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AirPods Water Eject: How to Get Water Out of AirPods

Wet AirPods sound muffled and crackly. Connect them, put them in a cup or hold them speaker-down, and play the water eject tone below. Then follow the drying steps.

Tap to start · set volume to maximum and point the speaker down

Active frequency · 165 Hz
Master volume 80%

Also raise your device media volume — acoustic displacement needs amplitude.

Output level simulator 0 dB

Estimated sound pressure at the speaker grille. Stay under ~100 dB and keep the phone away from your ear while cleaning.

How to get water out of AirPods

  1. Take them out of the water and dry the outside with a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not put them back in the case while wet.
  2. Shake each AirPod gently with the speaker mesh facing down.
  3. Connect the AirPods to your iPhone, iPad or Mac and set the volume to around 60–70%.
  4. Hold the AirPods (or place them in an empty cup) with the mesh facing down and play Water Eject above. Run it 2–3 times.
  5. Let them air-dry with the mesh facing down for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, before charging or putting them in the case.

Can you really eject water from AirPods with sound?

Yes, partially. AirPods drivers are tiny, so they move less air than a phone speaker, but the low-frequency pulses still help push droplets off the mesh. Combine the sound with gravity (mesh down) and time to dry. Do not play the tone at full volume while the AirPods are in your ears.

Are AirPods waterproof?

No. Apple rates AirPods as sweat- and water-resistant, not waterproof:

  • AirPods 1 and 2, AirPods Max: no rating.
  • AirPods 3, AirPods Pro (1st gen), AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning): IPX4 — sweat and splashes.
  • AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C): IP54 — dust, sweat and splashes, including the case.
  • AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 5: IP57 — survive accidental submersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes, case included.

Even the IP57 models are not designed for swimming or showering. AirPods Pro 1 cases have no rating at all. Full breakdown: are AirPods waterproof?

Wet AirPods case?

  • Open the lid, turn it upside down and let it drain.
  • Dry with a lint-free cloth and leave it open in a dry place with airflow.
  • Do not charge the case until it is completely dry — at least several hours.

AirPods dry but still quiet, or one bud louder? See why are my AirPods so quiet.

What not to do

  • No rice, hair dryers, ovens or radiators.
  • No cotton swabs or pins pushed into the mesh.
  • Don’t charge or reconnect them repeatedly while wet.

After drying: test and clean

Use the headphone test to check both buds play evenly. If one is quieter, it may be wax rather than water — follow how to clean AirPods safely.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get water out of my AirPods?

Dry the outside, shake them mesh-down, play the water eject sound 2–3 times with the mesh facing down, then let them dry for several hours before charging.

Is there an AirPods water eject shortcut?

Some iPhone Shortcuts play a tone through AirPods, but this page does the same thing in your browser without installing anything.

Can AirPods survive the washing machine?

Sometimes, but water and detergent often damage the battery or drivers. Dry them for 24–48 hours before charging. If they crackle or will not charge, contact Apple.

Are AirPods Pro waterproof?

No. Older AirPods Pro are IPX4 or IP54 and AirPods Pro 3 are IP57. That covers sweat, splashes and brief accidental dunks, not swimming.

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Still need help?

hassan@zavify.co.uk