Are AirPods Waterproof?
No, AirPods aren't waterproof. Some models resist sweat and splashes, but none are made for swimming, showering or rinsing under a tap. Treat any AirPods that went into water as wet inside.
What Should You Do Right After AirPods Get Wet?
Right after AirPods get wet, take them out of your ears, dry the outside, and keep them out of the charging case until they're fully dry.
- Take the AirPods out of your ears.
- Wipe each one with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
- Keep them out of the charging case. Putting wet AirPods in the case can damage the case's charging contacts.
- Don't charge them or the case while either is wet.
- Leave them in a dry place with moving air until they're completely dry.
If the case got wet too, open the lid, wipe it with a lint-free cloth, and let it air-dry with the lid open.
Can You Use a Speaker Cleaner on AirPods?
Yes, you can use a speaker cleaner on AirPods once they're connected, as long as you hold them out of your ears.
- Connect the AirPods to your phone.
- Cover the in-ear sensor on each AirPod with a fingertip, or the audio won't play through it.
- Hold each AirPod with the speaker mesh facing down, away from your ear.
- Set a moderate volume and press Start.
Earbud speaker cleaner
Ready. Turn the volume up, remove the case and place the speaker facing down.
Run up to 3 cycles, then test the sound.
The Earpiece mode plays a gentler tone that suits small earbud speakers. The main speaker cleaner has the stronger Water Eject mode for phone speakers.
Should You Put AirPods in Rice?
No, you shouldn't put AirPods in rice. Rice grains and dust can lodge in the charging case port and the speaker mesh, and rice doesn't dry them faster than moving air. The same advice applies to phones; see why Apple warns against putting a wet phone in rice.
Which AirPods Are Water-Resistant?
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with the USB-C case are rated IP54, which covers sweat and splashes, not immersion. The original AirPods (1st and 2nd generation) and AirPods Max aren't water-resistant.
| Model | Rating |
|---|---|
| AirPods (1st and 2nd generation) | Not water-resistant |
| AirPods Max | Not water-resistant |
| AirPods Pro (2nd generation), USB-C case | IP54 |
Apple lists the rating for every current model on its AirPods specifications pages. For what IP numbers mean, see IP68 vs IP67.
Does Apple's Warranty Cover Water-Damaged AirPods?
No, Apple's standard warranty doesn't cover water-damaged AirPods. AppleCare+ for headphones covers accidental damage for a service fee. Check your plan's terms before you book a repair.
What If Your AirPods Still Sound Quiet After Drying?
If your AirPods still sound quiet after drying, the mesh may be blocked or the AirPods may need a reset.
- Clean the mesh. Earwax builds up on the speaker mesh. Brush it gently with a soft, dry brush.
- Reset the AirPods. Put them in the case, then reset them from the case or your phone's Bluetooth settings.
- Check the balance setting. A left/right balance setting on your phone can make one AirPod quieter.
- Run the speaker test to compare left and right.
For other wet audio gear, see how to get water out of a Bluetooth speaker. If both AirPods stay quiet or silent, contact Apple Support.