We all know that water and electronics don’t mix. So what do you do if your AirPods fall in the sink or toilet? Is Will putting them in rice help fix any water damage?
AirPods are not waterproof, so if they come into contact with water, there is a good chance that they will become damaged.
If you do a quick search for how to repair your wet AirPods, the majority of the answers will recommend putting them in rice.
Unfortunately, this approach is just as ineffective as air-drying your AirPods (sorry about the pun). The rice technique is simply a hoax, and it should be completely debunked.
However, you should know how to dry them safely and perhaps how to keep them from getting wet in the future. Continue reading to learn more.
Table of Contents
Water-Resistant vs. Waterproof
A common misconception is that water-resistant means waterproof. This is not the case. Water-resistant devices are able to withstand splashes of liquid, but they will still break if dropped in water or submerged for long periods of time.
Waterproof devices can be submerged without breaking and can work even after being exposed to liquids like salt water, fresh water, coffee, wine, etc.
However, in order to measure water-resistant, you need to understand its IP rating. The International Protection Rating, or IP rating, is a system used to classify the degrees of protection an object has against solid objects and liquids.
The rating consists of two numbers: the first number indicates the degree of protection against solid objects, while the second number indicates the degree of protection.
Although The AirPods are not waterproof, the AirPods Pro has an IPX4 water-resistance rating. Unfortunately, this is a rather low score; it implies that Apple intended the AirPods Pro to resist only small amounts of water such as rain or perspiration.
Is My AirPods Water Resistant?
Although AirPods aren’t waterproof, only the AirPods Pro are water-resistant. Even though you should avoid intentionally getting AirPsPro wet, they should survive a sprinkling or two but cannot survive for a longer duration in the water.
The first-generation AirPods or AirPods (second generation) aren’t water-resistant or waterproof at all, so don’t ever let them get wet.
As for the charging case, it is also not water-resistant.
What Can I Do With Water-Resistant AirPods Pro?
Although your AirPods Pro is water-resistant, you should not intentionally expose them to water. Even a modest amount of water might cause the seals to fail in time, and harm your valuable device.
Even if your AirPods or AirPods Pro are water-resistant, you can’t do the following things because a lot of people ask:
- Do not swim with AirPods.
- Do not shower with AirPods.
- Do not wear AirPods in heavy rain.
- Do not use AirPods while doing water sports.
- Do not let AirPods go in the washing machine.
- Do not take AirPods into a sauna or steam room.
In light rain, your AirPods Pro should be fine. However, before returning them to the case, ensure that they are fully dry.
How Much Water Can AirPods Take?
The AirPods are a great way to listen to your music while you’re working out, but how much water can they actually take?
Apple’s website says that the AirPods are resistant to “splashes and spills.” This means that if you accidentally drop them in some water, they should still work. However, if you submerge them in water, they’re going to die.
So, if you’re just listening to your music in the rain or during a light sprinkle, your AirPods should be fine.
But, if you’re planning on swimming with them or taking them surfing, you might want to invest in a different pair of headphones.
How About My AirPods’ Warranty?
Apple’s AirPods come with a one-year warranty, and they’re not exactly cheap.
If you’re the type of person who likes to keep your things in good condition, then you might be wondering if there’s a way to extend that warranty.
The answer is yes! Apple offers a two-year extended warranty for AirPods, and it’s called the AppleCare+ plan.
This plan costs $14 per month, and it gives you two years of coverage for both your AirPods and the charging case.
If something happens to your AirPods or charging case during that two-year period, Apple will repair or replace them.
You also get 24/seven support from Apple’s experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll be taken care of if something goes wrong.
Special Attention Towards Your Airpods:
There’s no doubt that AirPods are one of the most popular Apple products ever released.
And with good reason: they offer a great listening experience, they’re super portable, and they’re really easy to use.
But even the best products can benefit from a little bit of extra care and attention.
Here are a few tips for making sure your AirPods stay in good shape for as long as possible:
In The Use:
To make your AirPods last longer, take care of them. They will last longer if you use them correctly.
Here are a few tips on how to use them with care:
- Make sure that the AirPods are properly inserted in your ears. The audio will not sound good if they are not properly inserted.
- Keep the AirPods in a safe place when you are not using them.
- Avoid dropping or mishandling the AirPods as they are not too durable.
- It’s also essential not to expose your AirPods to extreme heat or liquids because this might cause damage to their components.
- As you wear your AirPods, consider placing foam tips on them to keep dirt and moisture out.
Clean the AirPods On Daily Basis:
- You can Clean your AirPods by using a toothbrush or a q-tip.
- Firstly, Dip the toothbrush or q-tip in soapy water,
- And then use it to clean the grime and dirt off the surface of the AirPods.
- You can also use a little bit of isopropyl alcohol to get rid of any bacteria or fungus on the surface of the AirPods.
Keep the Airpods Safe and Sound
Keep the Airpods safe and sound with this handy carrying case. The carrying case is made of hard shell material and is durable. It has a shock-absorbent design that will protect your Airpods against everyday wear and tear.
So, When you’re not using your AirPods, store them in the case so they don’t get scratched or damaged. It’s a good idea to place your AirPods into their case after each usage.
What Happens When AirPods Get Wet?
This is difficult to answer because there is no such thing as a universal solution. The condition of your AirPods will be determined by the amount of water that got in them.
Perhaps you were out walking or jogging and it began to rain. The degree of the rainfall would affect the state of your AirPods.
However, if you drop them in the pool or wash them with your clothes, this is not the case. If they are immersed in water for an extended period of time, they are likely to be damaged.
There are reports of AirPods surviving a dip in the pool or a spin in the washing machine, so there’s still some hope.
Water, alcoholic beverages, and most medications can also harm your AirPods in a variety of ways.
Lotions or solvents may damage the waterproof seal, soda leaves a sticky residue that blocks the mesh, coffee stains the outside, and seawater leaves salt residue after it dries.
What to Do When Your AirPods Get Wet
If you have a pair of AirPods and they accidentally get wet, there are some steps that you can take to try to fix them:
Don’t go crazy. Keep in mind that you have about an hour before the AirPods completely lose power. So do as I say.
Remove them from the water as soon as possible:
Take your AirPods out of the pool, washing machine, or rain as soon as possible after discovering the problem. For the moisture to evaporate, set them on a dry surface or a lint-free cloth.
However, don’t wait for the damp to evaporate on its own. Immediately move on to Step 2.
Wipe your AirPods with a soft cloth:
Wipe your AirPods with a clean, lint-free cloth. A micro-fiber cloth is an ideal option. If not, any cotton fabric will suffice as long as it isn’t fuzzy.
If water got inside your AirPods’ tiny components, such as the charging case or the wireless chip, use dry cotton swabs to gently tap on them.
Allow them to dry:
Leave your AirPods to dry after thoroughly cleaning them in a well-ventilated, cool place. The ideal locations to put your AirPods are clean, dry places with mild ventilation.
Allow your AirPods to air-dry for at least three hours. During that time, don’t use or turn them on. If you can leave your AirPods to dry over the night or two, that would be ideal.
Rice is not the way to go, regardless of what others may say. This isn’t any more successful than air-drying. Furthermore, rice fragments might find their way into your AirPods’ tiny apertures and ports. Rice has also been linked to corrosion inside your AirPods, according to some researchers.
You should never try to speed up the drying process by utilizing a blow dryer or putting your AirPods on a radiator. Overheating your AirPods is the result of doing so. Remember, patience is key in this case.
Conclusion: Parting Tips
Here are some easy ways to keep your AirPods safe from water damage:
- Do not leave your AirPods on a wet surface.
- Before tossing your clothes in the washer, double-check the pockets.
- Powders, beverages, and other chemicals should not be placed near your AirPods.
- Do not use your AirPods while bathing or swimming.
- When it starts raining, keep your AirPods in your bag or pocket as soon as possible.
- When not in use, store your AirPods inside the case.
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Kevin is a Tech journalist for over a decade. He writes on Wearables, Headphones, and Laptops. When he is not glued to his laptop, You will find him working on exciting projects that include Unboxing new Gadgets, comparing them, and tweaking their hardware.