Dropped Your AirPods in Water? Here's How to Save Them

Ker-plunk. That’s a sound you never want to associate with your precious AirPods. And, with all the swimming and water frolicking that’s sure to happen this summer, there’s never been a better opportunity for your AirPods to take an unwanted dip. If you’re here, however, it means that your AirPods are now wet, plain and simple. What should you do if your AirPods just got wet? We have the answers to bring your AirPods back to life.

Here are a few tips to help if you’ve dropped your AirPods in water. To best prevent damage, try following these steps one at a time, as the least invasive and involved steps just might be enough to save your AirPods.

How to Save AirPods from Water Damage

That heart-stopping moment of dropping your AirPods into water doesn’t have to end in tragedy and another expensive charge on your card. Let’s take a look at just a few ways that you can try to salvage your AirPods from water damage.

Method 1: Use a Dry Cloth and Tip Them Upside Down

You’ve dropped your AirPods in water, and they’re now drenched. Luckily, Apple’s own recommendation for maintenance may just solve the problem. Before even attempting to connect them to your phone or use them, simply dry them thoroughly with a microfiber cloth and let them sit upside down to air out.

The same practice should go for the charging case. If, after a few minutes of drying time, your AirPods seem dry, go ahead and try to use them. If they still don’t work, don’t lose hope yet. There are a couple more advanced techniques that just might work to revive those soaked AirPods.

Bonus tip: After you’ve dropped your AirPods in water, do not put them back in the charging case. The enclosed space will not allow the AirPods to dry properly, and any water that leaks out of the AirPods is likely to damage the charging case. It’s a lose-lose situation. Only put your AirPods back in their case when you’re sure they’re completely dry.

Method 2: Desiccant Packets

If it seems like your AirPods are still harboring some lingering moisture, grab a container and some desiccant packets. Those are the little paper packets that say “do not eat!” that often come in shoes, electronics, and other product packaging. The beads inside these packets soak up moisture. Dump a few packets into the container with your wet AirPods and seal it up for a couple of hours. This will hopefully pull any remaining moisture out of the AirPods, making them dry and operable again.

Once dry, try to connect your AirPods to your iPhone. Remember to listen to them first-thing. Even though they connect, the audio quality could be permanently distorted.

You might be tempted to try the old dry rice trick, which can be useful for drying wet phones (If you don’t know: submerging your phone in a container of uncooked rice will soak up all the moisture over a few hours or so). However, we don’t recommend trying this with AirPods. The little rice grains and particles can end up lodged inside the AirPods, which does more harm than good. Instead, continue to Method 3 if this method does not work.

Method 3: Get Your AirPods Replaced

In the event your AirPods got wet and are permanently damaged, there’s still hope for you beyond buying brand-new retail models. Apple does offer a warranty program for AirPods. If you have AppleCare+, the charge is downright affordable. Out-of-warranty fees jump a little higher, but both instances offer a better deal than brand-new AirPods. Your specific situation is likely addressed on Apple’s official AirPods Repair page.

Are AirPods Waterproof?

If you’re wondering if your AirPods are waterproof, the answer is a little more complicated than an easy yes or no. Really, the question has more to do with the term water resistance.

First, determine which model of AirPods you own. First Generation AirPods, Second Generation AirPods, and AirPods Max (the over-ear ones) feature no waterproofing or water resistance, so keep them away from the wet stuff at all costs. That doesn’t bode well for those who like to exercise with AirPods in, as sweat can easily slip into openings. You’ll have to determine for yourself if it’s worth the risk. Some seem to be able to exercise with no ill effects, but sweat has been known to damage AirPods. All those open audio holes and ports are not conducive to water, especially if you’ve dropped your AirPods in water.

Thankfully, the newer, more advanced AirPods Pro model does feature water resistance. Keep in mind that this is different from being waterproof. You don’t have to worry much about a little sweat or water beading up on your AirPods Pro but give them a good wipe down with a microfiber cloth after a workout. Under no circumstances should they ever be submerged or doused in water. That means no swimming or showering with AirPods in.

Your best bet is to keep your AirPods, no matter the model, as dry as possible at all times. As of today, none of the AirPods charging cases are water resistant at all, so keep those dry as well.

There are ways to give any model of AirPods case a boost in the water resistance department. Try some of our own AirPods case kits, like our Retro AirPods Case, to add some much-needed water resistance to the charging case. This will give you a leg up on watery days, but be careful when you take those AirPods out!

Consider Additional Protection with SaharaCase

So, you’ve read our tips, learned a little about water resistance, and now you’re ready to try reviving your drowned AirPods. All we can say is good luck! If you’ve dropped your AirPods in water, don’t lose hope! Be sure to stop by our store for cases designed exclusively for AirPods, AirPods 2, and AirPods Pro to give your charging case a boost in water resistance. We also offer a healthy supply of other handy AirPods accessories. Stay dry and keep those tunes flowing with SaharaCase!