Assess the Water Damage
The first step is to carefully inspect your iPhone to determine where and how much water may have entered the device. According to Apple, iPhones built since 2007 contain liquid contact indicators that will turn red if they come into contact with water (1). These indicators can be found in the SIM card tray, battery compartment, and other internal areas. Checking these spots can give you an idea of how much water exposure occurred.
In addition to the liquid contact indicators, check for any other signs of water damage. Look for condensation or fogging under the screen or camera lenses, non-responsive buttons, speaker or microphone issues, or problems charging. Cosmetic damage like water stains or corroded ports are also a sign of water exposure. The more issues you notice, the more water likely entered your iPhone.
Thoroughly assessing the water damage will help you determine the best drying methods and reveal if you may need to get professional repair or replacement if functionality has been impacted. It’s important to address any water contact right away before permanent internal corrosion can occur.
Turn Off and Disconnect Power
It’s crucial to power off the phone immediately after water exposure to prevent short circuits and further damage. Water can cause electrical malfunctions, so cutting off power right away helps minimize any potential issues. According to experts, “By immediately turning off your phone after it gets wet, you cut off the power source and stop the flow of electricity through the device.”[1]
After powering off the iPhone, disconnect all cables, chargers or any other accessories connected to it. Removing cables prevents electricity from reaching the phone while drying. Allowing the device to remain powered on may cause permanent damage. One guide recommends, “Turn the phone off and leave it off.”[2] So remember to power off the iPhone immediately if wet, and disconnect all accessories attached.
Remove SIM Card and Battery
It’s important to remove any components that could be damaged by moisture exposure as soon as possible. Start by ejecting the SIM card using a SIM card removal tool. Locate the small hole on the SIM card tray and insert the tool to pop out the tray. Gently remove the SIM card and set it aside to fully dry out.
Next, find the release lever located next to the SIM card slot. You may need a small screwdriver to carefully pry up the lever and release the battery. Lift out the battery and disconnect any attached cables or connectors. Be very gentle, as forcefully removing the battery can damage internal components.
According to Apple’s guidelines, “Using accessories or charging when wet may damage your iPhone. Allow at least 5 hours before charging or connecting a Lightning or USB-C accessory.” (source)
Dry External Surfaces
Once you have removed all external power sources and accessories, the next step is to dry the iPhone’s external surfaces. Be very gentle as you dry the device – do not rub or scrub aggressively. According to Apple’s guidelines here, you should:
- Carefully wipe away any wetness with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Gently pat dry all buttons, ports, speaker grilles, etc. to remove moisture.
- Pay special attention to openings like the Lightning port to soak up any water trapped inside.
Take your time patting your iPhone dry. Check all over for any missed damp spots. The key is to be extremely delicate so as not to cause any further internal damage.
Absorb Internal Moisture
One way to absorb internal moisture is to place the phone in a bowl or bag of uncooked rice. Rice acts as a desiccant and can help absorb water from inside the phone through a process called osmosis (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/14/phone-wet-and-wont-turn-on-heres-what-to-do-with-water-damage-hint-putting-it-in-rice-wont-work). The rice grains attract and pull in water molecules from the phone’s interior. Be sure to fully submerge the phone in rice so that all openings and ports are covered. Seal the phone and rice in an airtight container or bag. Let the phone sit in the rice for 24-48 hours to give time for the moisture to be sufficiently absorbed.
Use Desiccant Packs
Silica gel or desiccant packs also absorb moisture. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/how-to-dry-out-wet-phone-tablet/. They are more effective than rice for absorbing moisture in the small, enclosed spaces inside electronic devices. The silica beads attract and trap water vapor, helping to draw it out of your iPhone.
Place several desiccant packs touching your phone inside a sealed plastic bag or airtight container. Make sure the packs are touching the phone so they can effectively absorb the moisture. Leave the phone and packs sealed together for at least 48 hours before checking if the phone is dry.
Try a Drying Box
Specialized drying boxes can help accelerate the drying process for wet phones. These boxes are designed specifically to dry out electronics.
Drying boxes utilize warm, dry circulating air to evaporate moisture, along with moisture-absorbing silica beads or other desiccants. The warm air flows across the phone to pick up humidity, while the beads absorb any condensation.
Using a specialized electronics drying box helps create an ideal environment to thoroughly dry out a phone’s internal components without risking further water damage. Just place the phone inside the box, close it up, and let it run its drying cycle. This will likely dry out a phone much faster than air drying alone.
Drying boxes can be purchased online or in some electronics stores. Look for one designed for mobile phones to ensure it properly fits your iPhone. With some patience and the right drying tools, you can recover a water-damaged phone.
Do Not Use Heat
Avoid using hair dryers, ovens, or other heat sources to dry out your iPhone (source). The intense heat can damage internal components like the battery and logic board. It can also damage seals designed to keep out moisture.
Allowing the phone to air dry gradually at room temperature is safer for the sensitive electronics inside. Heat causes condensation inside the phone which can short circuit components. Most manufacturers warn not to use heat to dry a wet phone.
Be patient and allow up to 72 hours for the phone to dry out on its own without applying heat. This gives moisture time to evaporate gradually without risking further water damage (source). Avoid the temptation to speed up drying with heat, which usually does more harm than good.
Be Patient During Drying
The drying process for a wet phone generally takes 24 hours or longer, depending on the extent of the water exposure. It’s important to resist the urge to power on your phone before it is completely dry, as this can cause permanent damage.
According to experts, you should allow your phone to air dry for at least 24 hours after getting it wet before attempting to turn it on again. Some recommend waiting 48-72 hours if the phone was fully submerged to ensure there is no remaining moisture inside the device.
While it may be tempting to test your phone sooner, additional drying time is always better than causing corrosion or short circuiting due to trapped moisture. Have patience and wait the full 24 hours, or even longer if possible, to give your phone the best chance of functioning properly again after water exposure.
Test Functionality Before Regular Use
After drying, reconnect battery and cables1. Power on phone to test basic functions2. Make calls, charge, use buttons, etc. If issues persist, may need professional help.