It can be a nightmare to drop your iPhone in water by accident, but don’t freak out—moving fast can save your bacon. If not managed appropriately, water exposure can result in major harm, regardless of whether it fell into a sink, was splashed in the pool, or unexpectedly plunged into the toilet. If your iPhone becomes wet, we’ll show you exactly what to do (and what not to do), how to check for water damage, and how to fix it if it won’t turn on.
Immediate steps to take after dropping your iPhone in water
In order to reduce damage and improve the likelihood that your iPhone will be saved, you must act quickly if it has been submerged in water. To stop short circuits and additional water penetration, do these quick actions.
– Switch it off right away—don’t even try to use it!
Checking to see if your iPhone is still functional may be your first impulse, but fight the desire! If you leave your phone on in the rain, it may short circuit and cause internal components to be irreparably damaged.
- Turn it off by holding down the power button until the “slide to power off” screen shows.
- Force shut down the device if the screen is not responding (for Face ID iPhones, press and hold the Volume Up button, then Volume Down, and finally the Power button until the screen turns black).
- Its internal circuitry could be damaged if you attempt to charge it or connect it to a computer.
– Take off the accessories and case
Your iPhone’s exposure to moisture may be prolonged if water becomes trapped between the device and its case. Your phone will dry more quickly if you remove it right away.
- Remove any cover, skin, or protective case to allow the iPhone to breathe.
- To stop the connectors from corroding, remove any MagSafe accessories you may be using.
- To prevent water from becoming lodged in ports, take out any adapters, headphones, or lightning cords.
– Use a lint-free cloth to remove extra water
Dry the outside of your iPhone as much as you can after taking off the case.
- Dab (do not rub!) the screen, back, and borders with a soft cotton cloth, paper towel, or microfiber cloth.
- To absorb any water that is visible, pay close attention to the buttons, speaker grilles, and charging port openings.
- Toilet paper and tissue should not be used because tiny fibers may become lodged in the ports.
– Don’t blow into ports; instead, gently wipe off the water
The speakers and charging port on your iPhone are probably retaining some water droplets. By correctly removing them, internal damage can be avoided.
- Hold the iPhone with the Lightning port facing down to release trapped water and shake it lightly.
- Avoid blowing into the speakers or charging port as this may cause water to seep further into the gadget.
- Compressed air, paper clips, and cotton swabs should not be inserted since they could cause damage.
– To avoid more damage, take out the SIM card
Conventional SIM card slots have the potential to retain water within your iPhone, even if it is eSIM-only. Airflow is made possible by removing the SIM, which aids in drying out the internal parts.
- To remove the SIM tray, use a paperclip or a SIM ejector tool.
- After cleaning the SIM card and tray, let it sit outside while your iPhone dries.
- Tilt your phone a little to allow the water to drain out if there is any visible water inside the tray slot.
What NOT to do after water exposure
Following the correct recovery procedures after dropping your iPhone in water is crucial, but so is avoiding frequent mistakes. In reality, a lot of popular “quick fixes” might worsen the situation and cause irreversible harm.
– Why rice isn’t the best option (And What Works Better)
- The idea that soaking a wet iPhone in a bowl of rice will dry it out and solve the issue is one of the most widespread misconceptions. Regretfully, this approach is not only ineffectual but also detrimental to your device.
- Rice just absorbs surface-level water; it is ineffective in absorbing moisture from within your iPhone.
- To make matters worse, little grains of rice may become lodged in the speaker grilles or charging port.
- Over time, further contamination and corrosion may result from rice dust getting into the phone.
What is more effective?
- Silica gel packs, such as those in shoe boxes, are better at absorbing moisture.
- Use Apple’s suggested drying process, which involves holding the iPhone upright and allowing it to air dry, or leaving it in a dry, well-ventilated room with airflow for natural evaporation.
– Do not charge it or turn it on again too soon
Although it may be tempting to see if your iPhone is still functional, doing so is among the worst things you can do after being exposed to water.
- If you turn it on too soon, the internal components could be irreversibly damaged by a short circuit.
- Overheating, corrosion, and electrical failure can result when charging it while wet.
- The logic board can be destroyed by passing electricity via a gadget that appears dry on the exterior but may still contain water.
What to do instead?
- Give it at least 24 to 48 hours before trying to switch it on.
- If your phone is compatible, use a wireless charger after drying, as water in the charging port can still create problems.
- Before turning it on, try to get it to a professional repair shop so they can check for dampness.
– Don’t use a hairdryer or heat source
Some people try to speed up the drying process by using a hairdryer, heater, or even an oven—but this can be extremely damaging to your iPhone.
- Heat can warp internal components, including the battery, logic board, and adhesive seals.
- Blowing hot air into the device can push water deeper into internal circuits, causing more damage.
- High temperatures can weaken or damage the battery, leading to potential safety hazards.
Why you shouldn’t press buttons or shake the device excessively
Many times, when an iPhone gets wet, people automatically shake the device, tap the screen, or click keys to see if it still functions. To make matters worse, this may actually force water deeper within.
- Button presses can increase the chance of damage by forcing water further into internal components.
- Excessive shaking of the device may cause water to leak into unaffected places, leading to more serious internal damage.
- The touchscreen sensors may short circuit if moisture is trapped inside and you repeatedly tap or press the screen.
What to do instead?
- Gently tilt the iPhone with the charging port facing downward to let water drain naturally.
- Let the phone sit motionless in an upright position while drying.
- Wait until you’re sure the phone is completely dry before pressing any buttons or attempting to turn it on.
How to check for water damage
Check for any remaining indications of water damage on your iPhone after it has dried for at least 24 to 48 hours. Long-term issues may arise from concealed water damage to your iPhone even if it seems to be operating well. To find out if your iPhone has been impacted, follow these steps.
– Finding the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) on the iPhone
Every iPhone from Apple has a Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) to show whether it has been exposed to liquid.
What is the LCI?
- Inside the SIM card slot is a tiny sticker called the LCI, which changes color when it comes into contact with fluids.
- The LCI is either silver or white under typical circumstances.
- The LCI will turn pink or crimson if water has gotten inside of it.
- How to use your iPhone to check the LCI:
- Before you check, turn off your iPhone.
- To remove the SIM tray, use a paperclip or SIM ejector tool.
- To find the LCI sticker, shine a flashlight into the SIM slot.
- Your iPhone may require repairs if it is pink or red, as it has water damage.
- Your iPhone might have survived without any internal damage if it is still silver or white.
Important Note: Water within your iPhone may still be harming performance even if the LCI hasn’t changed color.
– Signs of water damage
Over time, water exposure can lead to a number of performance problems with your iPhone, even if it is turned on. The following are typical signs of water damage:
- Screen problems: Unresponsive touch, discolouration, or flickering display.
- Issues with sound: distorted or muffled speaker output, malfunctioning microphone.
- Problems with charging: iPhone overheats and fails to charge.
- Overheating or unusual shutdowns: The gadget overheats or restarts itself.
- Network issues include weak cellular, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi signals.
- Camera issues: blurry images and a dark screen in the camera app.
- Residue or corrosion: Green or white residue surrounding buttons and ports.
– Testing buttons and speakers after drying
Before using your iPhone normally again, perform a few simple tests to ensure everything is working correctly.
Test the power & volume buttons:
- Press the power button to see if the screen wakes up instantly.
- Adjust the volume up/down buttons to check responsiveness.
- If any buttons feel sticky or unresponsive, there may still be moisture inside.
Test the speakers & microphone:
- Play a song or video at full volume—if the sound is muffled or crackly, the speakers may still be wet.
- Make a test call to check if both the microphone and earpiece work.
- Try using Siri—if she doesn’t hear your voice, the microphone may be damaged.
Test the charging port & wireless charging:
- Plug in a charger—if your iPhone doesn’t charge or says “Liquid detected in Lightning connector,” stop immediately and let it dry longer.
- Place your iPhone on a wireless charger (if supported) to see if it charges.
- If charging only works wirelessly, your Lightning port may be damaged.
What to do if your iPhone won’t turn on
Water damage can keep your iPhone from turning on even after you’ve dried it out. To troubleshoot the problem and find out if your gadget can be salvaged, follow these steps.
– Consider Forced Restarting Following Drying
Try a forced restart if your iPhone doesn’t seem to be responding.
- For iPhone 8 and later: Press and release the Volume Up button quickly, followed by the Volume Down button, on iPhone models 8 and later. Holding down the Side button will bring up the Apple logo.
- For iPhone 7/7 Plus: For the iPhone 7/7 Plus, press and hold the Sleep/Wake (Power) and Volume Down buttons at the same time until the Apple logo shows.
- For iPhone 6s and earlier: Holding the Home and Power buttons together will cause the Apple logo to show on iPhone models older than the 6s.
– Look for indications that the battery is dead (not just water damage).
- Instead of total water damage, a dead or broken battery may be the cause of your iPhone’s inability to respond.
- Before attempting to switch on your iPhone, plug it into a known-to-be-functional charger and let it sit for at least half an hour to an hour.
- Check for any indications, like a low battery icon on the screen, that the device is trying to charge.
– An Alternate Test with a Wireless Charger
Try cleaning the charging port gently with a dry toothbrush or compressed air before attempting to charge again.
Put your iPhone on a Qi-compatible wireless charger if it has wireless charging capabilities (iPhone 8 and later).
If it starts charging wirelessly but not via cable, the Lightning port might be damaged due to water exposure.
Preventing water damage in the future
Although iPhones are somewhat water resistant, prolonged or deep water exposure can still harm them because they are not completely waterproof. It’s crucial to take precautions before mishaps occur in order to avoid expensive repairs or losing your gadget completely.
What is the difference between waterproof and water-resistant?
❌ Waterproof means a device can be fully submerged indefinitely with no damage.
✅ Water-resistant means a device can resist water exposure for a short time but is not guaranteed to be fully protected.
– Comparing waterproofing and water eesistance in iPhones
Although it’s not quite accurate, many people believe that the latest iPhone models are waterproof. The water resistance of Apple products varies, so while they can tolerate some exposure, they are not made to endure total submersion.
What is iPhone water resistance?
- Apple gives iPhones an IP (Ingress Protection) rating, which determines how resistant they are to dust and water.
- Example: iPhone 13, 14, and 15 have an IP68 rating, meaning they can survive in 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes under controlled conditions.
- Older iPhones like the iPhone 7 through iPhone X have an IP67 rating (1 meter for up to 30 minutes).
- Even with an IP rating, water resistance can degrade over time due to wear and tear.
What weakens water resistance?
- Drops, cracks, and general wear can weaken the waterproof seal around the SIM tray, buttons, and speaker grilles.
- Exposure to saltwater, chlorine, or soapy water can be more damaging than freshwater.
- Opening your iPhone for repairs or battery replacement can compromise its water resistance.
- What to do if you frequently use your iPhone near water
Take into account these precautions if your employment or way of life frequently exposes you to lakes, beaches, pools, or rain:
- Put your phone in a waterproof pouch: These are cheap, transparent plastic pouches that protect your phone from water damage. Excellent for boating and beach excursions.
- Steer clear of water: To avoid condensation damage, never charge your iPhone near water, such as in a bathroom, sauna, or kitchen sink area.
- Always have a microfiber cloth on hand. This will help you reduce the amount of time your phone is exposed to water.
- Use wireless earbuds: Keep your iPhone out of the water and use Bluetooth headphones or AirPods to answer calls hands-free.