How Waterproof Are Apple AirTags? (Are you kidding me!)

You’ve just purchased your new Apple AirTags after hearing about how they can discourage unwanted tracking, not to mention track your keys, wallet, purse, backpack, luggage, and even more. You can take these tiny, portable, Bluetooth-equipped devices just about anywhere.

But – gasp! – yours gets wet. Uh-oh. Is this cause for panic?

How Waterproof Are Apple Airtags?

Apple AirTags aren’t waterproof, but they are water-resistant. They have an ingress protection rating of IP67, which is precisely the same as the iPhone X. This means you can submerge them in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes and have full dust resistance.

There is a difference between being waterproof and water-resistant, and the AirTags are indeed water-resistant. But just how water-resistant are they? How much water exposure can they withstand? Might other liquids be more harmful to them than just a splash of regular ol’ H2O?

This tracker can be attached to dog collars, and there are some drying instructions you need to be aware of, as well as a maximum depth for submersion. They also offer some dust resistance in addition to being water resistant.

Let’s talk more about how waterproof your Apple AirTag actually is and what to do if it does get wet.

How Waterproof Are AirTags?

As I mentioned above, AirTags have an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP67, just like the rating on the iPhone X. In other words, Apple AirTags have total protection against dust intrusion and are water-resistant when submerged in up to one meter of water for no more than thirty minutes.

You could drop your AirTag into a puddle or cup of water for a few minutes and have them come out completely unscathed. However, water resistance can diminish over time, and Apple will not cover liquid damage. So, don’t try any cool party tricks with your expensive AirTags.

How To Dry Out Your AirTags

Keeping your Apple AirTags dry is definitely important. Should the AirTag happen to get wet, don’t flip out. You can take a few crucial steps to dry it off. Avoid blowing breath on your AirTags or using pressurized air to dry it out. Using this method can cause further damage to the AirTags by blowing the liquid deeper into the device’s electronic components.

First and foremost, you need to wipe off any water that has gotten onto the exterior of the AirTag using a lint-free microfiber cloth. Do your best to keep the AirTags as still as possible while dabbing the water off. If you move the device around too much, this might make water droplets slide into the interior and cause serious damage to the battery.

Once the exterior is all dried off, open the AirTag by pressing and holding down on the device’s metal battery cover. 

Next, you need to twist it counterclockwise until the battery cover completely pops out. After that, remove the AirTag’s battery.

Now, you will want to leave the AirTags, battery cover, and battery on a flat surface to air-dry. Desiccants like Silica packets can be placed around the AirTag components to hasten the drying process. Desiccants often come in shoeboxes or shipping containers.

It is important to allow the AirTags enough time to completely air-dry. In fact, drying time will likely take a few hours. Once all of the AirTag’s components are dried off, reassemble the device. 

It is a good idea to test it by opening the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. From there, you can see if you can get the AirTags to make a noise.

How To Attach An Apple Air Tag To Your Dog’s Collar

Thinking about attaching your AirTags to your dog’s collar? Think twice, especially if your dog likes to get wet. You’ll want to buy a dog collar holder for your device, and they’re relatively cheap to purchase online. 

For the same price, you can make your own holder. Here’s how:

1. Cut some neoprene into a 2-3 inch (5.1 to 7.6 cm) rectangle in length and wide enough that it can wrap tightly around your dog’s current collar with plenty of overlaid material to sew or glue it into place. You can use a longer tube to prevent the AirTags from popping out of place.
2. Next, spread neoprene glue or get your sewing materials ready. Mold the neoprene into a tube that will fit the collar’s width. After that, you can glue or sew the neoprene into a tubular shape.
3. After that, you can insert the collar into the sleeve. Once you’ve done that, you can work the AirTags into one end.
4. Now, slip the collar through your tube, slowly working the AirTags into an end of the neoprene sleeve; do this until everything is centered.
5. Finally, you can attach the collar to your pup.

Can You Swim With AirTags?

With an IP67 rating, it is possible to swim with your AirTags on. But I don’t recommend it, given the fact that water resistance can wear down over time. This isn’t something you need to be swimming around with, so it is best left in a safe, dry place. You might want to look into waterproof cases if you plan on taking your AirTags absolutely everywhere with you.

Can I use Find My App With Apple AirTags?

So, how does location data work with Apple AirTags? You can use Precision Finding to pinpoint the location of your misplaced item if you own a supported iPhone model with Ultra Wideband.

Using this function is easy when you have the Find My app in use. Here’s how you do it:

1. Open your Find My app, then tap on the Items tab.
2. Select the AirTags you want to locate, then tap Find.
3. Follow the prompts and move around until your iPhone connects to your AirTags.
4. Your iPhone will show the distance and direction you’re in, in relation to your AirTags. Use that information to close in on your device.
5. Tap the X button once you’ve located the AirTags you were seeking. 

Closing Thoughts

Apple AirTags aren’t waterproof, but they have an IP67 rating. Dust shouldn’t be a big problem, and a little bit of water exposure is probably okay. 

Still, it is best not to take too many risks with this device. Take precautionary measures and don’t risk water exposure if you can help it.