, we can conclude 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 indicator, meaning that the device is protected from splashing water from any direction. Thus, we can conclude that AirPods Pro and AirPods 3rd generation will not break if splashed with water, juice, or similar liquid. Nothing bad will happen to them after being exposed to light rain for a short time.
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 purchase a wireless charging case for these devices. AirPods Pro originally came with a wireless charging case, but they now come with a MagSafe charging case (which is not waterproof). The 3rd generation AirPods also come with a MagSafe charging case, but it’s already waterproof.
In summary, only the MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods 3rd Gen is water and sweat resistant. The rest, including the AirPods Pro case with wireless charging and the first cases with MagSafe charging, are not 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 AirPods 3rd generation are water and sweat resistant, but this characteristic is not permanent. Due to regular use, wear, drops, etc., AirPods water resistance may decrease over time as the protective 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 tightness is broken or not. So be sure to take special precautions when using older AirPods.
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 purchase a wireless charging case for these devices. AirPods Pro originally came with a wireless charging case, but they now come with a MagSafe charging case (which is not waterproof). The 3rd generation AirPods also come with a MagSafe charging case, but it’s already waterproof.
In summary, only the MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods 3rd Gen is water and sweat resistant. The rest, including the AirPods Pro case with wireless charging and the first cases with MagSafe charging, are not 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 AirPods 3rd generation are water and sweat resistant, but this characteristic is not permanent. Due to regular use, wear, drops, etc., AirPods water resistance may decrease over time as the protective 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 tightness is broken or not. So be sure to take special precautions when using older AirPods.
Can I claim warranty free repair or replacement if my waterproof AirPods are water damaged?
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 for use.
- Do not use heat or hot air from a hair dryer to dry. The hair dryer can get very hot, which can be disastrous for the tiny insides of the AirPods. Excess heat can even melt some components!
- Apple is asking users not to use compressed air to dry their AirPods.
- Do not poke holes in your AirPods with a sharp object in the hope that liquid will spill out.
- Do not shake your AirPods vigorously, as this may cause liquid to get in rather than flow out.
What to do if your AirPods fall into water or get wet?
To prevent water damage to your valuable AirPods, follow these steps:
- Wipe down your AirPods
Take a microfiber cloth or other soft, dry cloth, such as a bath towel or tissue paper, and give your AirPods that are damp or sweaty a good wipe. 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.
- Wipe water out of the charging case with cotton swabs
Take a piece of thin cotton swab that you use to clean your ears. Rub the wand with your finger to get rid of the thin cotton threads that may then come off and remain inside the case. Then carefully use a Q-tip to soak up any liquid that may have entered the charging case.
Attention: At the very bottom of the charging case there are connectors with which AirPods receive power. Do not press or move them when cleaning with a cotton swab.
- Open the charging case and place it face down
Apple recommends opening a wet AirPods case and placing it face down. If you drop your charging case in water, be sure to place it that way and leave it unattended for a few hours.
- Use the app or special sound to force water out of the AirPods grilles
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 app to extract the juice. Alternatively, one can use an online tone generator to remove water from your AirPods. This method works even if you are using AirPods with an Android phone, Mac or PC.
Warning: Do not wear your AirPods while using apps or playing a loud water burst alarm.
- Keep your AirPods under a fan or in a warm place
In addition to the above methods, you can also try holding your AirPods under a fan or in a warm place to speed up the evaporation of the water.
- Place your AirPods in an airtight box with silica gel bags
Finally, if your AirPods have been under water for a long time, consider sealing them in an airtight container, such as a lunchbox, with silica gel sachets. This substance has water-absorbing properties, which will help remove moisture.
Note: Don’t use raw rice, this recipe doesn’t really work.
AirPods still not working? They are broken! Replace them at a discount
We hope that by this chapter your AirPods have started working and have not received any liquid damage. But if it so happened that your AirPods never worked, all you have to do is purchase a new pair of headphones, for which, alas, you will have to pay full price. But if only one of your AirPods isn’t working, or you’re having trouble with the charging case, you can save money by buying just one AirPod or this case. Chat with Apple Support or go to your nearest Apple Store, the company’s specialists will help you purchase part of the kit.
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 your AirPods soaked in water or sweat in a case without properly wiping them down.
- Of course, it’s convenient to keep your waterproof iPhone next to a water bottle or a glass of juice on your desktop. But you should be extra careful and never keep your MacBook or AirPods near water.
- Don’t wear AirPods in the rain.
- Buy a waterproof case for your AirPods. But your charging case will only be protected when closed. AirPods taken out of this case will still be vulnerable to water.
- This information will help you figure out what to do after your AirPods get wet.