If your iPhone has been exposed to water, it’s important to quickly determine if it has been damaged in order to take the proper steps. Here are some signs that can indicate water damage to an iPhone:
It Doesn’t Turn On
One of the most obvious signs of water damage is that your iPhone won’t turn on at all when you press the power button. If your phone was working normally before the water exposure and then stops powering on afterward, it’s very likely the water caused internal damage.
Speakers or Microphone Stop Working
Water can damage the delicate electronic components in the iPhone’s speakers and microphone. If audio seems muffled or stops working completely after water exposure, it’s a sign of damage.
Charging Issues
If your iPhone won’t charge or hold a charge after getting wet, water has probably reached the charging port or battery. Corrosion from water can prevent an electrical connection necessary for charging.
Blurry Rear Camera
The rear camera on iPhones is vulnerable to water damage. If your photos suddenly become blurry or unfocused after exposing your phone to moisture, it could mean water got inside the camera hardware.
Condensation Under Screen
Look closely at your iPhone’s screen in a brightly lit area. If you notice condensation or fogging under the surface, water has gotten inside your phone and reached internal components.
Flickering, Unresponsive, or Distorted Screen
If part of your iPhone’s screen stops working, responds irregularly to touch, or shows distorted visuals after getting wet, it indicates water caused screen or logic board damage.
Rattling or Bubbling Sounds
Excess moisture inside your iPhone can make strange sounds like rattling or bubbling noises, especially if you shake it. This happens when water is interfering with the phone’s internal components.
Sim Card Reader Problems
If your iPhone isn’t recognizing your sim card suddenly after water exposure, it’s likely due to corrosion or damage to the sim card slot from moisture. Try cleaning the slot carefully with isopropyl alcohol.
Headphone Jack Issues
The headphone jack is prone to water damage on iPhones. If a wired headset suddenly stops working or audio cuts in and out from the headphone port after exposure to moisture, water is the likely cause.
Corrosion Around Buttons
Check closely for any white, crusty residue around the iPhone’s buttons, charging port, or sim slot. Corrosion like this indicates water has reached the iPhone’s internal parts and caused oxidation damage.
Malfunctioning Apps
If multiple apps start freezing, crashing, or running unusually slow after your iPhone got wet, water may have reached the logic board and processor causing them to malfunction.
Poor Battery Life
Water exposure can damage an iPhone’s battery and charging components, resulting in much faster battery drain after getting wet. Severely reduced battery life indicates possible water damage.
No Sound From Earpiece
Make a phone call and check if the earpiece speaker still works normally. If calls are totally silent when you move the phone to your ear after exposure to moisture, it suggests water in the earpiece speaker.
How Do I Dry a Wet iPhone?
If your iPhone has been exposed to moisture, it’s important to dry it thoroughly and quickly. Here are some safe steps to dry a wet iPhone:
- Immediately power off the iPhone. Don’t try charging it while wet.
- Do not use a hairdryer or other heat source to dry the phone.
- Pat the outside with a soft lint-free cloth to soak up excess moisture.
- Use a can of compressed air to blow out any droplets in the ports, buttons, and speakers.
- Place the iPhone in front of a fan on low speed to air dry for at least 24 hours.
- Insert a moisture-absorbing pack in a sealed bag or container with the phone.
- Once fully dried, try charging the iPhone to see if it powers on normally.
When to Avoid Drying a Wet iPhone
In some cases, you should avoid drying a wet iPhone and stop using it immediately:
- If it was submerged in salt water, quickly rinse with fresh water before air drying.
- Avoid heat to dry it if the phone feels hot, which indicates short circuit damage.
- Do not try to charge it if there are signs of moisture in the charging port.
- Stop drying if you notice distorted visuals, unusual sounds, or leaking battery acid.
How to Clean Corrosion after Water Damage
If your iPhone shows signs of oxidation and corrosion after getting wet, follow these steps to clean it:
- Power off iPhone and avoid charging until corrosion is removed.
- Use a toothpick or soft brush to gently scrape off any white, crusty deposits.
- Apply a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to corroded areas using a cotton swab.
- Rub gently and repeat with new swabs until all residue is gone.
- Dry the cleaned area thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.
- Do not get moisture into any openings during cleaning.
How to Save a Wet iPhone
If your iPhone has been damaged by water, prompt action can sometimes save it and recover lost data. Recommended tips include:
- Immediately dry it as much as possible with fans, rice, etc.
- Backup data from iCloud if iPhone still powers on.
- Disable Face ID in settings to allow access if screen damaged.
- Contact Apple support about out-of-warranty water damage repair.
- Use data recovery software if phone won’t turn on.
- Seek professional data recovery if DIY methods don’t work.
Does iPhone Warranty Cover Water Damage?
Unfortunately, Apple’s standard iPhone warranty does not cover any water damage to the device. Liquid contact indicators inside the phone change color if exposed to moisture, voiding water damage coverage.
You can pay for AppleCare+ extended warranty for iPhone at time of purchase, which provides up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage each subject to a service fee. However, Always make sure to read Apple’s terms for eligible water damage claims under AppleCare+.
Does iPhone Insurance Cover Water Damage?
Most iPhone insurance plans provide coverage for water damage, but the details differ between providers. Here are some things to consider when choosing iPhone insurance for water damage protection:
- Review policy terms to verify water damage is explicitly covered.
- Check if there is a deductible fee per claim you must pay.
- See what conditions apply such as phone model eligibility.
- Determine if theft/loss is also included along with water damage.
- Compare premium costs between insurance providers.
Reputable insurance companies like SquareTrade are a good option for iPhone water damage protection beyond the standard warranty.
Can Rice Fix a Wet iPhone?
Placing an iPhone in a bowl of rice is a popular internet suggestion for drying out water damage. Here is an overview of using rice to fix a wet iPhone:
- Rice can help absorb ambient moisture from the iPhone, but does not remove water stuck internally.
- Bury phone fully in rice for at least 24-48 hours to maximize drying effect.
- Rice won’t be effective if iPhone was submerged or has corroded components.
- Use dry white rice; brown rice or instant rice contain less starch to absorb moisture.
- Packing rice tightly around the iPhone speeds up water absorption.
- Rice may be less effective than silica gel or desiccant packs for drying.
While rice can help dry an iPhone externally, it is not a cure-all for fixing internal water damage. Seek professional help if rice drying does not restore iPhone functionality.
Does Putting an iPhone in Rice Work?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Dries excess moisture on surface | Does not fix internal water damage |
| Absorbs ambient humidity | Less effective for submerged iPhones |
| Prevents corrosion with drying | May already be too late if corroded |
| Simple and easy DIY method | Requires 24+ hours drying time |
| Cheap and readily available | Not as effective as silica for drying |
Based on the pros and cons, putting an iPhone in rice can help dry it out slightly in some cases but does not repair internal water damage. It should not be relied on as the only method to fix a wet iPhone.
Should I Put My Wet iPhone in Rice Overnight?
Here are some tips on drying a wet iPhone in rice overnight:
- Make sure to turn iPhone off before placing in rice.
- Bury iPhone fully in a bowl of dry white rice.
- Pack rice tightly around the phone to maximize contact.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap secured with a rubber band.
- Leave iPhone in rice for at least 24 hours, longer if very wet.
- Check for moisture in ports before removing from rice.
- Do not attempt to charge iPhone until completely dry.
While rice can help draw out ambient moisture, leaving a wet iPhone in rice for too long can cause oxidation if water remains internally. If it still shows signs of damage after overnight drying, seek professional repair assistance.
Conclusion
Determining water damage on an iPhone can help prompt next steps like drying, cleaning corrosion, repair, or data recovery. At the first sign of moisture, dry your iPhone as much as possible with fans, rice, or desiccant packets. For iPhone drying tips, water damage coverage from Apple or insurance, and other ways to potentially recover a wet iPhone, use the information provided in this guide.