Some AirPod models are water-resistant, which means they can resist water penetration to a certain extent.
Being water-resistant doesn’t mean, however, that they’re also waterproof. You have to be careful when using them around water because if any water gets inside them, it could cause irreversible damage, and you’d have no choice but to replace them with new ones, which can be expensive.
The list of AirPod models that are water-resistant includes:
- AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd generation
- AirPods 3rd generation
Note: AirPods 1st and 2nd generations aren’t water-resistant at all.
The AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd gen and AirPods 3rd gen have an IPX4 rating, which means they’ve been through tests that prove they’re fully water-resistant.
You have to be quick if water has gotten inside your AirPods. The more time is wasted drying out the water, the more chances there are of your AirPods getting damaged. To remove moisture from your AirPods, you can use a lint-free cloth, an app, or a desiccant.
Step 1: Use a lint-free cloth
AirPods 3rd generation
Use a lint-free cloth to get rid of all the water on the outside of the AirPods and from the speaker. If wet, make sure you dry the case, too, with the cloth. Try shaking them a little to get as much water out as possible. When you’re done, store them in a dry location, and don’t use them for the next few days.
AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd gen
If you have AirPods Pro, you’ll have to remove the ear tips after cleaning them with a lint-free cloth. First, remove them from your AirPods and then rinse them with water without using soap. Finally, dry them using a lint-free cloth, ensuring no water is in them before you reattach them to your AirPods.
Step 2: Use the Water Eject shortcut
Water Eject is a shortcut on your iOS devices to eject water from the AirPods. It plays a sound with a vibration that pushes water out of the AirPods. You can add it to your shortcuts list by clicking here and tapping Get Shortcut.
Once you’ve added it to your iOS device, you can use it by simply tapping on it. Keep doing it until all the water has been pushed out of the AirPods.
Note: The Water Eject shortcut doesn’t exist on Android devices.
Step 3: Use silica gel packs
If there’s still water in your AirPods, you should use a desiccant to remove the remaining water even after you’ve tried the above methods. A desiccant is a substance that absorbs water. People often put their phones in packets of rice when they get water in them, but unfortunately, this won’t work with AirPods.
Instead, you should use silica gel packs:
- Put your AirPods in a container.
- Add the silica gel packs to it. Make sure your AirPods are entirely covered in the desiccant.
- Leave the AirPods in the container for 24 hours.