Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about getting water out of an iPhone:
How do I dry out a wet iPhone?
Turn off the iPhone, wipe off excess moisture with a cloth, and place the iPhone in front of a fan or in a sealed bag with silica gel packs to absorb moisture.
Does rice actually work to dry an iPhone?
Yes, placing the iPhone in a bowl of uncooked rice can help absorb moisture. Make sure the ports are facing up and leave it for at least 24 hours.
What should I do if my iPhone got wet?
Immediately turn off the iPhone, shake out excess water if possible, and dry it thoroughly with a cloth. Don’t try to charge it until completely dry.
How Water Can Damage an iPhone
iPhones are electronic devices that can be damaged when exposed to water. Here are some of the main ways that water can damage an iPhone:
Short Circuits
Water can cause short circuits in the iPhone’s electronic components. This disrupts the flow of electricity and can lead to malfunctions or permanent damage. Even small amounts of water can bridge connections on the logic board and other components, resulting in shorts.
Corrosion
The metals and other conductive materials in an iPhone can corrode or oxidize when exposed to water. This degrades the contacts and connections, potentially interrupting signals and power to various components.
Failed Sensors
Many of the sensors in an iPhone, like the proximity sensor and ambient light sensor, can fail if they get wet. This affects various iPhone features that rely on sensor input to operate properly.
Degraded Speakers and Microphones
The speakers and microphone have delicate membranes that can be damaged by moisture. This leads to muffled or distorted sound quality from these components.
How to Dry Out a Wet iPhone
If your iPhone has been exposed to water, it’s important to dry it out as quickly as possible to have the best chance of saving it. Here are some recommended methods to dry out a wet iPhone:
Immediately Power Off
As soon as your iPhone gets wet, turn it off immediately. This will help prevent shorts and further damage from occurring while powered on. Press and hold the side or top button to power it down.
Remove From Case
Take the iPhone out of any case or accessory that’s holding water against the device. Removing it allows more airflow to dry out the iPhone.
Dry Exterior
Use a clean, soft lint-free cloth to gently dry the outside of the iPhone, including the charging port. Carefully dry any accessible crevices and openings.
Absorb Moisture
Place the iPhone in a sealed bag or container with silica gel packs, which will help draw moisture out. Packets of uncooked rice also work. Let it sit for at least 24 hours.
Increase Airflow
Point a fan directly at the iPhone to speed up evaporation. You can also leave it near a dehumidifier or in a dry, sunny spot.
Avoid Heat
Don’t try drying with an external heat source like a hairdryer, which could overheat the iPhone and cause further damage.
Tips for Drying an iPhone with Rice
One of the most popular methods for drying out a wet iPhone is to bury it in uncooked rice. Here are some tips for effective drying with rice:
Use Instant Rice
Instant or minute rice works best as it is more absorbent than regular rice. The rice grains draw moisture away from the iPhone.
Fill Bowl Generously
Submerge the iPhone fully in a bowl filled with at least 2 cups of dry rice. More rice equals more drying power.
Cover Openings
Position the iPhone so any openings like the charging port face up to prevent rice from getting inside. You can use a soft toothpick to clear ports.
Seal Container
For best results, seal the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid to contain the rice and moisture absorption.
Let Sit 24+ Hours
Give the rice plenty of time to work – at least 24 hours. Longer (up to 3 days) is better for severe water exposure.
Check Progress
Shake the iPhone to dislodge any remaining rice stuck in crevices before removing from the rice.
Alternative Drying Methods
In addition to rice, there are some other clever drying methods you can try if rice is not available:
Silica Gel Packs
These moisture-absorbing packs work similarly to rice to extract water from the iPhone.
Cat Litter
The granules in clean, unused cat litter can absorb water too. Bury the iPhone in a sealed box of litter.
Paper Towels
Wrapping the iPhone tightly in dry paper towels helps wick moisture away.
Sunlight
The heat from the sun speeds up evaporation. Place the wrapped iPhone in direct sunlight.
What Not to Do
It’s also important to avoid these common mistakes when trying to rescue a wet iPhone:
Don’t Power On
Don’t try to turn on the iPhone when wet. This can short-circuit components and make repairs more difficult.
Don’t Use Hairdryer
High heat can damage the iPhone’s components. Let it air dry instead.
Don’t Charge
Wait until thoroughly dry before attempting to charge. Charging when wet risks short-circuiting.
Don’t Close in Rice
Don’t tightly seal the iPhone in a container with rice, as it needs airflow to effectively dry out.
When to Get Professional Help
If you’ve tried these drying methods without success, it may be time to seek professional help. Consider taking your iPhone to a repair shop if:
It shows signs of permanent water damage
Examples include no power, distorted sound, blurred camera, flickering display, or corroded charging port.
It won’t power on after drying
If it remains unresponsive even after thorough drying, there is likely internal water damage.
It begins behaving erratically after drying
Glitchy, inconsistent performance can indicate components affected by moisture.
It was exposed to liquid other than water
Chemicals and corrosive liquids can damage the iPhone differently than water.
It was submerged extensively
Deep water exposure for over 30 minutes requires professional attention to avoid permanent damage.
iPhone Water Damage Repair Options
Repair shops have a few options to fix an iPhone with water damage:
Component level repair
This involves cleaning corrosion, reseating components, and replacing damaged ports or parts like the speaker or charging port.
Logic board repair
If there are shorts on the logic board, microsoldering can replace damaged chips and traces.
Full device replacement
For severe damage beyond repair, complete iPhone replacement may be most cost-effective.
Preventing Water Damage
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to iPhone water damage. Here are some tips to keep your iPhone safe from liquids:
Use a case
A waterproof case creates an extra barrier against moisture.
Avoid water exposure
Keep the iPhone away from sinks, tubs, pools, and other wet areas.
Never charge near water
Only use the charger in dry locations to prevent electric shocks.
Dry hands before use
Wipe wet hands to avoid transferring moisture when handling your iPhone.
Inspect seals regularly
Check that rubber seals around openings like the SIM tray aren’t compromised or missing.
Keep rice/silica gel packs
Have these drying agents ready in case your iPhone does get wet.
Conclusion
Getting moisture inside your iPhone can cause serious damage, but quick action can often save it. Turn off and dry out the iPhone as much as possible, use rice or other absorbent materials, and avoid heat or charging it while wet. If drying efforts fail, professional repairs may be needed. With care and safe handling, you can avoid the headache of iPhone water damage in the first place.