Having an iPhone 12 Pro Max get wet can be a scary situation. Water can damage the sensitive internal components and render your phone unusable. However, with the right approach, you may be able to dry out your iPhone 12 Pro Max and get it working again.
Assessing the Damage
The first thing you’ll want to do is assess the extent of the water exposure. Was your phone briefly splashed or did it take a dunking? The amount of water exposure will determine your next steps.
Start by removing your phone from the water source immediately. Gently wipe away any excess moisture with a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not try to shake out any water from your phone’s ports or buttons.
Check for any visible moisture in the phone’s openings like the charging port, earpiece, or speaker grills. Carefully insert a flashlight and inspect the inside of the ports. Liquid damage may not be immediately apparent.
Power on your device if you’re able. However, don’t be alarmed if it fails to turn on. It’s very common for wet iPhones to not power on right away.
Signs of severe water damage include foggy camera lenses, a dim or unresponsive screen, the touchscreen not working properly, and the iPhone making gurgling or cracking sounds. If you notice any of these issues, you may need to seek professional repair.
Water Damage: What to Do Next
For minor splashes or brief water exposure, drying out your iPhone 12 Pro Max on your own may be possible. However, moderate to severe water damage requires professional service for the best chance at saving your device.
Here are your options based on the extent of the water damage:
Minor Exposure
If your iPhone 12 Pro Max got mildly splashed or briefly dropped in water but still works normally, shut it off and follow the drying steps below. There’s a good chance you can revive it.
Moderate Exposure
If the phone’s been significantly wet and you notice some corrosion or malfunction, you’ll need to seek professional help. Phone repair shops use special drying tools and cleaning methods to flush out liquid and debris.
Severe Exposure
With extensive water damage like submersion, your best bet is to take your iPhone to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider immediately. The sooner heat and cleaning methods are applied, the better chance your phone can be saved.
Drying Out Your iPhone 12 Pro Max
If your phone only had minor exposure to moisture, here are some DIY methods to dry it out:
1. Remove All Moisture
Eliminate any visible droplets of water using a dry, soft cloth. Don’t rub too hard as this can push more water into the phone.
Carefully use a can of compressed air to blow out any moisture in the ports, buttons, speaker grills, and microphones. Hold the can a few inches away to avoid damage.
2. Absorb Remaining Moisture
Place your phone in a sealed bag or container with drying agents like silica gel packs, rice, or cat litter. These will help draw out lingering moisture over the next 24-48 hours.
Some other common household desiccants include chalk, couscous, instant oatmeal, and baking soda. Just don’t let any dust or debris get inside your phone.
3. Remove Case and Accessories
Take off any protective case, which can trap moisture against the iPhone’s body. Also remove any plugs from the ports and take out the SIM card.
Leave all these items out until fully dry to prevent reintroducing moisture to the phone.
4. Don’t Apply Heat
Avoid using any external heating methods like blow dryers, heat guns, or ovens. The intense heat can damage the iPhone’s internal components and external finishes.
Let your phone dry out slowly at room temperature for at least 24 hours.
5. Be Patient
It can take 1-3 days for your iPhone to thoroughly dry out. Longer drying times up to a week may be needed if the water exposure was more significant.
Periodically check for dryness before attempting to power on your device again. If it turns back on, you’ll still want to watch for potential issues over the next few days.
Other Drying Tips
Here are some additional pointers for ensuring you get your wet iPhone 12 Pro Max dry:
- Avoid using cotton swabs or towels to dry the phone, as these can leave behind fibers and lint.
- Don’t try to vacuum or suction the water, which can force it further inside.
- Re-dry your phone if you notice any internal moisture or corrosion returning.
- Contact Apple Support if you have concerns about your drying progress.
Restoring Functionality
Once your iPhone 12 Pro Max is fully dry, you’ll want to test its functionality. Here’s how to get it up and running again:
Update Software
Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version, as this can help resolve software errors caused by water exposure.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for and install updates.
Back Up Data
Do an iCloud or iTunes backup to preserve your data in case your phone stops working properly later on.
The backup also lets you easily transfer your content if you need to replace your device.
Check Key Functions
Verify that basic features are operational like the touchscreen, cameras, microphone, speakers, and vibration. Test call quality with a friend.
Open apps to confirm they launch without crashing. Check that data connectivity and battery life are normal.
Clean Out Ports
Use compressed air to blow out any remaining moisture from the lightning port, earpiece, and speakers. Avoid inserting any objects that could damage the ports.
Inspect for Corrosion
Examine your iPhone’s body and ports carefully for any signs of corrosion or rust. This can indicate lasting liquid damage requiring repair.
Replace Accessories
Any cables, chargers, or battery cases that also got wet will need to be thrown out and replaced. Using damp accessories risks damaging your iPhone.
Preventing Future Water Damage
To avoid repeating this drying ordeal, here are some tips to keep your iPhone 12 Pro Max water-free:
- Use a waterproof case when going near water.
- Don’t charge your phone near sinks or in humid rooms.
- Never shower or swim with your iPhone.
- Keep the phone away from toilets, bathtubs, and pools.
- Only use your phone in safe weather conditions.
- Turn off the phone immediately if it gets wet.
- Invest in AppleCare+ for coverage in case of accidents.
When to Seek Repair
If drying efforts don’t restore your iPhone 12 Pro Max to working order, take it to an authorized repair center for professional help. Water damage often requires specialized tools and methods to fix.
Seek repair help right away if you notice any of these issues after drying:
- Won’t power on
- Corroded charging port
- Cracked camera lens
- Blurry display with visible moisture
- Unresponsive buttons or touchscreen
- Distorted or muffled speakers
- Blurry rear camera
- Shortened battery life
Delaying repair risks permanent internal corrosion. Most technicians can determine if your iPhone is salvageable and give you a free diagnostic quote.
Professional Drying and Cleaning Services
For moderate to severe water damage, trust the pros for optimal results. Many repair shops offer emergency drying services with fees ranging from $20 to $100+ depending on the work needed.
Common professional drying and cleaning techniques include:
- Ultrasonic cleaning – High-frequency vibrations dissolve corrosion and contaminants.
- Isopropyl alcohol rinses – Flushes out mineral deposits and residues.
- Moisture mapping – Scans components for hidden liquid damage.
- Vacuum drying – Removes vapor residue from internal spaces.
- Contact cleaning – Restores corrosion-free connections.
Technicians have commercial-grade tools not available for home use. This gives your iPhone the best chance of a full recovery.
Should I Trade In or Replace My Water-Damaged iPhone?
If you receive confirmation from a repair technician that your iPhone 12 Pro Max is beyond economical repair, you may want to replace it. Apple may offer you a discounted replacement or trade-in credit.
Apple’s Out-of-Warranty Service fees for a replacement iPhone 12 Pro Max start around $549. With AppleCare+, replacement costs are reduced to $99 for screen damage or $299 for other damage.
Trading in your damaged device or recycling it allows you to properly dispose of it. You can put credit towards a brand new iPhone. Just be transparent about the water damage when submitting the trade-in request.
Conclusion
Getting moisture inside your iPhone 12 Pro Max can certainly cause some tense moments. But in many cases, you can successfully dry out a wet phone and get it working again using the right techniques. For more severe water exposure, professional repair services give you the best shot at saving your device.
With some luck and the proper drying methods, your iPhone 12 Pro Max may survive its water incident with minimal permanent damage. Just be sure to take precautions in the future to avoid a repeat soaking.