“Blop.”
That’s the sound my AirPods made when I accidentally dropped them in the toilet.
But it’s a good thing I saved them.
Not just with drying techniques.
But also with one simple app on my phone.
Don’t worry. I’ll show you how step-by-step.
Keep reading to find out:
- 3 fixes you can do when your AirPods get wet.
- One simple mistake that can cost your AirPods device.
- What you shouldn’t do when you’re trying to save wet AirPods.
- And so much more…
Do AirPods have a water damage indicator?
AirPods don’t have a water damage indicator. There’s only one way to tell how much damage there is. Check your AirPods by connecting them to your iPhone after drying them for at least 24 hours. If your AirPods don’t connect or you hear an audio distortion, it means they’ll likely have water damage.
What to do if AirPods get wet? 3 fixes
Don’t worry.
It’s not game over yet.
There are still 3 fixes to save your AirPods, starting with…
#1: Use a microfiber towel to dry out your AirPods
Why use a microfiber towel?
There are 2 reasons why you should:
- It prevents any water from seeping into your speakers or earbuds.
- A microfiber towel isn’t abrasive, so it won’t damage your AirPods device and case.
Make sure your AirPods are completely dry on the surface.
Then, leave them to dry on top of the towel overnight.
Note: Your AirPods’ earbuds should be facing down on top of the towel. This’ll allow the water to slowly seep out of the earbuds.
If your AirPods case also got wet, you’ll need a Q-tip to reach into the charging port.
- Flip your AirPods case open.
- Insert the Q-tip in your case’s hole.
- Do this for each side (for your left and right AirPod).
- Turn your AirPods case upside down.
- Let it dry overnight.
#2: Download the app “Shortcuts” to eject water out of your AirPod’s earbuds
On your iPhone, you can use an app called “Shortcuts” to eject water out of your AirPods.
This one app saved my AirPods’ life.
Here’s how to get it:
- On your iPhone, go to the App Store.
- Download the Shortcuts app.
- Set up the app on your iPhone.
- Get the water eject shortcut.
How does the water eject shortcut work?
When you tap “Begin water eject” on the Shortcuts app, you should feel your AirPods vibrating.
This vibration comes from the sound waves produced by the water eject function in the app.
As a result, the vibrations push or force water out of your AirPods’ earbuds.
Once you have the app on your iPhone, here’s what you should do next:
Step 1: In the Shortcuts app, go to your Library.
In your Library, you should see “Water Eject” at the bottom.
Step 2: Tap “Water Eject.”
A menu should appear saying, “Begin Water Ejection.”
Note: Before you tap it, make sure your AirPods are connected to your iPhone.
Step 3: Hold the sensors of your AirPods.
You should see a round hole on the left side of your AirPod.
There should also be 2 holes on the right side of your AirPod.
In total, you should cover 3 holes on each AirPod.
Tip: You can use your thumb and middle finger for this.
Cover these holes before tapping “Begin Water Ejection.”
Step 4: Tap “Begin Water Ejection.”
You’ll start to notice water flushing out of your AirPods’ earbuds.
Now, take note.
You can repeat this process as many times as you like.
If you want to do it 3 or 5 times more, go ahead.
Feel free to also use this video as a quick help:
#3: Place your AirPods in a container with desiccants
What are desiccants?
Another term for “desiccant” that you might’ve heard before is silica gel packets.
These are the same silica gel packets you see in a shoebox or vitamin bottle.
They also have the label “Do Not Eat.”
If you have several silica gel packets, here’s what you wanna do:
- Get any container.
- Place your AirPods in the container.
- Dump the silica gel packets around your AirPods.
- Leave them to dry overnight.
What NOT to do if your AirPods get wet
Now, you might have heard that…
- You can use rice to dry out AirPods.
- A hand dryer will dry your AirPods faster.
- It’s safe to put your AirPods back in their case right after they’re dry.
These are all dangerous practices that might cause even more damage to your AirPods.
Why is that?
Let’s go over each mistake one by one.
Mistake #1: Using a hairdryer or heat source to dry out your AirPods
Hairdryers don’t just produce packets of air.
It also produces heat, which is dangerous for your AirPods.
How hot exactly?
Hairdryers produce heat at temperatures between 80°F to 140°F (26°C to 60°C).
When you expose any Apple device to temperatures of 95°F (35°C) and above, it damages the battery.
In fact, there’s an ideal operating temperature for all Apple devices, according to Apple.
Apple mentions that your Apple device should be kept within 60°F to 71.6°F (16°C to 22°C).
Hairdryers might seem faster at removing water from your AirPods.
But it’s not worth the risk of potentially damaging your AirPods.
Editor’s pick: How Many Years Do AirPods Last? 5 Vital Tips
Mistake #2: Immediately placing your AirPods back in their case
AirPods are fragile enough.
But your AirPods case is even more fragile.
Not to mention, your case isn’t water-resistant.
Placing your AirPods back in their case means blocking off any airflow.
And without any airflow, the water has no way to escape.
If water manages to seep into the charging port, it’d become a nightmare of charging issues.
Read also: (5 Fixes) Left AirPod Not Charging
Even if your Airpods survive after placing them immediately into your case, that’s not the worst case.
You might run into problems in the future, like your AirPods dying faster all of a sudden.
Ultimately, it’s not worth taking a huge risk on your AirPods’ current condition.
Mistake #3: Not leaving your AirPods to dry out for at least 24 hours
After wiping your AirPods with a cloth, you should still give it some time to air dry for at least a day.
Why?
Because there’s no guarantee all the water flushed out.
As mentioned earlier, one of the best ways to remove water from your AirPods is through sound.
Not just any sound, but a specific sound you can access through an app.
Due to the vibrations, it’s able to force water out of your AirPods’ earbuds.
Meaning, there’s bound to be a small amount of water you can’t get out simply by using a towel.
This is why your AirPods should be turned upside down when letting them dry.
A face-down position ensures you’re getting every inch of water out of your AirPods’ earbuds.
Apart from using sound to flush out the water, 24 hours is a good timeframe to ensure you’re forcing all the water out.
Mistake #4: Using rice the wrong way to dry out your AirPods
Using rice to dry out AirPods seems like common sense.
And you’re not wrong because rice can absorb moisture or water.
However…
There are small rice grains that may get inside your AirPods.
The chances aren’t highly likely, but it’s still possible.
So why take a chance on the possibility of damaging your AirPods, right?
Instead, wrap your AirPods with a paper towel before surrounding them with rice grains.
Alternatively, you can cut a small piece of paper towel that’s enough to cover your AirPods’ holes.
Then, cover them with a layer of rice and wait for 1 to 2 days.
People also ask:
Can AirPods get wet and still work?
If your AirPods got wet, there’s still a good chance they’ll work.
Time is of the essence.
You should immediately dry off your AirPods with a microfiber towel.
This way, you prevent any water from seeping into the holes and ports of your AirPods device.
After, use the Shortcuts app on the App Store as mentioned earlier in this guide.
Finally, let your AirPods dry overnight. Make sure they’re facing down too.
Another great way of letting your AirPods dry overnight is to use silica gel packets:
- Grab a Pyrex container or any container in your home.
- Turn your Airpods upside down (Your earbuds should be faced down).
- Place silica gel packets around your AirPods and let them dry for 24 hours.
You might also like: Can You Wear AirPods In The Rain? 3 Important Tips
When should I stop drying my AirPods?
If your AirPods still don’t connect or produce no sound after a couple of days, it’s time for a replacement.
Damaged AirPods have different replacement costs depending on which AirPods you have.
For 1st-gen, 2nd-gen, and 3rd-gen AirPods, the cost for each AirPod is $69.
If you have an AirPods Pro, it costs $89 for each AirPod.
Replacement costs are pretty expensive, right?
You’re looking at about $138 to $178 worth of expenses.
So, what’s the better option?
When your AirPods are past saving, it’s better to buy a brand new pair rather than pay for a replacement.
What happens if AirPods fall in water?
When AirPods fall in the water, there could be water damage if you don’t dry them ASAP.
Standard AirPods (1st-gen and 2nd-gen) and AirPods Max don’t have water resistance.
AirPods Pro and 3rd-gen AirPods, on the other hand, have IPX4 water resistance.
That means they’ll survive if water splashes from any direction, including sweat.
However, water-resistant seals degrade over time.
Meaning, the longer you’ve had your AirPods, the less water-resistant they become.