If your iPhone has been dropped in water, you may be wondering if it’s possible for it to recover and work normally again. The short answer is yes, it is often possible for an iPhone to recover from water exposure, but the chances depend on several factors.
What happens when an iPhone is dropped in water?
When an iPhone is dropped in water, the interior components can become damaged due to liquid exposure. Here’s a quick rundown of what happens:
- Water can short circuit electronic components and circuit boards inside the iPhone.
- Corrosion can occur on metal contacts and components.
- Residual moisture and deposits left behind after water dries can continue to cause issues.
- Important components like the logic board, battery, and ports can stop functioning properly if they get wet.
The amount of damage depends on factors like how long the iPhone was submerged, the depth, whether it was fresh water or salt water, and how quickly it was retrieved and dried out.
Factors that affect the iPhone’s chance of recovery
An iPhone’s chance of recovering after water exposure depends on several key factors:
- How quickly it was retrieved from the water – The less time spent submerged, the better the chances of recovery. A few seconds or minutes is better than half an hour.
- The depth of the water – The deeper the iPhone was submerged, the more water would have penetrated the casing and interior components.
- Whether it was fresh water or salt water – Salt water is much more conductive and corrosive, reducing the chances of recovery.
- How quickly drying efforts were started – Immediately powering off the iPhone and drying it increases recovery chances.
- Any signs of life – If the screen turns on, charges, or shows any signs of function, that’s a good sign.
- Apple’s water resistance rating – Newer iPhones with IP67 or IP68 ratings can withstand submersion better.
Essentially, the less time in the water, the faster drying starts, and the newer the iPhone model, the better the outlook for possible recovery.
Steps to dry out a wet iPhone and improve recovery chances
If your iPhone has been submerged, follow these steps to give it the best chance of recovery:
- Retrieve it quickly – Immediately retrieve the iPhone from the water to minimize submersion time.
- Power it off – Don’t try to turn it on. Power it off immediately to avoid short circuiting.
- Remove SIM card – Eject the SIM card tray to help expose the interior to air.
- Dry the exterior – Gently wipe down the exterior with a soft cloth to dry it off.
- Absorb moisture – Lightly shake out water from ports and buttons, then place the iPhone in a bowl of instant rice.
- Let it sit for at least 24-48 hours – Keep the iPhone buried in rice for at least a day or two to absorb residual moisture.
- Check for signs of functionality – After drying, try connecting it to power and check if the screen illuminates.
- Avoid powering it on prematurely – Only try turning it on after thorough drying, or moisture could short circuit it.
- Use desiccant packs – Instead of rice, you can place the iPhone in an airtight container with desiccant packs to control moisture.
Following a process like this gives an iPhone the best chance of recovering after water exposure. The key is to dry it out completely before powering it on again.
Tips to improve the chances of iPhone water damage recovery
Here are some additional tips that can further help in recovering an iPhone from water damage:
- Avoid heating sources like hairdryers or ovens which could damage internal components.
- Don’t try charging or powering on the iPhone until completely dry, which could take 5-7 days.
- Use rubbing alcohol to gently clean out any ports, buttons, and connectors.
- Open up the iPhone casing to access and clean interior components.
- Replace key components like the battery if corrosion is observed.
- Use moisture-absorbing products like the iDry Kit to extract liquid.
- Send to a professional phone repair shop if you are unable to get the iPhone working again.
Likelihood of iPhone water damage recovery by model
The likelihood of recovering an iPhone from water damage also depends heavily on the specific model. Here’s a quick look at how different iPhone models fare:
| iPhone Model | Water Resistance Rating | Likelihood of Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Models | IP68 up to 6m depth | Excellent |
| iPhone 13 Models | IP68 up to 6m depth | Excellent |
| iPhone 12 Models | IP68 up to 6m depth | Excellent |
| iPhone 11 Models | IP68 up to 2m depth | Good |
| iPhone XS/XR | IP68 up to 2m depth | Good |
| iPhone X | IP67 up to 1m depth | Average |
| iPhone 8/7/6 | No water resistance rating | Poor |
As you can see, the latest iPhone models with depth ratings of IP68 have excellent chances of recovery. Older models like the iPhone X and below fare worse, while the iPhone 8 and earlier have very poor water resistance.
Diagnosing the extent of liquid damage
To gauge the extent of the water damage and determine what needs to be repaired or replaced, it’s important to thoroughly diagnose the iPhone’s condition. Here are steps to take:
- Visually inspect ports, buttons, speakers for corrosion and deposits.
- Check boards like logic board and SIM tray for corrosion and mineral deposits.
- Test functionality of buttons, cameras, microphone, speakers.
- Check if the screen illuminates when connected to power.
- Try charging the battery and observe if it takes charge.
- Insert SIM card and test if cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth functions work.
- Power it on and test basic functionality.
Based on this diagnosis, you’ll know which components have been damaged by liquid. The repair effort and cost can then be assessed accordingly.
Common iPhone components damaged by water
If an iPhone has been submerged, here are some key components that are commonly damaged and may need repair or replacement:
- Logic board – Critical chips, connectors and circuits can be shorted out.
- Battery – Flooding can occur inside the lithium-ion battery, risking fire.
- Speakers and microphones – Residual water can prevent proper sound function.
- Cameras – Image sensors and lenses can fog up from condensation.
- SIM card tray – Corroded card reader contacts prevent SIM card recognition.
- Headphone jack – Liquid deposits inside the port cause faulty connections.
- Touchscreen – Sensors and digitizer layers under the screen can get damaged.
Replacement of damaged components may be required to get the iPhone working properly again after liquid exposure, which contributes to repair costs.
Cost to repair an iPhone with water damage
The cost to repair an iPhone that suffered water damage can vary widely based on factors like:
- Level of water exposure – Mild vs. extensive.
- Which components need replacement – Just battery or entire board.
- iPhone model – Component costs vary.
- Use of Apple vs. third-party parts.
- Shop repair rates – Apple Store vs. independent shops.
Minor repairs like battery or SIM card replacement may cost $50-100. But if the main logic board got damaged, replacing it could cost $200-350 or more. Apple charges premium rates of $500+ in some cases for water damage repairs using genuine Apple parts.
Going to third-party iPhone repair shops can significantly lower costs, with full water damage repairs running $150-300 on average based on the work needed.
Average Cost to Repair Water Damaged iPhones
| Repair Type | Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Battery replacement | $50 – $80 |
| Charging port fix | $60 – $90 |
| Logic board repair | $150 – $350 |
| Full device replacement | $300 – $500 |
Keep in mind these are just general estimates, and costs can be higher or lower depending on specific circumstances.
Professional water damage repair options
For professional-grade water damage repair services, here are a few options to consider:
- Apple Store – Genius Bar can diagnose issue and facilitate repair.
- Apple Authorized Service Providers – Network of certified third-party repair shops.
- Independent repair shops – Local stores often at lower cost.
- Mail-in services like iCracked – Send your iPhone and get a repair quote.
- Phone repair chains – Options like uBreakiFix, CPR Cell Phone Repair.
Shop around for quotes, prices can vary widely. Apple provides reliable service but is often the most expensive option.
DIY options for water damaged iPhones
Some basic water damage fixes can be attempted at home to save on repair costs:
- Dry out iPhone thoroughly before any disassembly.
- Watch repair videos for your specific model.
- Buy a repair toolkit and replacement parts online.
- Carefully disassemble and inspect the interior.
- Clean corrosion from connectors with alcohol.
- Replace battery, SIM tray, other damaged parts.
- Thoroughly clean and dry before reassembly.
However, more advanced repairs like soldering a new charging port or cleaning corrosion from the logic board may be best left to repair professionals. Seek help if your DIY efforts don’t get your iPhone working again.
Should you repair or replace your water damaged iPhone?
Deciding whether to repair or replace your water damaged iPhone depends on factors like:
- Age and value of your current iPhone.
- Cost of professional repairs.
- Availability of affordable replacement iPhones.
- Likelihood that damage can be fully repaired.
- Your tech comfort level for DIY repairs.
Older flagship iPhones like the iPhone X or below that suffer extensive damage may make a replacement the better investment if repairs cost over $300-400. But for newer models like the iPhone 12/13, repairs are often worth it unless completely non-functional.
Factors Favoring Repair
- Phone still turns on and functions
- Minimal corrosion seen inside
- Repair costs less than replacement price
- Newest iPhone models with full water resistance
- You need data recovery from the device
Factors Favoring Replacement
- Phone is completely non-responsive
- Corrosion is extensive, especially on logic board
- Full repair costs exceed replacement price
- Older iPhone models with no water resistance
- You were due for an upgrade already
Data recovery options for water damaged iPhones
If the iPhone is non-functional after liquid damage, data recovery should be attempted before any repairs:
- Back up to iTunes/iCloud – If phone powers on, make an immediate backup.
- Professional data recovery service – Pricey but can retrieve data even from dead phones.
- Repair phone first – Get phone working again, then recover data.
- iPhone data recovery software – Some programs can retrieve data from iOS device backups.
Don’t attempt repairs until data is safely recovered, as disassembly can make data unrecoverable. Expect $500+ for professional iPhone data recovery if needed.
Preventing water damage to iPhones
While recovering an iPhone from water exposure is sometimes possible, it’s better to prevent the damage in the first place. Here are tips to keep your iPhone safe from liquids:
- Use an iPhone case or cover to protect it.
- Avoid bathrooms and kitchens where exposure risk is high.
- Never charge an iPhone near sinks or tubs.
- Keep away from bodies of water like pools or beaches.
- Turn off and store the iPhone securely if participating in water activities.
- Never try to use an iPhone underwater; even waterproof models have limits.
- Invest in waterproof pouches to protect the iPhone near water.
- Consider getting AppleCare+ with theft and loss coverage just in case.
Conclusion
While no one wants their iPhone to take an accidental swim, water damage does not necessarily mean certain doom for your device. In many cases it is possible for an iPhone to fully recover and function normally again after being dropped in water, given prompt drying and proper repairs as needed. The most important factors are minimizing submersion duration, quickly entering a drying phase, and seeking professional help for critical component replacements. With rapid action, some luck, and proper repairs, your iPhone can often be revived.