AirTags are Apple’s new Bluetooth trackers, allowing you to keep track of items like your wallet and keys. But what happens if they get exposed to liquids? In this article, I’ll answer the question: Are AirTags Waterproof?
The Short Answer? No (But Don’t Panic)!
AirTags are water-resistant, not waterproof. You should not submerge your AirTags in liquid, or expose them to a steady stream of water from a hose or faucet.
However, this does not mean AirTags will stop working as soon as they’re exposed to the elements. If you accidentally spill something on your AirTags, or if you get caught in the rain, your AirTags should still work properly.
How Water-Resistant Are AirTags?
AirTags have an ingress protection rating of IP67, the same rating as the iPhone X. This means AirTags have complete protection against contact with dust and are water-resistant when submerged up to one meter in water for up to thirty minutes.
Theoretically, you could drop your AirTag in a puddle, or glass of water, and it would probably survive for several minutes. However, I’d caution against trying this as a party trick. Water-resistance can wear down over time, and Apple doesn’t cover liquid damage.
How To Dry Out Your AirTags
If your AirTag does get wet, don’t panic! There are a few steps you can take to dry it off. I do not recommend blowing on your AirTag, or trying to dry it out with pressurized air. Doing this can further damage the AirTag by blowing the liquid deeper into its electronics.
The first thing to do is to wipe off any water on the exterior of the AirTag with a microfiber cloth. Try to keep the AirTag relatively still while doing this. Moving it around too much might cause water droplets to slide into the interior and damage the battery.
After you dry off the outside, open the AirTag. To do this, press and hold on the AirTag’s metal battery cover, then twist it counterclockwise until the battery cover pops out. Next, remove the AirTag’s battery.
Leave the AirTag, battery cover, and battery out on a flat surface. If you have any desiccants, such as Silica packets, you might want to place them around your AirTag components to accelerate the drying process. You can often find desiccants in shoeboxes or shipping containers.
Allow the AirTag enough time to fully air dry; it will probably take a few hours. Once all the AirTag components are dry, reassemble your AirTag. If you’d like to test it, try opening the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch and see if you can get it to make a sound!
Stay Dry!
No matter what you attach your AirTags to, you can rest assured that they can keep up with pretty much any environment they’re in. While AirTags are not quite waterproof, they’re built to last and adapt. Just don’t take them swimming!
