Do you find water droplets forming inside your AirPods Max earcups?
Apple can sometimes be careless when releasing their newest products and software. We found that many users had complaints about iOS 14, iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 Pro Max, AirPods Pro, and now, it is the AirPods Max’s turn.
AirPods Max has been topping the news with its higher price compared to other AirPods that Apple released. However, it is also garnering some bad feedback due to the condensation issue that is found inside its earcups. According to Donald Filimon, one of the AirPods Max users who posted the issue on Twitter, this issue caused problems with ear-detection.
Had exactly the same issue, with a light walk (40mn) and then again while watching a movie (1h30). Decided to return them after seeing that the water was also getting inside the driver and that the ring was getting red (or maybe I was overthinking it). Anyway too worrisome for me
— Calvin (@klemanet) December 29, 2020
What’s odd is that condensation usually happens when warm air hits a cold surface or object. Users even reported that they were not in a humid climate or used it while working out.
Because unlike other headphones out there, AirPods Max is made of metal, so it can likely get cool enough that condensation can happen even when sweating. In addition to that, condensation can also cause corrosion which can decrease the lifespan of your AirPods Max.
If you are one of those AirPod Max users that is experiencing this issue, do not fret because you are in the right place. We are here to help you prevent this issue from happening again, or if you haven’t experienced it yet, keep it from happening to you. We have put together some suggestions that you can try, so hopefully, one of these methods works for you.
Let’s dive right in!
- 1. Check It Before And After Use.
- 2. Avoid Using Them In Strenuous Activities.
- 3. Avoid A Humid Environment.
- 4. Avoid Sudden Changes In Temperature.
- 5. Avoid Using For A Long Duration Of Time.
- 6. Know When To Keep Them In The Case.
- 7. Get A Replacement.
1. Check It Before And After Use.
Before using your AirPods Max, check them first to see if any condensation has formed inside the earcups. If water has accumulated inside, wipe them out with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth or a microfiber cleaning cloth to collect the water.
You can also gently wipe them with disinfecting wipes, although you should not use them on the meshed part of the headband or ear cushions. Then leave the drivers exposed inside a well-ventilated room for a minute or two, so they completely dry out.
After using them, it is vital that you also check them. If you find accumulated water inside, you can do the same steps that you did before using them. It is of utmost importance that you always check them before and after use so that you won’t end up throwing them away if they become unusable.
2. Avoid Using Them In Strenuous Activities.
Since AirPods Max are not your standard pair of headphones made of plastic or rubber (silicone), it is best not to use them in activities that will make you sweat. Most of the time, those are during work-out sessions, when you are running or jogging, or even just taking a brisk walk.
AirPods Max, unlike AirPods Pro, are not sweat and water-resistant, so they should not be used while working out. This is one of the most common thing to remember to fix the AirPods Max condensation issue.
Apple even advised its users to “make sure not to get any liquid in the openings.” Plus, if you are moving your head too much while wearing it, the headphones will also move a lot, giving you a bobble-head sensation that can cause nausea or dizziness.
3. Avoid A Humid Environment.
Humidity is the volume of water vapor that is present in the air. High humidity can happen if there is a lot of water vapor in the air. So when it is humid, the heat will feel hotter than usual.
AirPods Max is made of metal, and condensation can happen when warm, moist air comes in contact with it. So wearing the AirPods Max in a humid environment can also cause them to condensate. You also need to avoid wearing them in the bathroom or while jogging during a foggy day.
4. Avoid Sudden Changes In Temperature.
Condensation usually happens more often in climates where the temperature often falls below 35°F or 1.67°C (35 degrees Fahrenheit or 1.67 degrees Celsius) for an extended period. The AirPods Max is prone to condensation if you use them right after they’ve been exposed to a cold environment.
In fact, any electronic device exposed to a cold environment has to be allowed to adjust to the warmer environment before turning it on.
An example of this is when your AirPods Max is temporarily stored in a car with the air conditioning on, and then you start using them as soon as you arrive home.
Water droplets could start forming inside the earcups when you are inside as the temperature becomes warmer. So if you plan to use them in a warmer environment, you need to store them in a place with a warmer temperature. Again, this is important in order to fix the AirPods Max condensation issue.
5. Avoid Using For A Long Duration Of Time.
It would be such a bummer if your AirPods Max can only be used for a certain amount of time, but trust us, this will lengthen its life. To prevent them from condensing, give your earcups some time to rest from time to time.
If you usually use them during a long workday, a piece of advice that we can give is to remove the headphones from your ears occasionally. It is also good to give your ears some break from a long time of being trapped between the ear cushions, because after all, everything needs a break every once in a while.
6. Know When To Keep Them In The Case.
It’s been an intriguing topic among many users as to why the AirPods Max case’s design looks like a bra. However, even with this awkward exterior, it is still an essential accessory. Putting your headphones in its rightful case could protect them from extreme cold, which can prevent condensation from happening when you start wearing them.
On the other hand, if you are staying at home or in a warm environment, you should let them out of their case after you stop using them to allow the ear cushions to breathe. Doing so will help prolong their life and usability. It is extremely important that you do this to fix the AirPods Max condensation issue.
7. Get A Replacement.
Hopefully, you have done the previous methods we suggested, and you won’t need to resort to having your AirPods Max replaced, but when worse comes to worst, we are still going to advise you to go to your nearest Apple Store.
If you notice that your AirPods Max still continues to condense despite our previous suggestions, it will be best to bring it back to Apple store and have them replaced. Hopefully, the replacement will not display the same issue, but if it does, you can always go back to our previous methods to prevent them from doing so. Remember, these methods will help you fix your AirPods Max condensation issue.
This concludes our article, but if you have any questions or updates on this matter, you can comment them down below. We are looking forward to the positive results!
If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂
