Using a hair dryer to dry a wet iPhone is not recommended by Apple or most tech experts. However, many iPhone owners have tried this method with varying levels of success.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about drying an iPhone with a hair dryer:
- It’s possible to dry an iPhone with a hair dryer, but it’s risky and could damage your device.
- The intense heat from a hair dryer can damage the interior components of an iPhone.
- It’s safer to dry a wet iPhone by dabbing it with a soft cloth, using a fan, or placing it in rice overnight.
- Only use a hair dryer on the lowest heat setting and hold it at least 12 inches away to minimize risk.
- Never let the hot air blow directly into the ports or buttons, which can melt.
- Be patient and give the iPhone time to air dry before using heat from a hair dryer.
The Risks of Using a Hair Dryer on an iPhone
Why do many experts warn against using a hair dryer to dry out a wet iPhone? There are some definite risks to be aware of.
Overheating the iPhone
One of the biggest concerns is overheating. Hair dryers can reach temperatures of up to 135°F (57°C). The internal components of smartphones are designed to operate at around 95°F (35°C). Exposing them to excessively hot air can damage delicate electronics.
The lithium-ion battery inside the iPhone is especially vulnerable to heat damage. If overheated, the battery could swell up or even catch fire in rare cases. Melting internal soldering is another issue.
Melting Parts of the iPhone
Some components of the iPhone like the adhesives and plastic elements can begin to melt at temperatures above 120°F (49°C). Pointing a hair dryer on high heat directly at buttons or ports could distort their shape or cause other issues.
Short Circuiting from Moisture
Using a hair dryer could actually push moisture further into tiny crevices inside the iPhone instead of drying it out. Any remaining liquid could short circuit the delicate electronics leading to malfunctions.
EMI Interference
The electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by a hair dryer could potentially disrupt the signal processing of an iPhone if held too close. This could temporarily impact WiFi, cellular, GPS, and other antennas.
Steps to Dry an iPhone with a Hair Dryer
If you decide to attempt drying a wet iPhone with a hair dryer, here are some steps to follow:
- Make sure the iPhone is powered off. Don’t try to power on a wet phone.
- Shake out any excess moisture and dab the phone dry with a microfiber cloth. Remove case if applicable.
- Use a dry toothbrush to gently clean out moisture from buttons, ports or speakers.
- Point a fan at the iPhone for at least 30 minutes to air dry before using heat.
- Set a hair dryer to the lowest heat and fan speed. Hold it 12 inches away, moving it around slowly.
- Avoid holding the hot air on one spot for too long. Alternate between 10 seconds of heat and 10 seconds of cool down.
- Never let the hair dryer blow directly into any ports or vents.
- Check for moisture in crevices and dry problematic areas in short 10 second bursts.
- When fully dry, allow the iPhone to finish cooling down before attempting to power on.
Be patient, never rush the drying process, and monitor for signs of overheating like warped plastic. It could take an hour or more to safely dry an iPhone this way. Stop immediately if you smell burning or see smoke.
Alternative Ways to Dry an iPhone
Using a hair dryer on an iPhone is risky, but what are some other, safer options for drying it out?
Dry with Absorbent Materials
Burying the iPhone in uncooked rice is a popular solution. The rice will slowly absorb moisture out of the phone. Rice has natural drying properties, is inexpensive, and safe for the iPhone.
Other dry, absorbent materials like silica gel packs, dry oats, or instant couscous can also work. Simply submerge the phone in a sealable bag or container filled with your choice of material.
Use a Desiccant
Desiccants are specially engineered drying agents, usually found in the form of packets. They are highly absorbent and can rapidly pull moisture from the air and surfaces. Desiccant packs can be purchased for the purpose of drying out phones or other electronics.
Try a Drying Box
There are products like the Dry Box Pro that are designed to dry out wet phones and other items. It uses thermal heating elements and fans to actively circulate warm, dry air through a sealed chamber.
Use a Fan to Increase Air Circulation
Pointing a fan directly at the iPhone increases air flow across its surface. This accelerates the natural evaporation process. Use a fan for a few hours before considering other heating methods.
Do Not Microwave
Never attempt to dry an iPhone in the microwave. This will immediately fry the sensitive electronics and could even cause a fire hazard.
| Drying Method | Effectiveness | Speed | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair dryer on low | Moderate | Fast | Risky |
| Buried in rice | Very effective | Slow | Safe |
| Desiccant pack | Very effective | Moderate | Safe |
| Drying box | Extremely effective | Fast | Safe |
| Fan | Moderately effective | Slow | Safe |
| Microwave | Not effective | Fast | Extremely unsafe |
Tips for Drying a Wet iPhone
Here are some additional tips for safely drying a water-damaged iPhone:
- Never try to power on a wet iPhone, it can short circuit.
- Do not charge a wet iPhone until it is fully dried out.
- Avoid getting moisture in any openings like headphone jack.
- Use a toothpick to gently clean water from speakers, buttons, and ports.
- If possible, remove the SIM card and memory card before drying.
- An iPhone 11 or 12 is water resistant but still needs to be dried properly.
- Dry a wet case separately before reattaching it to the iPhone.
- A moist environment promotes corrosion so dry thoroughly.
- Check for liquid indicator strips inside SIM tray that turn red when wet.
- Do not disturb the iPhone while it is drying and give it ample time.
Signs of Liquid Damage in an iPhone
How can you tell if exposure to moisture caused permanent damage to your iPhone?
Display Problems
If liquid seeped beneath the screen, it may appear foggy or show distorted, discolored, or dead pixels. This indicates the display will need repair or replacement.
Touchscreen Glitches
The digitizer behind the screen may be damaged, causing issues with touch input registering accurately. There may be dead zones or false inputs.
Buttons or Ports Stop Working
Moisture corrosion could prevent the power, home, or volume buttons from working correctly. It can also damage ports like the Lightning connector or headphone jack.
Speakers Sound Distorted
Water exposure can muffle or change the quality of sound coming from the iPhone’s speakers. Liquid residue can interfere with sound output.
Rear Camera Lens Fog
If moisture got behind the glass, it may cause foggy spots or streaks to appear in photos. The lens needs professional cleaning.
Charging Issues
Corrosion from liquids can prevent an iPhone from charging or holding charge. This may indicate damaged charging components.
Feels Hot While Charging
An overheating iPhone while charging can mean water caused short circuiting. Heat is a symptom of issues with power delivery.
Won’t Turn On
If an iPhone won’t power on at all after getting wet, the logic board likely sustained damage requiring repair or replacement.
When to Take an iPhone to the Repair Shop
Under what circumstances should you give up on DIY drying methods and take your wet iPhone to the Apple store or a repair shop?
- You see smoke or smell burning.
- The phone makes crackling or buzzing sounds.
- Buttons or ports are visibly damaged.
- The display looks cracked or damaged internally.
- It won’t power on at all after thorough drying.
- It powers on but has serious glitches or malfunctions.
- Charging function is unreliable after drying.
- Rear camera performance seems permanently impacted.
- Speakers sound muffled and distortion persists.
- You need internal components thoroughly cleaned.
A technician has specialized tools to disassemble an iPhone and properly clean or replace any parts corroded by liquid. Leaving moisture inside can allow damage to spread with time.
DIY or Professional Repair?
Should you have a wet iPhone repaired by Apple or a third party shop instead of trying to fix it yourself?
Benefits of Apple Repair
- Technicians trained and certified by Apple.
- Genuine Apple parts used.
- Repaired phone retains water resistance.
- Carriers like Verizon may cover cost.
- Retains resale value better.
Benefits of Third Party Repair
- Typically cheaper than Apple.
- Faster turnaround time.
- Many reliable independent shops to choose from.
- More flexible with out of warranty repairs.
- May offer microsoldering for advanced board-level fixes.
Is DIY Repair an Option?
With the right technical skillset, common iPhone repairs like replacing a damaged charging port or speaker are doable at home. But attempting complex liquid damage repair as a DIY project is not typically advisable.
Specialized tools and microsoldering equipment are required. One misstep can permanently destroy the logic board. OEM parts may be hard to source. Restoring water resistance is also extremely difficult.
Unless you have experience doing board-level smartphone repair, the risks usually outweigh the benefits for DIY iPhone liquid damage repair.
Cost to Repair a Water Damaged iPhone
What’s the typical cost for professional iPhone liquid damage repair? Here are some ballpark figures:
- Basic cleaning at Apple – $399
- Third party basic cleaning – $60 – $150
- Component level repair – $150 – $350
- Full logic board repair – $300 – $500+
- Replacement refurbished iPhone – $200 – $400
The range depends on the iPhone model, type of damage, and who does the repair. Apple charges a flat rate while third party shops usually quote specific repairs. Replacing the entire phone is often the most costly option.
Preventing Water Damage to iPhones
They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some tips to avoid liquid damage to your iPhone in the first place:
- Use a waterproof case when near water.
- Never charge an iPhone near a sink, tub, pool, etc.
- Close all port covers when in humid environments.
- Don’t drink with your iPhone on the table.
- Immediately dry hands before handling iPhone.
- Keep your iPhone away fromkids and pets.
- Shut off and store iPhone before vigorous activity.
- Never use an iPhone in the shower.
- Only use your iPhone in dry outdoor conditions.
- Leave it at home when going to the beach or water park.
- Get AppleCare+ for cheaper replacement if damaged.
Accidental spills and splashes happen, but being cautious can go a long way towards preventing an avoidable tragedy. Invest in waterproof accessories and store the iPhone safely when not in use.
Conclusion
Drying a wet iPhone with a hair dryer is possible but risky. The intense heat can easily damage internal components if you aren’t extremely careful. Use low heat and keep the dryer moving to avoid overheating one spot.
For best results, power the iPhone completely off, remove any cases, and use a fan to air dry before breaking out the hair dryer. Absorbent rice, desiccants, or a drying box designed for electronics are much safer options if you can wait longer.
Severe liquid damage requires professional repair. But if caught quickly, light moisture exposure can often be remedied with some patience and the right DIY drying techniques. Just don’t expect miracles from a hair dryer unless you are willing to gamble with your iPhone’s health.
