Can AirPods Overcharge and Damage the Battery?

Jordan Read more October 29, 2020

In the past, when we bought a new device, whether it was a new phone or computer, we were repeatedly told not to leave them plugged in for too long. If you left the device charging overnight, we were told, you were risking damage to its battery. But now we have Apple AirPods that come in a holding case that serves as their charger as well.

Can AirPods Overcharge and Damage the Battery?

Is it safe to keep AirPods charging overnight? The short answer is yes, it’s safe. Your AirPods can’t overcharge and doing so overnight won’t damage their battery. In this article, we’ll discuss new batteries but also about potential problems that could damage your battery and how to avoid them.

New Type of Batteries

It’s not an urban myth that overcharging could damage the battery on some old devices. We’re talking about devices that were made a decade ago, before Lithium-ion batteries became popular. Today, Apple is using this type of battery for their AirPods.

They literally can’t overcharge, as the case is engineered to stop the process when the battery is fully charged. Even if your AirPods are still plugged in, the device will automatically stop the current flowing to their battery. Therefore, it’s 100 percent safe to leave them in their case for as long as you want. There’ll be no consequences to doing so as far as battery life is concerned.

What Can Damage the Battery?

So, we now know that overcharging won’t cause your battery gets damaged, but there has to be some other reason. Although tech companies won’t admit it, all batteries deteriorate over time. However, this process is slow, and there’s nothing to worry about. Most people don’t even notice the difference.

On the other hand, two factors could damage your battery and even make your AirPods stop working:

Heat – The worst thing you can do is leave your AirPods in the direct sunlight for a few hours. You have to be super-careful if you take your AirPods to the beach with you. Make sure to put them in your bag when you aren’t using them or cover them with a towel or something to block the sun’s direct rays.
Water – AirPods have small batteries that are even more prone to water damage than regular batteries. Therefore, make sure to keep them away from moisture. If they get wet, you should immediately take them out of the case and dry them with a towel.

How to Store AirPods Properly

So, what’s the best way to store your AirPods and prevent damage? Apple suggests that you keep them in the case when you’re not using them. Once again, remember that they can’t overcharge. And there are at least three other good reasons to keep them in the case.

First, they’re much safer in the case than they’d be in your pocket or your bag, where sharp objects could scratch them. Second, if they fall into the water, the case provides additional protection. And third, you’ll always know where they are. It’s much easier to lose a single bud than the case, right?

Oh, one more trick. If the battery is extremely low, let them charge for at least 30 minutes without interruption. Try not to open and close the case multiple times, at least during that first 30-minute period. That period is the most important, and you should let the batteries charge properly.

How to Clean Your AirPods

So if we need to avoid water with our AirPods, what’s the best way to clean them? The best way is to use a soft, dry cloth. If there are some stains that wiping with a dry cloth won’t remove, you can put a little amount of water on the cloth so it’s just slightly wet. You shouldn’t use any chemicals, as they could damage the surface of your AirPods.

You need to be very careful with the wet cloth, as it’s essential to make sure that liquid doesn’t enter any AirPods opening. When you finish cleaning, put your AirPods on a dry towel and let them dry. You mustn’t put wet AirPods back in the case. Also, you shouldn’t attempt to use them while they’re still wet, as it can be dangerous.

When it comes to the mesh sound covers, you’ll need a small brush to clean it properly. The brush needs to be completely dry and very soft, as sharp objects could destroy the mesh. You need to be patient and careful to remove debris from the mesh, to prevent germs.

A Case Is a Safe Place

It’s funny how technology changes with time. We opened this article with a question of whether it’s safe to keep your AirPods charging in their case for a long period of time. And it turns out that it’s not only safe, but the case is the best place to store them. It’s specifically made to protect them. Just don’t forget to clean the case every once in a while.

Where do you usually keep your AirPods? How often do you clean them? Let us know in the comments section below.