If you’ve accidentally gotten water or liquid under your iPhone screen, don’t panic! There are some simple steps you can take to try and remove the water and save your iPhone. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about getting water out from under your iPhone screen.
What causes water to get under the iPhone screen?
There are a few common ways that water can end up underneath an iPhone screen:
- Dropping the phone in water – This is the most obvious cause. If you drop your iPhone in a pool, toilet, or other body of water, water can seep into the phone.
- Using the phone in the rain – Using your iPhone outdoors in the rain, especially for prolonged periods, can lead to water getting into the phone.
- Spills & splashes – Accidentally spilling a drink on your iPhone or getting it splashed can allow liquid to get under the screen.
- Humidity & condensation – In some cases, humid environments or temperature changes causing condensation can result in moisture under the screen.
The iPhone is not waterproof, so any exposure to water or moisture creates a risk. The longer the exposure, the more water is likely to get under the screen and into internal components.
How can you tell if there’s water under the screen?
There are a few signs that indicate water has gotten into your iPhone and under the screen:
- Display issues – You may notice weird lines, distorted or discolored patches, flickering, or a visible water bubble underneath the screen.
- Touchscreen problems – The touchscreen may be unresponsive, react incorrectly, or not sense touch accurately.
- Speakers & microphone – You may hear muffled or quiet sound from the speakers. The microphone may stop working properly.
- Charging problems – Water can impact the charging port, causing the phone not to charge correctly.
- Moisture indicator – iPhones have a Liquid Contact Indicator sticker inside the SIM card slot. It will turn red if water is detected.
If you notice any of these issues, it’s very likely there is water trapped under the screen or inside the phone. The longer it stays there, the more damage it can cause over time due to corrosion.
How to get water out from under iPhone screen
If your iPhone has water or moisture trapped under the screen, here are some DIY methods you can try to remove it:
1. Dry it off
If your phone recently got wet, the first step is to dry it off as much as possible:
- Wipe down the screen and exterior with a soft, dry cloth or paper towel.
- If possible, use a compressed air canister to try and blow water out of any openings like the speakers or charging port.
- Pat the phone dry; don’t rub it as that can push water further into the phone.
Drying your iPhone off can help remove pooled moisture before it has a chance to get under the screen.
2. Absorb it with rice
Using rice is an old-school DIY method for absorbing moisture from a wet device. Here’s how to try it with an iPhone:
- Get a resealable bag or airtight container large enough to hold your iPhone.
- Fill the bag or container with uncooked dry white rice all around the phone.
- Optional – Place the phone on top of a towel or cloth to elevate it above the rice.
- Seal the bag/container and let the phone sit for at least 24 hours.
The rice will act as a natural desiccant, slowly drawing moisture away from your iPhone screen and internal components.
3. Use a desiccant pack
For a more powerful moisture absorber, use a desiccant packet instead of rice:
- Find a desiccant packet, like those found packaged with shoes, beef jerky, vitamins, etc.
- Place the desiccant pack and your iPhone in a sealed bag or airtight container.
- Let it sit for at least 12-24 hours so the pack can absorb water.
Desiccant packs contain moisture-absorbing silica gel and work more quickly and powerfully than rice to suck water away from your device.
4. Dry it with a hair dryer
Using indirect heat from a hair dryer can help evaporate any water or condensation trapped under the iPhone screen:
- Hold the hair dryer 6-8 inches from the phone and turn it on the lowest heat setting.
- Slowly move the dryer side to side over the phone, concentrating on the screen area.
- Keep the phone face down so the water evaporates instead of pushing further inward.
- Continue for 5-10 minutes until screen is fully dry.
Be very careful not to overheat the phone when using this method.
5. Use a moisture-absorbing bag
There are special moisture-absorbing bags designed to dry out wet devices:
- Find a dry-out bag made for phones, tablets, or other electronics.
- Put your iPhone in the designated pouch along with the bags’ drying agent.
- Seal the bag and let the phone sit for at least 24-48 hours.
These bags have an inner lining that prevents moisture from re-entering the phone. They can be more effective than rice or desiccant packs.
6. Open the phone and clean it
For severe water damage under the screen, you may need to open the phone and clean the interior:
- Power off the phone, open the casing, and disconnect the battery.
- Inspect connectors and ports for water; dry them with compressed air.
- Clean corrosion from any connections using isopropyl alcohol.
- Let the phone’s interior dry out for at least 24-48 hours.
Warning: Only open your iPhone if you are comfortable doing so. Seek professional help if needed.
Other quick tips for drying an iPhone
Along with the methods above, here are a few other quick things you can try to dry out a wet iPhone and remove water from under the screen:
- Do NOT try to charge a wet iPhone, as that can damage it.
- Avoid using heat sources like radiators, stoves, or microwaves to dry the phone.
- Don’t press the home button or power button if wet; this can short circuit the phone.
- Remove any case and film protectors – these can trap moisture against the phone.
- Avoid abrasively rubbing the screen when wet, only use light dabbing motions.
- Be patient – it can take over 24 hours for liquid to fully evaporate from an iPhone.
When to seek professional iPhone repair
If you’ve tried these troubleshooting tips and are still experiencing issues with your iPhone, it may be time to seek professional repair:
- Display or touchscreen still not working properly
- Buttons, speakers, or microphone malfunctioning
- Phone won’t charge or hold charge
- Lingering moisture or condensation under screen
- Corrosion visible on interior components
Many repair shops offer affordable options to diagnose iPhone water damage, dry out the device, and replace any damaged parts. Seeking help sooner rather than later can increase the chances of saving your iPhone.
How to prevent water damage to your iPhone
To avoid needing to dry out your iPhone in the first place, here are some tips to keep it safe from water:
- Use a waterproof case – There are many affordable waterproof cases that can protect your iPhone in wet situations.
- Avoid excessive humidity – Don’t leave your iPhone in very humid places like bathrooms that can cause condensation.
- Keep away from sinks & pools – Be very careful around bodies of water and aware of splash risks.
- Never shower or bathe with your phone – Even steam can damage an iPhone over time.
- Repair cracked screens – Cracks allow moisture to get inside much more easily.
- Insure your device – Phone insurance can offset the cost if your iPhone does get water damaged.
Conclusion
Dealing with water or liquid under your iPhone screen can be annoying, but taking quick action improves your chances of saving the device. Try drying methods like rice, desiccants, heated air, or moisture-absorbing bags. If issues persist, seek professional assistance for interior cleaning and repairs before permanent damage occurs. With proper care and precautions, you can avoid water damage to your iPhone and the need for drying it out.