If you’ve accidentally gotten your iPhone wet, don’t panic! There are a few simple steps you can take to try and remove any liquid that may have gotten inside your device.
Immediately Power Off Your iPhone
As soon as you realize your iPhone has gotten wet, the first thing you’ll want to do is power it off. Press and hold the side or top button (depending on your model) until the “slide to power off” prompt appears, then swipe to power down. Turning your device off helps prevent short circuits and fires that can be caused by liquid interacting with the phone’s electronic components while powered on.
Why You Should Power Off Immediately
Powering off your iPhone isolates the components and prevents electricity from flowing through wet parts. This can minimize damage to sensitive chips, boards, and connectors inside your iPhone.
Dry the Outside of Your iPhone
Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently blot away any liquid on the outside of your iPhone. Be sure to pat it dry rather than rubbing it, which could push more liquid into the device. An eyeglasses cleaning cloth works well for this. Continue lightly patting your iPhone with the cloth until you’ve removed as much external moisture as possible.
Avoid Using Compressed Air
Do not attempt to dry out your iPhone with compressed air, as this could push water further into small crevices. Stick to gentle patting with an absorbent cloth instead.
Remove Your iPhone’s Case
If your iPhone was in a case when it got wet, take the case off to dry out both pieces thoroughly. Carefully inspect your iPhone for any trapped moisture underneath the case. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away any wetness on the iPhone or case.
Leave Case Off Until Fully Dry
Even if your case appears dry on the outside, it could still contain moisture inside. Leave the case off your iPhone until you are certain both devices are completely dry to prevent reintroducing moisture.
Do Not Use Rice or Silica Gel
You may have heard advice to place wet iPhones in rice or silica gel to draw moisture out, but this is not recommended. Rice and silica gel are desiccants, meaning they draw moisture into themselves. They will not sufficiently dry out the interior components of your iPhone.
Risks of Rice and Silica Gel
Small particles from rice or silica gel could enter the ports and crevices of your iPhone, causing further issues. These substances are not optimized to absorb enough liquid to adequately dry out an iPhone’s interior.
Consider Using a Desiccant Pack
While rice and silica gel are not ideal, you can use a desiccant pack specifically designed for drying out wet electronics. These packs contain ultra-absorbent material that pulls moisture away from delicate components.
To use a desiccant pack:
- Activate the pack per its instructions.
- Place your powered-off iPhone and desiccant pack together in an airtight zipper bag.
- Seal the bag and leave it at room temperature for at least 24 hours.
The desiccant pack will gradually draw moisture out of your iPhone without letting in debris that could cause further issues.
Other Drying Options
A desiccant pack is your best bet for drying out an iPhone’s interior, but you can also place your powered-off iPhone in front of a fan or leave it to air dry in a dry environment for 24-48 hours.
Clean Ports and Buttons
Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to gently clean out the ports and buttons on your iPhone. This helps displace any remaining moisture left in small crevices.
Dip the cotton swab in alcohol and twist it to wring out any excess liquid before inserting it into ports or pressing into buttons. Be very gentle when swabbing ports.
Ports to Clean
- Lightning or Dock Connector
- Headphone Jack
- Microphone and Speaker
Buttons to Clean
- Volume Buttons
- Side/Top Button
- Mute Switch
Do Not Attempt to Charge
Until your iPhone is completely dry, do not attempt to charge it by plugging it in. This could cause short circuiting or damage to the charging port if moisture is still present.
Let It Dry First
Be patient and allow your iPhone to air dry fully before attempting to power it back on or plug it in. This protects the sensitive charging components from electrical issues.
Power Back On and Test
Once your iPhone appears dry and you’ve cleaned the ports, attempt to power it back on. If it successfully turns on, try testing the speakers, microphone, camera, and other functions to check for issues.
If you experience functionality problems, you may need to take your iPhone to an Apple store or repair shop for servicing. Be prepared that liquid damage may not be fully reversible.
Backup Valuable Data First
If your iPhone powers on correctly, immediately backup any important data in case liquid problems emerge later. Better safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your photos, notes, and other irreplaceable information.
Use Moisture-Absorbing Packets
Even if your iPhone seems to be working after drying out, place it in a sealed bag with several moisture-absorbing packs for 24-48 hours. This helps grab any remaining trace moisture inside the device.
Some types of recommended moisture-absorbing packets include:
| Packet Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Disposable desiccant packs | One-use packs filled with silica gel or other material to absorb moisture. |
| Rechargeable desiccant packs | Can be “recharged” by drying in the oven after use to absorb moisture again. |
| Moisture-absorbing beads | Loose beads in a container, which can also be recharged by drying. |
Keep using fresh moisture-absorbing packs as needed if any dampness remains in your iPhone.
Check for Corrosion
If your iPhone was exposed to liquid for a prolonged period, inspect the charging port and headphone jack for any signs of corrosion. Look for green or white buildup on the metal contacts.
Corrosion occurs when conductive metals are oxidized through exposure to moisture. This can interrupt the flow of electricity and cause functionality problems.
Cleaning Corrosion
Use a wooden or plastic toothpick to gently scrape away any corrosion residue buildup from the charging port or headphone jack contacts. Avoid using anything metal for scraping.
You can also try using alcohol and a cotton swab to remove corrosion and allow better electrical connectivity.
When to Seek Repair
If drying out your iPhone does not restore proper functionality, it likely has internal liquid damage that requires professional repair:
- Distorted or non-functioning speakers/microphone
- Button and switch issues
- Problem charging
- Camera failures
- Screen glitches or unresponsiveness
Seek help from an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple Store. They can diagnose issues and may be able to replace damaged parts if possible.
Liquid Damage Diagnostics
Apple technicians have tools to check for short circuits and corrosion inside your iPhone caused by liquid exposure. This helps them pinpoint which components need to be replaced during repair.
Consider Waterproof Cases
After recovering from liquid damage, protect your repaired or replaced iPhone with a waterproof case for the future. Waterproof cases completely seal the iPhone and prevent moisture ingress.
Some top waterproof iPhone case brands include:
- LifeProof
- Otterbox
- JOTO
- Ghostek
This safeguards your investment and saves you from going through iPhone liquid damage again.
Read Case Reviews
Be sure to read reviews before selecting a waterproof iPhone case. Check that it has been tested thoroughly for full water protection according to its rating.
Use a Waterproof Pouch
For lightweight occasional water protection, use a waterproof pouch or bag designed for phones when going to the beach, pool, or boating. These provide basic water shielding at lower cost.
Some popular waterproof phone pouch brands include:
- JOTO
- Mearth
- Universal Waterproof Case
- FRiEQ
Pouches are good for temporary protection during activities with low-risk water exposure. Fully waterproof cases provide higher levels of protection.
Closure System
Look for pouches with strong, tight closure systems to keep them securely sealed. Test the pouch before use by placing a tissue inside and submerging it underwater while sealed.
Avoid Exposing iPhone to Liquids
To prevent water damage incidents, avoid exposing your iPhone to liquids when possible:
- Keep drinks away from iPhone
- Do not use phone in rain or wet conditions
- Never shower or bathe with phone
- Turn off and stow phone when near bodies of water
Be careful not to spill any liquids onto your iPhone. Always keep it away from moisture to avoid issues.
With proper precautions, you can avoid the hassle of dealing with an iPhone that has been in contact with liquids.