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When your AirPods get wet, it’s natural to feel concerned. Since AirPods are not water-resistant, it’s best to dry them as quickly as possible to prevent any damage. The quicker you can absorb the water, the better your AirPods will fare. This guide shows you the correct method for drying your AirPods to avoid water damage.
Steps
Immediately remove the AirPods from the water.
Take your AirPods out of the water and place them on a dry surface. While the AirPods Pro, third-generation AirPods, and the MagSafe charging case for third-generation AirPods can withstand a small amount of water, they cannot be submerged in water.
- Older models of AirPods do not have any water resistance.
- If the charging case for your AirPods gets wet, simply flip it upside down and open the lid to allow the water to drain. If the case is charging, disconnect it immediately.
Use a dry, lint-free cloth to absorb the moisture from your wet AirPods.
Absorb the water on your AirPods. Microfiber cloths, such as those included in screen or glasses cleaning kits, are most effective.
- You can use a cotton swab to gently absorb the water from the speakers, but avoid pressing too hard to prevent damage.
Use the Water Eject tool.
Download the Water Eject tool from Routinehub. When your AirPods are paired with your iPhone, the Water Eject tool can help expel water from the speakers of your iPhone/iPad and AirPods using low-frequency bass tones. Visit https://routinehub.co/shortcut/571 on your iPhone, tap Get Shortcut to download the tool, and then tap + Add Shortcut to add it to your shortcut library. After that, go to My Shortcuts, select Water Eject, and tap Begin to start the tool.
- This is not an official Apple tool, but it is recommended by several Apple user forums on Reddit and other communities.
- Repeat this process multiple times until you no longer see water coming from the small speaker.
Wait for your AirPods to dry.
Wait for your AirPods to dry before placing them in the charging case. On a sunny day, you can simply place your AirPods in the sunlight (as long as it’s not too hot) to speed up the drying process. If not, place them in a dry area with low humidity. Wait a few hours to ensure they are completely dry before using them.
- Extremely high or low temperatures can damage your AirPods – do not dry them by placing them on a heater or using a blow dryer.
Use a few silica gel packets or other desiccants.
Silica gel packets, typically included with electronics or vitamins, can be very helpful for drying your AirPods. If you think your AirPods are still wet, desiccants like silica gel will be your lifesaver. If you don’t have these packets, you can find them at craft stores or sometimes electronics stores.
- If you can’t use silica gel packets, try using crystal cat litter – it’s also silica, or use odorless desiccant beads like DampRid.
- Contrary to popular belief, rice does not work to absorb moisture from electronics.
Place your AirPods and desiccant in a sealed container.
A clean plastic bag or food storage container works well for this purpose. The silica gel packets will absorb the moisture from your AirPods. Leave the AirPods in the container with the desiccant for 24 to 48 hours before trying to use them.
- The longer your AirPods are left in the sealed container with desiccant, the higher the chances of saving them.
If your AirPods have been exposed to water, it's best to replace them.
Try using your AirPods once they are fully dry. If the sound seems muffled or too loud, you’ll need to continue drying them. Give them another one or two days to dry thoroughly and test again. If the AirPods still don’t function properly, consider taking them to an Apple-authorized service provider for repair or replacement.
- Visit https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF32003&category_id=SC0285 for AirPods repair or replacement services.
- If you have AppleCare+, you can replace damaged AirPods for a low service fee. Repair costs can be high if the warranty has expired.
