Having your iPhone accidentally exposed to water or liquid can be a scary situation. Water can cause serious damage to the internal components of your iPhone and make it stop working properly. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take right away to try and fix an iPhone that has gotten wet.
What to do if your iPhone gets wet
If your iPhone has been exposed to water, it is important to act quickly. Here are the steps to take:
- Remove your iPhone from the water source immediately.
- Turn off your iPhone by pressing and holding the side or volume button until the power off slider appears. This helps prevent electrical shorts.
- Do not try to charge your wet iPhone as this can cause damage.
- Dry the outside of your iPhone with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Do not try to dry the inside ports or openings.
- Do not use things like a hairdryer or oven to dry your iPhone.
- Do not place your iPhone in rice or other drying agents.
Assess the water damage
Once you have dried the outside of your iPhone, inspect it for signs of liquid damage. Here are some things to look for:
- Check if any moisture or condensation is visible in the camera, speakers, charging port, headphone jack, etc.
- Test the speakers and earpiece to see if sound is muffled.
- Plug in headphones and test audio quality.
- Check if touchscreen and buttons are responsive.
- Examine device for any corroded areas or residue.
- Turn iPhone back on and test its main functions.
If you notice any issues like foggy camera, unresponsive buttons, no audio, or problems charging, then liquid has likely reached the internal circuitry and caused some damage.
Dry out your iPhone thoroughly
It is important to dry out your iPhone as much as possible after water exposure. Here are some tips:
- Lightly shake your iPhone to remove trapped water in openings.
- Leave your iPhone in a dry, well-ventilated area for at least 24 hours.
- You can also place your iPhone in front of a fan blowing room-temperature air.
- Insert a moisture-absorbing pack or silica gel packs in a bag or container with your iPhone.
- Do not use external heat sources like hairdryers which can damage the phone.
The more you can remove lingering moisture, the better chance your iPhone has of drying out completely.
Clean out and dry charging ports
It is very important to thoroughly dry out the iPhone’s charging port after water exposure. Built up moisture here can prevent your device from charging or syncing.
- Use a can of compressed air to spray out any water in the charging port.
- Clean out the port with a toothpick or soft brush to remove debris.
- Swab the port gently with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
- Use a hairdryer on the lowest setting to gently blow warm air into the port.
- When fully dry, try plugging in the charger cable and unplugging a few times.
Make sure the charging port is completely dry before trying to charge your iPhone again.
Remove and dry SIM card tray
Moisture can also accumulate under the SIM card tray. Follow these instructions:
- Locate the SIM card tray ejector hole.
- Insert a paperclip into the hole to pop out the tray.
- Gently dry the SIM card and tray.
- Let the SIM tray slot dry out completely before reinserting.
Drying out this component prevents further moisture damage inside your iPhone.
Check inside case and screen
You’ll also want to open up your iPhone if possible to dry out the interior in case water seeped inside:
- If you have the tools, follow a guide to open your iPhone model safely.
- Use a dry soft cloth to wipe out any moisture inside the phone.
- Pay special attention around buttons, speaker and board areas.
- Let the inside sit in front of a fan blowing air for at least a few hours.
Take care when opening your iPhone to avoid any further damage. Only open it if you are experienced with electronics.
When to get professional help
If your iPhone shows no sign of functioning after trying the steps above, you likely have internal water damage. It is best to take it for professional service. Here are some signs it is time for repair help:
- Phone does not power on at all, even after drying.
- Display is unresponsive or shows graphical glitches.
- Buttons and touchscreen are not working.
- Speakers have no sound or very low/muffled sound.
- Camera image looks foggy and blurred.
- Battery is not charging properly.
A tech repair shop can take apart your iPhone, diagnose issues, dry out components, and possibly replace damaged parts. This gives you the best chance of salvaging a water damaged iPhone.
Professional water damage repair options
Here are some professional-grade options for fixing an iPhone with water damage:
| Repair Method | Details | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Disassembly cleaning | Technician takes apart iPhone, cleans with isopropyl alcohol, dries out components. | $60-$100 |
| Ultrasonic cleaning | Uses ultrasonic waves and cleaning solution to dislodge contaminants. | $30-$60 |
| Vacuum drying | Water is extracted using a specialized vacuum system. | $40-$80 |
| Component replacement | Damaged parts like logic board or battery are swapped out. | $60-$150+ |
The cost can vary depending on your iPhone model and extent of the water damage. Component-level repairs are more expensive but can revive an iPhone with significant liquid damage.
Preventing water damage to iPhones
To avoid having to fix a water damaged iPhone again, be mindful of these precautions:
- Keep your iPhone away from sinks, tubs, pools, puddles and other wet areas.
- Never use your iPhone in the rain without protection.
- Invest in a waterproof phone case if you will have wet exposure.
- Turn off your iPhone and remove from wet situations right away.
- Handle your iPhone carefully to avoid accidental drops into liquid.
- Keep food and drinks away from your iPhone.
- Do not shower or bathe with your iPhone.
While the latest iPhones have improved water resistance, they are not invincible to liquid damage. Take steps to prevent exposing your iPhone to moisture in the first place.
Conclusion
If your iPhone gets wet, take quick action by drying it off, cleaning ports, letting it air dry, and getting professional help if needed. This can prevent permanent water damage and save your iPhone. Be extra careful to keep your iPhone away from water to avoid issues.
