Apple’s Airtags are by far one of the best tracking devices on the planet. They’re easy to set up and use and make use of the already huge Find My network which gives them excellent tracking abilities. However, as a gadget that’s supposed to track devices around the world, exposure to natural elements is inevitable.
In this article, we’re talking about whether or not Airtags are waterproof. We’ll also be going over some tips you can use to dry them should yours get wet.
Also read: How to use Find My on your iPhone or iPad?
Airtag waterproofing explained
According to Apple, Airtags are IP67 water resistant with the battery cover in place. This means that an Airtag can survive everyday water splashing just fine. If you’re really going to push it though, keep in mind that the IP67 rating only translates to depths of up to a meter. Airtags can be submerged in a meter of water (3.3 feet) of water for up to 30 minutes.
Do keep in mind that water resistance isn’t permanent and will degrade over time. The rougher you treat your Airtag, the faster its water resistance will wear out. It’s recommended that you replace the device altogether once an Airtag has been submerged in water for a bit or has gone through a rough patch.
Also read: How to know if someone stopped sharing location?
How to dry your Airtag?
Drying your Airtag is a simple task, but it is different from drying other electronics. For starters, it’s not recommended that you put Airtags in a bag or rice as smaller grain particles can get stuck inside the tag. Silica gel is the better option here, as it’ll dry off the tag much faster without any debris being stuck inside.
The first step is to take the Airtag apart by removing the battery cover and the battery itself. Once done, wipe off the device with a soft cloth. Be sure to not use anything like a blow dryer or similar equipment to force the tag to dry as it can melt the plastic and damage your Airtag. Once visible traces of water are gone, leave the Airtag out to dry for three to four hours. As mentioned before, you can use silica gel to accelerate the drying process.
Once the tag has dried, put the battery back in and reseat the cover. You should hear a beep from the device indicating that it’s back up and running. To check if your Airtag is fully functioning, open the Find My app and check to see if its location shows up on the map.
Also read: Why is my Airtag not updating information? 8 Fixes
