Are AirPods Pro Waterproof & Can You Wear Them In The Shower?

Have you ever wondered whether your trusty AirPods Pro might survive a quick shower? If you’re one of those people that love to listen to music while showering, you’re probably considering taking your AirPods along. Unfortunately, that isn’t a good idea.

AirPods Pro aren’t waterproof, but they are water resistant with an IPX4 rating. They’re safe from water splashes from all angles, meaning mild rain or sweat shouldn’t do any harm. A shower will. Continuous contact with water or dropping the AirPods Pro can also damage the protection seals.

Let’s take a closer look at the water resistance of AirPods Pro, how to protect them from water damage, and what to do if your pair gets a bit wet.

What Are the AirPods Pro?

Apple released the AirPods Pro (on Amazon) in 2019 after the success of the original AirPods. AirPods Pro offer better sound quality than the original AirPods, as well as features like noise cancellation that are absent in other variants of AirPods. 

These wireless earbuds connect via Bluetooth 5.0 to your iPhone, Mac, or Apple watch. You can also connect AirPods Pro with non-Apple devices to enjoy superior sound quality. Functionality on non-Apple devices is limited, however, and you miss out on some features such as automatic switching between devices. 

The processor of AirPods Pro is the same as the second-generation AirPods — H1. However, the AirPods Pro stand out with features such as transparency mode, IPX4 water resistance, wireless charging, and silicone tips on the earbuds that you can change.

The silicone tips come in three different sizes for different ear shapes and ear holes. These tips are interchangeable and removable, meaning you can easily clean the tips.

The main purpose of the tips is to provide a comfortable design and active noise cancellation. For noise cancellation, the AirPods Pro have two microphones (one facing outward and the other facing inward).

For added comfort, there’s a vent system inside the AirPods that equalizes pressure. This system makes it easier to wear AirPods Pro for a longer time without discomfort. 

Enabling transparency mode lets you be in contact with the environment while still listening to your songs and podcasts on the AirPods Pro. However, with the noise cancelation mode on, you can cut off unnecessary noises from the environment and enjoy your music without having to increase the volume too much. 

The battery time is also amazing. The AirPods Pro let you have five hours of listening time without noise cancellation. Enabling noise cancelation shortens the battery life to about four and a half hours.

You can charge the wireless charging case using either Qi wireless charging or Lightning charging with a cable.

Can You Wear AirPods Pro in the Shower?

Some people love to listen to music or podcasts while showering, and as technology has advanced, many wonder if they can use their AirPods in the shower. The simplest answer is no!

AirPods Pro and other AirPods from Apple aren’t waterproof. However, they are water-resistant to some degree. Don’t get confused between the two terms as they are quite different.

Water-Resistant vs. Waterproof

A waterproof device means water won’t damage it in most cases. Usually, with such devices, there’s no way for the water to get inside and damage the components. Some waterproof devices have a certain limit of depth after which they don’t remain waterproof. 

Water-resistant devices, meanwhile, aren’t supposed to be submerged in water at all. They don’t have protection against water, and water can damage their internal components. However, a small amount of water such as a splash, sweat, or light rain is fine for water-resistant devices. 

IP Rating

The level of water and other environmental conditions that a certain device can withstand is measured by the IP rating. The first digit in an IP rating indicates intrusion protection while the second digit indicates protection against liquids. Starting from 0, the highest IP rating is 8 for liquids and 6 for solids.

Terms like waterproof and water-resistant are often vague and hard to understand. Some waterproof devices aren’t waterproof after a certain depth of water. So, how can you be sure about your device’s capabilities?

The IP rating makes it easier to understand the level of environmental conditions your electronics can endure. It also indicates the angle of water safe for your device. Let’s briefly learn about the IP ratings!

• IP00: As both digits are zero, this IP rating means that it provides no protection against any solid object or liquid. Using such a device even in mild rain can be damaging to the internal components and their functionality. 

• IPX1: X in an IP rating means that the specified device hasn’t been tested for intrusion protection. The IPX1 rating means the device is safe from condensation only. The angle for this rating is vertically falling drops of water.

• IPX2: IPX2 means that the device is safe from a direct splash of water up to vertical 15 degrees. Beyond this angle, the device is prone to damage.
  
• IPX3: IPX3 devices are safe from a direct splash of water up to vertical 30 degrees.

• IPX4: IPX4 devices are safe from water splashes from all angles. Such devices are safe to use in light rain, sweat, etc.
  
• IPX5: IPX5 devices can endure low pressure of water from all angles such as a nozzle.

• IPX6: IPX 6 devices withstand the high pressure of water from all angles such as powerful water jets or heavy seas.
  
• IPX7: Devices with an IPX7 rating are safe to immerse in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
   
• IPX8: IPX8 devices are said to be waterproof and are protected against complete water submersion.

IP Rating of AirPods Pro

The AirPods Pro have an IP rating of IPX4. That means that the AirPods Pro aren’t waterproof but they are water-resistant to some extent. IPX4-rated devices withstand water splashes from all angles.

So, the AirPods Pro are generally safe from sweat or light rain. You can use the earbuds while working out, running, or jogging without worrying about damaging them with sweat.

They are also safe to use in drizzling or light rain. However, you should keep them away from water and moisture as much as possible. That’s because the IPX rating doesn’t remain the same; it decreases with time. 

So, if your AirPods Pro keep coming in contact with water splashes, there will come a time when they won’t be water-resistant anymore. At that point, water splashes might damage the device.

To protect your AirPods Pro when not in use, keep a cover on the case. The OTTERBOX Soft Touch Case for AirPods Pro (on Amazon) is a great option.

What Happens if My AirPods Pro Get Wet?

If your AirPods Pro get wet from light rain or sweat, you don’t need to worry much. Wipe off the moisture from the AirPods Pro and make sure they’re completely dry before putting them back in the case.

However, if you’ve dropped your AirPods Pro in water, you should immediately take some precautionary steps. Here’s what you can do:

Wipe Off the Water

Take a clean dry piece of fabric and rub it on your AirPods Pro. Use a cotton swab to clean the small ports of your earbuds. Make sure there is no moisture left on the surface of the AirPods Pro.

Let Them Dry

Before returning your AirPods to the case, let them Pro dry for at least 2 hours. Place them somewhere with good ventilation.

For Sticky Materials

If there’s liquid soap, shampoo, or any other sticky liquid on your AirPods Pro, use a slightly damp cloth to clean the AirPods Pro.

What Shouldn’t You Do for Wet AirPods Pro?

Here are some things to avoid when your AirPods Pro get wet:

• Don’t place the AirPods Pro in rice. Rice particles can enter the AirPods Pro through the small holes and damage the internal parts. 
  
• Don’t use a dryer, microwave oven, radiator, heater, or any other such thing to dry wet AirPods Pro. 
  
• Don’t place the AirPods Pro in super cold temperatures. 
  
• Don’t attempt to charge your AirPods Pro when they’re wet.
  
• Don’t place the AirPods Pro in any container or even their charging case when they’re wet.

What to Do if Your AirPods Pro Case Is Wet

The steps to protect your AirPods Pro case if it’s wet are the same as for the AirPods themselves. All you have to do is wipe off excess water and let it dry overnight.

Place the AirPods Pro case upside down so that all the water inside the holes comes out. Use dry cotton to soak up water from inside the holes. 

Always let the charging case completely dry off before you place the AirPods Pro inside it. Otherwise, the earbuds can be damaged from the moisture inside. 

Don’t close the lid of the charging case until it’s completely dry. Don’t use anything to speed up the drying process such as a dryer or fan. 

If you have a cover on the charging case, remove it and dry it as well before putting it back on the case. The cover should only be used when both the case and the cover are completely dry. 

Does AppleCare Cover Water Damage?

AirPods Pro have a one-year warranty, but it doesn’t cover water damage. Apple has clearly stated that AirPods Pro or any other AirPods aren’t waterproof.

Swimming, showering, water sports, or any such activity that can wet your AirPods Pro is strongly discouraged while wearing AirPods Pro.

So, if you damage your AirPods Pro through water or any other liquid, Apple won’t repair it free of cost nor will you get a free replacement. You’ll have to pay for the repair or buy new ones.

In order to avoid water damage, here are some tips:

• Use a protective cover for the charging case.
  
• Don’t use AirPods Pro when you’re in water such as while swimming or showering.
  
• Keep your AirPods Pro away from the rain.
  
• Keep the water-resistant seals intact by avoiding dropping the AirPods Pro. Don’t let any hard and heavy objects fall on the AirPods.
  
• Don’t let your AirPods Pro stay on a wet or sticky surface.
  
• Immediately wipe off any lotion, sunscreen, or makeup from your AirPods Pro.
  
• Don’t keep the AirPods Pro out of the charging case when you aren’t using them.