Quick Answer
It is often possible to retrieve data from a water damaged iPhone, but success depends on several factors like how quickly the phone was dried out and what type of water damage occurred. The best chances of data recovery require prompt action like removing the phone from the water, disconnecting the battery, and allowing the phone to dry thoroughly before attempting to power it on again. Professional data recovery services may be able to retrieve data even if the phone no longer powers on.
What should I do if my iPhone gets wet?
If your iPhone has been exposed to water, it’s important to act quickly in order to give yourself the best chance of recovering your data:
Remove it from the water immediately
As soon as you realize your iPhone has gotten wet, remove it from the water. The longer it remains submerged, the more water can seep into the device and cause corrosion.
Dry it thoroughly
Do not try to power on a wet iPhone. Water in the device can short circuit the electronic components. Dry the phone thoroughly with a soft cloth to soak up excess moisture. You may also place the phone in front of a fan or leave it to air dry for at least 24 hours.
Disconnect the battery
If possible, disengage the battery by opening up the phone and disconnecting the battery cable. This stops electric current from running through the device while moisture is still present.
Do not use heat sources
Avoid drying your phone with heat sources like a radiator, hairdryer, or microwave oven. High temperatures can damage electronic components. Let the phone dry naturally at room temperature.
Do not charge it
Do not attempt to charge or power on your iPhone until you are sure all internal moisture has evaporated. This may take 24 hours or longer depending on the extent of the water exposure. Leaving it to dry for several days is recommended.
What types of water damage can affect an iPhone?
Splashes and spills
Minor splashing or spilling a small amount of liquid on an iPhone may not cause permanent damage if the phone is dried out quickly. Just be sure to follow the proper steps for drying it thoroughly before powering it back on.
Partial submersion
If the iPhone was partially submerged or dropped in liquid but removed fairly quickly, there is a good chance the phone can be revived once completely dried out. Small amounts of moisture diffuse through tiny holes in the casing.
Complete submersion
When an iPhone is fully submerged for a prolonged period, especially in salt water, there is a greater likelihood of corrosion and component failure. However, chances of data recovery are still decent if the phone is handled properly upon removal from the liquid.
Exposure to liquids besides water
Water-resistant iPhones may be protected from rain or splashes but can still sustain damage when immersed in other liquids like soda, alcohol, pool water, etc. These can infiltrate the ports and coat the logic board.
What are my options for retrieving data from a water damaged iPhone?
Let it dry out and attempt to power on
If it was not submerged for very long, letting the iPhone dry completely before attempting to power it on may allow it to function normally. The screen may be unresponsive at first but could start working after a day or two.
Connect to iTunes
Connect your water damaged iPhone to a computer and open iTunes. If the phone is recognized, you may be able to sync data and retrieve files. iTunes will also prompt you to restore which you should avoid until extracting data.
iCloud backup
If your phone was recently backed up to iCloud before water damage occurred, you may be able to restore that backup to a different device and retrieve the data that way. This requires having iCloud backup enabled.
Professional data recovery service
For severe water damage or a phone that will not power on at all, professional recovery using specialized tools can read data directly from the logic board. Success rates vary based on damage extent.
Send to Apple
Apple may be able to retrieve data from a damaged iPhone but generally only if there are no signs of liquid damage. Fees apply unless covered by warranty. Apple prioritizes device repair over data recovery.
Can rice help dry out and recover a wet iPhone?
Placing your wet iPhone in a bag or bowl of rice is a popular DIY trick aimed at drying it out. The rice absorbs ambient moisture from the air and surrounding surfaces. However, its effectiveness is questionable compared to simply air drying:
The pros
– Rice is inexpensive and readily available
– The grains can reach small spaces inside the phone
– It absorbs some moisture from the device
The cons
– Rice absorbs moisture very slowly compared to air flow
– Any grains that get inside can cause damage
– Rice dust can clog ports and get trapped inside the phone
– Bags trap moisture against the phone surface
Most sources advise against using rice. It is an unproven method that may cause further issues. The phone still needs to be immediately dried as much as possible with cloths or air before placing in rice. Simply letting the phone air dry with proper ventilation is safer.
How does water damage an iPhone?
Water can damage the sensitive electronic components in several ways:
Short circuiting
Water conducts electricity which can short circuit the printed circuit boards and logic boards when power is applied, frying components.
Corrosion
With prolonged exposure, water causes oxidation and corrosion, especially on copper components. This can eat away contacts and disrupt electrical connections.
Mineral deposits
As water evaporates, it leaves behind mineral residue from the dissolved solids. This can interfere with electrical contacts and traces over time.
Component degradation
Moisture causes swelling and degradation of adhesives, plastics, and other materials used in iPhone construction. This expands chips and bends boards.
Water damage is difficult to repair because it is hard to fully dry all affected components. Severe corrosion requires replacing damaged ports and contacts. Data recovery should be attempted before any such repairs.
Can I use a water damaged iPhone while waiting for it to dry out?
It is strongly recommended not to use an iPhone that has gotten wet, even if it still powers on initially. Here’s why:
Safety hazard
Using electronics before fully drying presents an electric shock hazard, especially involving wall chargers. Residual moisture can transmit dangerous current.
Further damage
Operating a wet iPhone can cause short circuiting which may damage components that were still functional. Any movement stresses soaked solder joints.
Corrosion risk
Current through moisture-soaked circuitry accelerates corrosion. Chips and traces deteriorate more quickly compared to leaving the phone dry and inactive.
Data loss
Using a wet iPhone runs the risk of shorting out storage chips where data resides. Sudden power loss can also corrupt software and files.
Letting the phone dry for at least 24-48 hours without use gives the highest chance for restoring function and recovering data. Be patient and keep the phone powered off until completely dry.
Does water damage warranty cover data recovery?
Apple and most third party warranties cover water damage repairs on iPhones to an extent but data recovery is not always included:
Physical damage
Warranty repairs focus on fixing any damaged hardware components, not extracting data from them. Water contact indicators show if internal moisture occurred.
No guarantee
There is no guarantee data can be recovered from a water damaged phone even by Apple. The warranty aims for a working device.
AppleCare+
Adds coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage, which may provide better odds for data recovery along with repairs.
Separate service
Data recovery is a separate service not covered under warranty. Apple’s fees start around $500-$1000 with no data guarantee.
Third parties
More affordable third party services specialize in data recovery without phone repair. They may have higher success rates than standard warranty repairs.
If recovering data is your priority, turn to specialized providers first before sending the device into warranty since repairs can make data retrieval harder.
Can a water damaged iPhone with a cracked screen still have data recovered?
It is possible to recover data from a water damaged iPhone even with a cracked or broken screen, but the feasibility depends on certain factors:
Operability
If the iPhone still works despite the cracked screen, data should still be accessible by connecting it to a computer or wirelessly syncing to iCloud.
Logic board condition
Even with a non-working screen, data can potentially be extracted if the logic board remains undamaged by water exposure. Professional recovery services can access the raw storage chips.
Corrosion extent
Severe corrosion that penetrates into the interior from water intrusion makes data recovery more difficult but still possible in some cases using specialized tools.
DIY disassembly
Those experienced with phone repair can remove the storage memory intact and place it in an undamaged iPhone to access the data. This is difficult for beginners.
Avoid software update
Updating a water damaged iPhone with a cracked screen can overwrite data making recovery harder. Delay any iOS updates until extracting data.
A cracked screen adds complexity but does not necessarily preclude retrieving data from an iPhone with prior water damage if key internal components remain functional. Professional services offer the best chance of success.
How much does professional iPhone data recovery cost?
The cost for professional iPhone data recovery and repair can vary quite a bit based on the severity of water damage and what exactly needs done. Some ballpark figures:
| Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Data extraction from working device | $100-$300 |
| Repair + data recovery service | $300-$1000+ |
| Apple data recovery service (no repair) | $500-$1000+ |
| Third party mail-in recovery | $300-$1700 |
| On-site forensic recovery | $1000-$5000 |
Factors affecting cost:
– Extent of water damage
– Cost of component replacement
– Amount of data to recover
– On-site vs. remote service
– iPhone model and generation
Shop around and compare multiple quotes before choosing a service. Cost does not guarantee success – some cheaper options may be nearly as effective as expensive forensic recovery.
Can liquid damage be repaired after data is recovered?
After successfully recovering data from a water damaged iPhone, it may seem like the phone should be discarded. However, with proper repairs, some damaged components can be replaced allowing the iPhone to function again.
Replace corrosion damage
Heavily corroded ports and electrical contacts need to be swapped out. This may include charging ports, headphone jacks, and dock connectors.
Fix shorted circuits
Short circuited flex cables, traces, and boards can be repaired or replaced to re-establish broken connections and insulation.
Swap damaged chips
If moisture degraded key chips like processors or memory, soldering in new compatible chips restores their operation.
Test and calibrate
Once hardware is repaired, full system testing and calibration are needed to confirm normal iPhone functionality has been restored.
New battery
A replacement battery is nearly always needed even if not badly damaged since performance will have deteriorated.
With diligent microsoldering repairs, many water damaged phones can be salvaged. But costs may approach the price of replacement.
Can liquid damage eventually repair itself?
Unfortunately, water or liquid damage in an iPhone does not automatically heal or repair itself over time. Here is why:
Corrosion continues
Oxidation and corrosion from moisture causes progressive damage as metal traces and solder points degrade further. It does not spontaneously reverse.
Residual effects
Even after drying out, corrosion deposits and minerals left behind continue to disrupt electrical contacts and conductivity over time.
Intermittent failures
Damage may initially cause intermittent problems that gradually worsen. Connections slowly break down until complete component failure.
Temperature fluctuations
Heating and cooling cycles accelerate expansion and contraction of affected materials. This strains weakened solder joints and internal structures.
No self-correction
There are no self-healing mechanisms inside an iPhone to automatically correct liquid corrosion damage or degraded components.
Professional servicing is required to halt ongoing damage from liquid exposure and restore normal function through repairs and replacements. The phone will not spontaneously return to working order.
Conclusion
Water and liquid damage to an iPhone can often be mitigated with fast action to dry the device thoroughly, avoid powering it on until moisture has evaporated, and use professional recovery methods when needed. The ultimate feasibility of data retrieval depends on the specifics of the liquid exposure. But following the proper initial steps gives you the highest chances. With the right repairs, the iPhone hardware can sometimes be revived as well after data is recovered. Just do not expect moisture damage to self-correct over time without servicing. Prompt and proper handling is key for both data and device salvaging.