Are AirPods Waterproof? Here’s The Truth!

You want to work out with your AirPods, but you're worried that your sweat may cause water damage. Furthermore, you may not be sure whether or not AirPods are water-resistant In this article, I'll answer the question “Are AirPods Waterproof?” and explain what to do if your AirPods get wet.

Are AirPods Waterproof?

No, Apple AirPods are not waterproof. In fact, AirPods and their charging case don't even have an IP rating, which is used to grade a device's dust-resistance and water-resistance. However, since their design is similar to that of Apple EarPods, they may be slightly water resistant, even though they are not designed to be.

Still, there is hope for the future of AirPods. The original iPhones weren't waterproof either, but that's no longer the case. The iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X, and XR have all received a rating of IP67, meaning they are water-resistant up to one meter in depth. The iPhone XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max are rated IP68, making them water-resistant for up to 30 minutes when submerged at a depth of 2–4 meters.

AirPods Waterproof Covers

Even though the AirPods and charging case aren't waterproof, there are a few cases you can get for your AirPods charging case that are waterproof. The company Catalyst has created a series of waterproof covers for your AirPods charging cases.

AirPods waterproof cases by Catalyst have an IP67 rating, the same rating as Apple's water-resistant iPhones. These cases also have a keychain clip and a retractable cover over the Lightning port on your AirPods charging case. These cases come in black, gray, blue, purple, white, and glow-in-the-dark green!

What To Do If Your AirPods Get Wet

If your AirPods get wet, begin to dry them off by wiping them with a microfiber cloth. Then, place your AirPods in a ziplock bag with desiccants — the little freshness packets you'll find in vitamin bottles and other packages.

As a general rule of thumb, leave them in the ziplock bag with desiccants overnight and try to use again in the morning — but you may need to charge them first!

Whatever you do, do not put wet AirPods inside the charging case. Doing so may cause further damage to your AirPods and possibly even your charging case.

Signs Of Water Damaged AirPods

One of the biggest signs of water damaged AirPods is distorted audio. If your music, podcasts, or audiobooks sound muffled or scratchy, this may be a sign that your AirPods are water damaged.

If your AirPods won't charge or work at all after they got wet, this may be another sign that your AirPods have water damage. If enough water gets into the grates of your AirPods, it can permanently affect their functionality.

Repair And Replacement Options

Currently, Apple does not offer an AppleCare plan for AirPods. However, if your AirPods are under warranty, there's no charge to have them replaced if they malfunction due to a “defective battery”.

Unlike iPhones, AirPods don't have liquid contact indicator, so there's no way for an Apple Tech to know if they are water damaged. So when you go to your Genius Bar appointment, you may want to leave that information out. Apple may not cover the replacement cost if they know the AirPods are water damaged.

If your AirPods are not under warranty, it costs $69 to repair or replace an individual AirPod, as well as another $69 if you need to have the charging case repaired or replace. So, if you happen to damage both AirPods and your charging case, it'll be cheaper for you to buy an entirely new pair.

Keeping your AirPods dry and clean are essentially to their long-term functionality, so make sure to read up on the best way to clean your AirPods.

AirPods: Keep ‘Em Dry!

We hope this article helped clear up any questions and misconceptions you had about AirPods and their functionality. Next time your friend asks, “Hey, are AirPods waterproof?” you'll know exactly what to tell them!