Having an iPhone that has been damaged by water can be very stressful. The good news is that it may be possible to revive your iPhone XR after water damage if you take the right steps. In this 5000 word guide, we will walk through everything you need to know about turning on an iPhone XR after water damage.
Can an iPhone XR work after being in water?
Yes, it is possible for an iPhone XR to still work after being exposed to water, but it depends on the situation. Here are some key factors that determine if an iPhone can be revived after water damage:
- How long was the iPhone in the water – The less time it was submerged, the better the chances
- How deep was the water – Deeper water puts more pressure that can push water into openings
- Was the iPhone on or off – A turned off iPhone has a better chance since there is less electronic activity
- How quickly was the phone dried – Quickly drying the phone helps prevent short circuits
- Was the water clean or contaminated – Pure water reduces mineral deposits and corrosion
If the iPhone was only exposed to water briefly and was quickly dried, there is a good chance it will still work. But the longer it was in water, the lower the chances. Follow the steps ahead to give your iPhone XR the best chance of turning back on.
Step 1: Remove the SIM card
Before attempting to turn on a water damaged iPhone XR, the first step is to eject the SIM card tray and remove the SIM card. Here’s how:
- Locate the SIM card slot on the iPhone XR. It is on the right side below the power button.
- Insert the SIM eject tool that came with your iPhone into the tiny hole next to the SIM card tray.
- Push the eject tool firmly but gently into the hole until the SIM card tray pops out.
- Slide the SIM card tray out and remove the SIM card.
Removing the SIM card prevents any short circuiting that could happen through the metal SIM card. Set the SIM card aside in a safe dry place for later.
Step 2: Dry the iPhone thoroughly
It is critical to dry the iPhone XR as quickly and thoroughly as possible after water exposure. Water shorting out electronics is what causes most of the damage. Here are some tips for drying:
- Use a soft dry lint-free cloth to gently blot up any water on the surface and in openings like the speakers and charging port.
- Do not try to charge the iPhone until it is fully dry, as this can short circuit it.
- Leave the iPhone in a dry warm area with airflow. Position it upright on its edge so water can drip out of openings.
- You can also use a hairdryer on a low gentle setting to blow dry the iPhone, but hold it at least 6 inches away.
- Use dry rice or silica gel packets in a sealed bag or container to help absorb moisture – leave for at least 24 hours.
Be patient and allow the iPhone to dry completely before moving on. This helps prevent any remaining water from short circuiting the device when powered on.
Step 3: Clean out any water in openings
Check the following areas on the iPhone for any water or moisture that may be trapped or stuck inside:
- Lightning charging port – Carefully insert a toothpick wrapped in cloth to absorb any water stuck in the port.
- Speakers and microphone – Use a cotton swab to gently dab water out of the tiny holes.
- Front camera – Gently blot with a cloth on the front and rear camera lenses.
- Buttons – Press buttons repeatedly to discharge any water underneath.
- SIM card slot – Ensure no moisture remains in the SIM card tray.
Make sure all openings are completely dry before proceeding. Any remaining moisture trapped in these areas can damage circuits when power is applied.
Step 4: Check for liquid indicator triggered
The iPhone XR has small liquid contact indicator strips that change color when exposed to moisture. To find them:
- Locate the SIM card tray – the indicator strip is a small white sticker inside the SIM card slot.
- Check the bottom next to the charging port – the indicator is a small white dot.
If either indicator strip has turned pink or red, that means water has gotten into that area. This makes powering on riskier, but you can still try the steps below.
Step 5: Try powering on the iPhone
Once the iPhone is thoroughly dry, the next step is to try powering it on:
- Press and hold the side or top power button until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.
- Keep holding the power button until the lock screen loads up.
- Enter your passcode if prompted to get to the Home screen.
If the screen remains black when pressing the power button or shows connector/charging errors, the iPhone may still have internal moisture. Let it dry longer and try again later.
Step 6: Test iPhone’s functions
If you successfully powered on the iPhone, thoroughly test its functions before adding a SIM card back in:
- Check the touchscreen – Open apps, enter passcode, tap icons.
- Test speakers & mic – Make calls, play music, use Siri.
- Check cameras – Open front and rear cameras.
- Connect to WiFi and test internet.
- Check Bluetooth connections.
- Test battery percentage and charging.
Make sure phone calls, screen, speakers, cameras, WiFi, and everything else works normally. If you encounter issues like flickering screens or unresponsive touch input, there may still be moisture inside.
Step 7: Backup data and restore iPhone
Even if your iPhone seems to be working fine, it’s a good idea to backup your data and restore the iPhone after water exposure. Here’s how:
- Connect iPhone to computer and do encrypted iTunes backup to save data.
- Open iTunes on computer and put iPhone into Recovery Mode – press Volume Up, Volume Down, then hold Power until you see Recovery Mode screen.
- In iTunes select Restore iPhone which will reinstall a fresh OS while retaining your data.
- After restore completes, setup iPhone again and restore data from previous backup.
Restoring the iPhone software will help clear out any corrupted data or glitches caused by the water. Backup ensures you don’t lose any data in the process.
Step 8: Insert SIM card
Once you’ve verified the iPhone is fully functional after the restore process, the final step is to insert the SIM card again:
- Locate SIM card tray and gently slide it out using the SIM eject tool.
- Place the SIM card in the tray, oriented properly with the notch lined up.
- Carefully slide tray back into iPhone until it clicks into place.
The iPhone should now activate and connect to the cellular network. You can use it normally again once the SIM is reloaded.
Tips for preventing water damage
To help avoid needing these steps in the first place, here are some useful tips to prevent iPhone water damage:
- Use a protective waterproof case when going near water.
- Never charge iPhone if the charging port is wet – dry it fully first.
- Avoid exposing iPhone to sudden moisture temperature changes which can draw in water.
- Turn on Airplane mode before taking iPhone near water to avoid short circuiting from cellular signal.
- Avoid taking iPhone in bathrooms where it can be exposed to shower steam and humidity.
Being cautious around water will reduce the risk. But if your iPhone does take an unexpected dunk, follow these steps to give it the best chance of survival.
When to get professional help
If you tried all these troubleshooting steps but the iPhone still won’t power on or has serious damage, it may require professional service. Here are some signs it is time to take it in for repair:
- iPhone won’t power on at all, even after thorough drying
- Display stays black and won’t turn on
- Phone immediately turns back off when powered on
- Touchscreen is unresponsive or glitchy
- Corrosion visible inside charging port or speakers
- Liquid indicators show water entered iPhone internals
Apple or an authorized service provider can open up the iPhone to thoroughly dry internal components and replace any damaged parts. This gives water damaged iPhones the best chance of working again.
Conclusion
While water damage is never a good thing for an iPhone, there are steps you can take to potentially revive your iPhone XR. Thoroughly drying it out, cleaning openings, restoring software, and getting professional help if needed can get your iPhone up and running again. With some persistence your water damaged iPhone can make a full recovery.