What to do immediately after dropping your iPhone in water
The first thing you should do if you accidentally drop your iPhone in water is retrieve it quickly. The longer your iPhone sits submerged, the more damage the water can cause. As soon as you’ve fished your iPhone out of the water, turn it off immediately by pressing and holding the side or top button until the power off slider appears on screen. Turning your phone off right away helps minimize short circuiting that can happen from water getting into the device while it’s still on and powered up.
You’ll also want to avoid pressing any buttons or charging your iPhone after pulling it out of the water. Both of these actions can send electricity through water-logged components and cause further damage. Just power it down and leave it be for now.
Remove all detachable parts from the iPhone
The next step is to remove any parts of the iPhone that you can. This includes detaching cables, cases, screen protectors, or any other accessories that are non-essential to the iPhone’s core function. Removing external pieces prevents excess water from being trapped inside crevices or nooks.
Be sure to gently shake out water from any ports, slots, or openings as you detach each part. Avoid blowing compressed air into the ports, as this can push water further into the device. Use a microfiber cloth to lightly pat or dab connector points dry.
Dry the iPhone as much as possible
After disassembling all detachable components, it’s time to dry the iPhone. Use a clean, soft lint-free cloth to gently blot up any water on the surface of the device. Avoid rubbing, which can push water into tiny openings.
You can also place the iPhone in front of a fan or air vent to speed up drying time. Just make sure to keep the fan on a low setting to avoid blowing components around inside the device. Placing the iPhone in direct sunlight can also warm it up and evaporate residual moisture.
Do not attempt to dry your iPhone in an oven, microwave, or other heating device. The extreme heat can melt internal parts and cause irreversible damage. Air drying is the safest method.
Use desiccants to absorb moisture
For an extra drying boost, you can place your iPhone in a sealable bag or airtight container along with desiccant packs. Desiccants are moisture-absorbing substances that help remove water vapor from the air inside the container.
Some common desiccants are:
– Silica gel packs – These are those little “Do Not Eat” packets that come in shoeboxes and beef jerky bags. The beads adsorb moisture.
– Uncooked rice – Rice grains act as tiny sponges to absorb water. Pour some into a bowl or bag with your iPhone.
– Chalk – The porous structure of calcium sulfate (chalk) effectively traps humidity.
Replacing the desiccant packs daily helps maximize moisture removal. Leave your iPhone in the container for at least 24 hours before taking it out. The desiccants will help draw out any water still trapped inside.
Clean corrosion from the iPhone’s ports
After thorough drying, inspect the iPhone’s ports and connectors for any corrosion or residue left behind by the water. Corrosion occurs when water reacts with the metal contacts and forms oxidized compounds that interfere with the connection.
To clean corrosion, you’ll need isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush or cotton swabs. Gently scrub the alcohol over corrosion spots using the toothbrush or swab. Wipe away any detached buildup with a cloth. Be careful not to scrub too hard, as this can further damage the ports.
You can also use electronic contact cleaner spray to dissolve corrosion and displacement grease to lubricate and protect the ports after cleaning. Just spray a small amount into each port, let it sit for a few minutes, then gently wipe away.
Do not attempt to power on your iPhone until fully dry
No matter how impatient you feel, do NOT attempt to switch your iPhone back on until you are 100% certain no moisture remains inside. Powering on water-logged electronics can cause short circuiting, screen glitches, battery problems, and permanent internal damage.
Wait at least 24-48 hours after drying before reconnecting the battery and pressing the power button. It’s better to wait a few days and be absolutely sure than risk further frying your device. When in doubt, wait it out!
Inspect your iPhone for signs of water damage
Once sufficiently dried out, the next step is to closely inspect your iPhone for any signs of water damage. Here are some things to look out for:
– Corrosion around ports, buttons, or SIM tray
– Glitchy/flickering screen display
– Fogging or condensation under camera lens
– Muffled/low speaker volume
– Unresponsive buttons or features
– Battery charging issues
If you notice any of these warning signs, it likely indicates water made its way into delicate internal parts. You may need to visit a repair shop or replace damaged components.
Test basic functions before full use
Before you consider your iPhone revived and good to go, do some basic function tests:
– Turn it on – The device should power on normally without any buzzing, crackling, or sizzling noises.
– Check the display – Look for any pixelation, discoloration, flickering, or unresponsive spots indicating water damaged screens.
– Test touchscreen – Open apps and tap around the screen to ensure full responsiveness.
– Push all buttons – Home button, volume, lock button should click and work properly.
– Connect to charger – Battery should charge up normally without overheating.
– Speakers & microphones – Make calls and play media to check sound quality.
– Cameras – Open front and back cameras to check for fogginess or glitches.
– Ports – Plug in headphones and charging cables to test connectivity.
If everything checks out, you can comfortably return to normal iPhone use! But if issues arise during testing, it’s best to take it in for professional inspection. Internal damage may require repair or replacement.
Use moisture-absorbing accessories
Even after your iPhone survives a dunk, ongoing moisture inside can lead to problems down the road. Consider using moisture-absorbing accessories to keep your iPhone dry long-term:
– Dry packs – These moisture-absorbing gel packs stick onto your phone.
– Waterproof case – A good protective case seals out liquid.
– Dehumidifier beads – These absorb humidity inside the case.
– Silica packs – Throw a few into your phone’s storage bag.
Taking preventative measures ensures no lingering liquid takes your phone down later on.
Have a repair technician diagnose serious issues
If significant water damage is evident after inspection and testing, it’s best to seek professional repair. A technician can diagnose underlying issues and properly replace any corroded components. Don’t hesitate to visit a repair shop if you observe:
– Bad battery life even after drying
– Muffled speakers or microphone
– Distorted sound quality
– Unresponsive buttons or ports
– Cracked screen glitches or flickering
Serious internal damage often requires soldering work, software recalibration, part replacement. A qualified repair technician has the skills and tools to safely perform these fixes.
Clean up liquid damage right away
In the future, if you accidentally spill liquid on your iPhone or submerge it again, make sure to clean it up immediately. Here are some tips:
– Wipe off any standing liquid gently with a cloth. Don’t rub it around.
– If sticky, use isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab to dissolve the residue.
– Avoid getting moisture in openings. Use a toothpick to pull out visible beads.
– Dry it thoroughly withfan air and place in rice overnight to extract moisture.
– Watch closely for signs of corrosion or malfunction developing.
– Visit a repair shop at first signs of damage before it worsens.
Acting quickly helps minimize the mess and damage, increasing chances of a full recovery.
Use a waterproof case as prevention
The best way to handle water damage is to prevent it entirely with a waterproof case. Here are top options to safeguard your iPhone:
| Case | Protection Level | Price |
|---|---|---|
| LifeProof FRE | Submersion up to 6.6 feet | $79.99 |
| Otterbox Defender | Withstands drops, dust, and snow | $59.95 |
| Hitcase Pro | Waterproof up to 33 feet | $99.99 |
A quality waterproof case gives you peace of mind if you tend to hang out around pools, beaches, lakes, and other wet environments. Never get caught off guard by a splash again!
Conclusion
While water damage is one of the most common iPhone injuries, it doesn’t have to become a fatal one. With some smart troubleshooting techniques and moisture prevention, you can rescue your iPhone from its sinking fate.
The key steps include:
– Shutting it down immediately after water contact
– Drying thoroughly with fans, sunlight, rice, and desiccants
– Cleaning corrosion from ports with alcohol
– Checking for internal damage like glitchy screens
– Having repairs done professionally if needed
– Using protective cases and moisture-absorbers ongoingly
Armed with these tips, you can keep your iPhone swimming happily for years to come. Just mind where you set it down on the pool deck.
