AirPods Got Wet? What iPhone 18 Pro Max Owners Should Do

Summary

• AirPods are not waterproof. They only have varying levels of water resistance.
• Avoid water damage by drying your AirPods after workouts and using them away from water activities.
• If your AirPods accidentally get wet, never attempt to dry them with rice or high temperatures.

No AirPods are waterproof. Only a few AirPods models and their cases are water-resistant, but they don’t stay that way forever either, so you’re always better off safe than sorry.

Below, we look at the AirPods and AirPods cases that are water-resistant, how to protect your AirPods from water damage, and how to dry them safely in case they do get wet.

Which AirPods and AirPods Case Are Water-Resistant?

It’s common to confuse waterproof with water resistance. When a device is waterproof, water cannot get inside or cause damage, no matter how long it is underwater or how deep it goes. None of Apple’s AirPods are waterproof.

In contrast, a water-resistant device only stops water from getting inside for a limited time or at limited depths. We measure water resistance using the IP rating system.

Here’s the water resistance of each AirPods model. Identify your AirPods model, then match it to the table below:

For the case itself, all AirPods charging cases are not water-resistant except for these models:

An IPX4 rating means that the AirPods model is sweat—and water-resistant for non-water sports and exercise. An IP54 rating means the AirPods are dust, sweat, and water-resistant, again, only for non-water sports and exercise. An IP57 rating means the AirPods are dust, sweat, and water-resistant for non-water sports and exercise (maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes).

How to Avoid Water Damage to Your AirPods

Even though some AirPods models are water-resistant, Apple warns that their water-resistant seals will degrade over time. Also, there’s no way to find out if a water-resistant seal still works or not, and there’s no way to re-seal it either.

Therefore, you should never let your AirPods get wet on purpose. Here are some common activities you should not do with your AirPods or AirPods Pro, even if they are water-resistant:

• Don’t swim or shower with your AirPods.
• Don’t wear your AirPods in heavy rain. Put your AirPods away when it starts to rain.
• Don’t use your AirPods while doing water sports.
• Don’t let your AirPods go in the washing machine. Check your pockets before putting clothes in the wash.
• Don’t take your AirPods into a sauna or steam room.

Additionally, to keep your AirPods as safe and dry as possible:

• Don’t leave your AirPods on wet surfaces.
• Keep your AirPods away from people’s drinks.
• Keep your AirPods in the case when you aren’t using them.
• Avoid dropping or crushing your AirPods to keep the water-resistant seals intact.
• Immediately remove makeup, perfume, sun lotion, or other substances that get on your AirPods.

Sweat and water-resistant AirPods should be okay when you sweat on them at the gym. But you still need to make sure you dry them properly before returning them to the case.

For the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, for example, Apple explicitly states that damage caused by liquid contact is not covered under the warranty.

For the AirPods, Apple states that damage resulting from abuse or accidents is not covered. Given that you’re advised not to use the AirPods during water-related activities anyway, this means that you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket to replace your AirPods if they stop working.

What to Do if Your AirPods Get Wet

Sometimes, even if you’ve taken the precautions above and practiced proper care, an accident may still happen, causing your AirPods to get wet.

First, immediately wipe off the water using a dry, lint-free cloth. We suggest a microfiber cloth, although you could use a cotton swab to dry the small ports.

Then, leave your AirPods out in the open for at least two hours to let them air dry. Don’t use them during this time; leave your AirPods to dry overnight if possible. The best spot to leave your AirPods would be a cool, dry place with a gentle airflow.

Make sure that your AirPods are completely dry before attempting to return them to the charging case to avoid damaging the case by letting any residual water get inside.

If your AirPods charging case gets wet, remove the AirPods, wipe with a lint-free cloth, and stand the case upside down with the lid open to let it drip dry. Again, you should allow at least a couple of hours to dry, preferably overnight.

Regardless of what others say, you shouldn’t put your AirPods in a bag of rice to dry them. Rice doesn’t magically fix water damage and may lead to grainy bits getting stuck in the various ports and holes.

You should also avoid extremely hot or cold temperatures. Don’t put your AirPods on a radiator or use a blow-dryer to speed up the process. Doing so could easily cause your AirPods to overheat and damage the circuitry inside.

If You Get Anything Other Than Water on Your AirPods

Different liquids can damage your AirPods in different ways. Solvents or lotions can eat away at the water-resistant seals, soda forms a sticky residue that blocks the speaker, coffee can stain the white plastic, and seawater might leave a salt residue when it dries.

If you get anything other than clean water on your AirPods, use a damp cloth to wipe them down before letting them dry. Be careful not to get more liquid inside your AirPods when using a damp cloth.

Please note that even after following the instructions above to dry your AirPods, they will not always work. Water can affect them instantly or slowly rust the circuits over weeks or months.

Since AirPods are only water-resistant and not waterproof, you can consider buying a waterproof AirPods charging case or AirPods ear hooks to keep them secure and protected. The waterproof charging case keeps your AirPods dry when you aren’t using them, while the ear hooks stop them from falling out of your ears and into a puddle.

Lastly, remember that you should not use your AirPods in unsuitable environments, such as the shower, swimming pool, or rain to begin with.