It happens in a heartbeat. You’re leaning over the sink, or maybe a sudden downpour catches you mid-run, and suddenly there’s that sickening plop. One of your AirPods is submerged. Or maybe you just pulled a pair of jeans out of the washing machine only to realize your MagSafe case was still in the pocket. Panic sets in immediately because these little white stems aren't exactly cheap to replace.
First thing: breathe.
Unless you’ve stepped on them while they were wet or left them at the bottom of a pool for three days, there is a very high statistical probability you can save them. But you have to stop what you're doing right now. If you're currently wearing them or trying to "test" if they still work by blasting music, stop. Power and water are enemies. Electricity flowing through wet circuits is what actually kills electronics, not the water itself.
The immediate "Save My AirPods" protocol
The very first step to get water out of AirPods is physical removal. Pick them up. Use a dry, lint-free cloth—microfiber is the gold standard here, like the kind you use for glasses—and wipe down the exterior thoroughly. If you don't have microfiber, a clean cotton t-shirt works in a pinch. Just avoid paper towels or toilet paper because they shed fibers that can get stuck in the fine acoustic mesh.
Shake them. Seriously.
Hold the AirPod firmly by the stem and give it a sharp downward flick, making sure the speaker mesh is facing toward the ground. You’ll likely see tiny droplets fly out. Do this several times. It’s a low-tech version of the "Water Lock" feature on the Apple Watch, using centrifugal force to clear the pathways.
Gravity is your best friend
Once you’ve shaken out the bulk of the moisture, lay them down on a flat surface. Positioning matters. You want the main speaker port (the big one that goes in your ear) facing downward. This allows any residual liquid trapped behind the grill to slowly migrate out via gravity.
Why the "Rice Trick" is actually a terrible idea
We need to address the giant, starchy elephant in the room. Everyone tells you to put wet electronics in a bowl of white rice. Don't do it. Rice is a myth that won't die. While rice is technically hygroscopic (it absorbs moisture), it’s not very efficient at pulling water out of closed systems like an AirPod. Worse, rice is dusty. Fine starch particles can mix with the water inside your AirPods to create a literal paste. This paste hardens inside the mesh, permanently muffling your sound quality or gunking up the charging contacts.
If you want a desiccant, use silica gel packets. You know, those little "Do Not Eat" bags that come in shoeboxes or beef jerky? They are significantly more effective at pulling moisture from the air than rice could ever hope to be. If you have a few of those lying around, toss them into a small sealed container with your AirPods. If you don't have them, just leave the AirPods out in an area with good airflow. A gentle breeze from an open window or a room fan is ten times more effective than a bowl of Uncle Ben’s.
Dealing with the charging case
The case is actually the bigger headache. While AirPods (3rd Gen, Pro 1st/2nd Gen) have some level of water resistance, the cases vary. The Pro 2 case has an IPX4 rating, meaning it can handle splashes, but it’s not waterproof.
If the case got wet:
- Open the lid and turn it upside down.
- Keep the lid open to allow for maximum evaporation.
- Do not plug it in. This is the most common way people fry their cases.
- Check the Lightning or USB-C port. If there’s water in there, don't use a Q-tip. The fibers get caught on the pins. Instead, use a can of compressed air if you have one, or just let it air dry for at least 24 hours.
Water Eject shortcuts and frequencies
You might have seen videos on TikTok or YouTube claiming a specific "sound" can get water out of AirPods. This is based on the Apple Watch's actual hardware feature. While AirPods don't have a built-in "eject" command, you can use third-party tools like the "Water Eject" Siri Shortcut or websites like FixMySpeakers.
These tools play a very low-frequency, pulsing tone. Basically, it makes the speaker diaphragm vibrate violently enough to push water droplets out of the mesh.
A word of caution: Only do this after you’ve wiped the exterior. If there is a massive amount of water inside, cranking the volume to 100% to "blast" it out can sometimes cause more stress on the driver than it's worth. Use it sparingly. If you hear a crackling sound, the water is still there.
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Understanding IPX ratings (What can they actually take?)
It helps to know what you’re up against. Apple uses the IP (Ingress Protection) rating system.
The original AirPods and the 2nd Generation AirPods have no official water resistance rating. If these get wet, they are at the highest risk. Treat them like they’re made of sugar.
The AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd Gen) are rated IPX4. Under the IEC standard 60529, this means they can withstand "water splashing from any direction." It does not mean they can be submerged. If yours fell into a pool or a toilet, you have technically exceeded their rated limit. You're now in "recovery mode" rather than "resistance mode."
The Apple Watch, by comparison, usually has an IPX7 or higher rating, which allows for actual swimming. Your AirPods are built for sweat and light rain. Nothing more.
What to do if they smell like laundry detergent or salt
Fresh water is one thing. Saltwater, pool chemicals, or laundry detergent are entirely different beasts.
Saltwater is incredibly corrosive. Once the water evaporates, the salt crystals remain, and they will eat through the internal circuitry in days. If you dropped your AirPods in the ocean, you actually need to clean them with fresh water first. It sounds counterintuitive, but you need to rinse away the salt. Use a slightly damp cloth with fresh water to wipe them down, or a very lightly dampened cotton swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Alcohol is a miracle for electronics because it displaces water and evaporates almost instantly. Just don't soak them in it, as it can weaken the adhesives that hold the mesh in place.
How long should you wait?
Patience is the hardest part. You’ll be tempted to check them after two hours. Don't.
Wait 24 to 48 hours.
Keep them in a dry spot with plenty of airflow. If you have a sunny windowsill, that’s fine, but don't let them get too hot. Excessive heat can damage the lithium-ion batteries. You want "room temperature dry," not "Arizona dashboard in July."
When to give up and call Apple
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the damage is done. You’ll know they’re toast if:
- The sound is permanently "tinny" or muffled.
- The microphone stops picking up your voice.
- They won't hold a charge or the case won't recognize them.
- You hear a high-pitched whistling (usually a sign of a short in the transparency/noise-canceling circuitry).
If you have AppleCare+, you’re in luck. Water damage is covered under "accidental damage," and you can usually get a replacement set for a small deductible (typically around $29). Without AppleCare+, out-of-warranty replacement fees for a single AirPod can be nearly $89.
Actionable steps for right now
If you’re reading this because your AirPods are currently dripping, here is your sequence:
- Dry the outside immediately with a lint-free cloth.
- Flick them downward to force water out of the speaker grills.
- Place them on a flat surface with the speakers facing down.
- Leave the case open and upside down.
- Wait 24 hours before putting the buds back in the case or trying to charge them.
- Check the sensors. If the "Automatic Ear Detection" is glitchy after they dry, wipe the black optical sensors with a dry Q-tip; sometimes a water film leaves a residue that confuses the sensor.
Don't use a hairdryer. The heat is too concentrated and can melt the delicate plastic internals or the glue holding the mesh. Just let air and time do the work. Most of the time, AirPods are surprisingly resilient little gadgets. Give them the chance to dry out properly, and they’ll likely be fine for your next workout.