Keep in mind that Apple’s AirPods are water-resistant and not waterproof. They have an IPX4 rating. It means they can handle a little splash of water or sweat.
But it becomes a big problem if they get fully dipped in water. However, if you act fast, there are ways to fix this as well.
When I used to work in a pool, I had multiple instances where my AirPods suffered from light water contact to being fully submerged in water. But for the next quick actions I took, I was able to save them every time and can still use them to this day.
In this article, I’ve explained how to remove water from AirPods and avoid water damage.
Let’s keep ‘em dry.
Are AirPods Waterproof?
No, AirPods are not waterproof. In fact, none of the Apple earphones are waterproof. Being waterproof means that all the internal components are saved from water even if they are entirely submerged. In a waterproof device, all the headphone jack, and charging ports are covered with rubber.
Although the AirPods are not waterproof, the 3rd generation AirPods and AirPods Pro are however water-resistant. They have an IP rating of IPX4.
That means they can withstand water splashes from all directions for over 10 minutes and resist sweat after a hard day of workouts. You can just dry them off.
But keep in mind that the ability to resist water decreases with time, and you should always try to keep the AirPods dry.
Also, check out our separate post on Airpods Not Working with Microsoft Teams.
How to Remove Water from AirPods?
In case your AirPods fall into a body of water, the first thing you should do is to dry them properly using a microfiber cloth. If you think the AirPods are still wet, you can use the Water Eject Shortcut. Then keep the AirPods in a container with desiccant.
Here are steps to completely remove water from AirPods:
1. Wipe the AirPods with lint-free cloths
Keep calm and use a clean, dry, lint-free microfiber to wipe the AirPods gently. You can also use a cotton swab to dry them. 
If the charging case also gets wet, wipe them completely with a lint-free cloth and keep it upside down. Be thorough, and don’t miss any corners.
Also, check out our separate post on AirPods not working on Netflix.
2. Use Water Eject Shortcut
The Water Eject Shortcut is a helpful app that lets you play a sound with a specific frequency using iOS on your AirPods. It vibrates the AirPods, and excess water comes out of it.
Unfortunately, the app is not in the App Store, and you need to allow untrusted shortcuts to use it.
Here’s how to get Water Eject Shortcut on iOS:
- Go to Settings > Shortcuts > enable Private Sharing.
- Open Water Eject.
- Select Get Shortcut and tap Add Shortcut.
- Choose the shortcut from My Shortcuts and tap Begin Water Ejection.
After these steps, you should see water trickling down your AirPods. Repeat the process several times until no more water is left inside the AirPods.
Follow our guide to fixing Airpods Not Working in Zoom on Mac.
3. Keep AirPods with Desiccant
Put the AirPods in a container and cover them with desiccant for at least a day or two. You can use silica gel packets on all sides of the AirPods. Don’t use a small jar because the bigger the surface area, the better water will be absorbed. 
Don’t put the AirPods in rice because rice particles can get inside the AirPods and cause more damage.
Check our separate post on how you Can AirPods Connect To Oculus Quest 2.
What Not to Do When Removing Water from AirPods
When you drop your AirPods in water, in a state of panic, you might be tempted to do things that might do more harm than good; such as putting the wet AirPods in a rice jar, using a hairdryer to dry them, shaking the AirPods too much and keeping them in direct sunlight.
Here’s what you should avoid when drying the AirPods:
1. Don’t Turn on the AirPods
Don’t turn on the AirPods or put them in their case and plug it in without properly drying them first. Because if water is still in the AirPods, it might short circuit the components when you turn them on and cause permanent damage.
2. Don’t Use Rice as Absorbent
Don’t put your wet AirPods in a jar of rice as it is not a good absorbent. Furthermore, rice particles could get in the AirPods, which is harder to get rid of and cause more damage. 
3. Don’t Use a Hair Dryer
Don’t use a hair or a blow dryer to dry the AirPods. Because AirPods internal components are sensitive to heat and excessive heat from a blow dryer can melt its components. Then the AirPods can never be recovered.
Also, don’t keep the AirPods in direct sunlight or a cold place.
4. Don’t Shake the AirPods too Much
If you shake the AirPods a lot to get the water out, water might get too deep inside the AirPods. So, don’t shake your AirPods.
It is essential that you don’t do these things as it will worsen the issue at hand.
Also, check out our separate post on Airpods Not Working in Zoom on Mac.
How to Avoid Water Damage to AirPods
AirPods are small; their internal components are sensitive. A slight environmental change like an increase in moisture or an increase or decrease in the temperature can cause problems. But that doesn’t mean we can’t use them. We just have to be extra careful when taking care of them.
Here’s how to avoid water damage to your AirPods:
- Try not to use AirPods near pools, sinks, or any other body of water.
- Keep the AirPods in their case when you are not using them to save them from moisture. Also, put the AirPods case in another waterproof case.
- Clean the AirPods using microfiber before putting them in their case. You don’t have to use any chemical or anti-bacterial cleaner.
- Try not to wear the AirPods in high humidity places like saunas or steam rooms.
- Keep AirPods away from soaps, cosmetics, oil, or perfume.
Avoid the described places and wipe the AirPods regularly; you don’t have to worry about water damaging your AirPods.
Does Apple Warranty Cover Water Damage for AirPods?
Apple provides a 1-year warranty for AirPods, but unfortunately, water or any kind of liquid damage does not fall under this warranty because there’s no way for someone to determine whether the damage was caused by water or any other misuse.
The standard warranty only covers the problems that are caused by Apple themselves or the retailers. If you wish to extend your warranty period along with other facilities, you should get AppleCare+. It will increase your warranty from 1 year to 2 years from the date you have bought the AirPods.
AppleCare+ also provides up to 2 incidences of damage protection caused accidentally every 12 months. With AppleCare+, you will still need to pay for water damages, But the payment is reduced.
Final Thoughts
The AirPods are a fantastic piece of technology. But they are small and delicate. And water is one of the most common culprits that can permanently destroy your AirPods.
However, if you do what I’ve described in this article, you can completely recover your AirPods even if it was fully submerged in water. I’ve also shown how to properly take care of the AirPods so they may live a long life.
Let me know if you’ve any other questions regarding AirPods or other Apple products. See you in the comment section.
