Quick Answers
If your iPhone 11 gets dropped in water, the most important thing is to dry it out as quickly as possible to prevent permanent water damage. Here are some quick tips:
- Immediately retrieve the phone from the water and turn it off.
- Do not charge the wet iPhone or turn it back on until it’s completely dry.
- Use a soft lint-free cloth to gently blot away excess water.
- Place the iPhone in front of a fan or point a hairdryer set on cool at it to speed up drying.
- Put the iPhone in a bag or box of dry rice to help absorb moisture.
- Wait at least 24 hours before trying to use the iPhone again.
- If the phone still doesn’t work, you may need to take it to an Apple store for service.
Assessing Water Damage
When an iPhone is dropped in water, it’s important to quickly retrieve it and assess the extent of the water exposure and damage. Here are some steps to take:
- Immediately fish the iPhone out of the water if it has fallen into a sink, toilet, pool, or other body of water. The quicker you can get it out, the better.
- Turn off the iPhone by pressing and holding the side or top button until the power off slider appears. Turning it off helps prevent short circuits and further damage.
- Gently shake off excess water from the iPhone’s ports, buttons, speakers, and microphones.
- Lightly rinse the phone with fresh water if it fell into a source of non-purified water like a toilet or pool. This helps prevent corrosion from chemicals.
- Check if any water droplets are visible through the ports, under the screen, or in the cameras. Significant water inside the iPhone indicates serious water intrusion.
- Press buttons and touchscreen to see if they still respond. Non-responsive buttons or a flickering screen point to water damage.
- Don’t try to charge the iPhone or turn it on if it’s still wet. This can short-circuit the device.
If there are signs of major water exposure like droplets inside or a non-working screen, take quick action to dry out the phone. If there’s just minor splashing or quick immersion without internal wetness, let the phone dry out thoroughly before using it again.
Drying Out the iPhone
Once you’ve retrieved your wet iPhone, it’s crucial to dry it out fully before attempting to use it again. Water left inside can corrode circuits and components. Here are some effective drying methods:
Use Absorbent Materials
- Lint-free cloth – Gently blot away exterior water with a soft, lint-free cloth or paper towel. Don’t rub vigorously as this can push water further inside.
- Bag of rice – Place the iPhone in a sealable bag of dry white rice. Rice absorbs ambient moisture well. Leave it buried in rice for at least 24 hours.
- Silica gel – Silica gel packs like those found in shoe boxes can absorb water. Bury the phone in silica gel.
- Drying kit – Use a dedicated electronic drying kit containing moisture-absorbing beads or cloths.
Promote Air Circulation
- Fan – Point a fan directly at the iPhone to promote evaporation. This speeds up drying time.
- Hairdryer – Use a hairdryer on a cool setting to blow dry the iPhone. Keep it 6-8 inches away to prevent overheating.
- Sunlight – Place the iPhone in direct sunlight. The UV rays help eliminate moisture.
Avoid very hot heat sources like radiators or hairdryers on hot settings as excessive heat can damage electronics. Cool, moving air works best.
| Drying Method | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Lint-free cloth | Blots up exterior water |
| Bag of rice | Rice absorbs ambient moisture |
| Silica gel | Silica crystals absorb water molecules |
| Fan | Circulates air to promote evaporation |
| Hairdryer on cool | Blows cool air to dry phone |
| Sunlight | UV rays help dry out water |
When to Get Professional Help
If an iPhone 11 is seriously exposed to water such as being fully submerged, you may need to enlist professional help even after thorough drying. Here are signs your wet iPhone requires professional service:
- The phone was immersed in water for over 30 minutes
- Water droplets or fogging are visible inside the iPhone
- The touchscreen or buttons are unresponsive
- The iPhone won’t power on or continuously reboots
- You can hear sloshing water inside the phone
- The battery won’t charge properly
- Corrosion is visible on ports, charging pins, or SIM tray
With significant water exposure, components like the logic board, connectors, and chips may have become water damaged. Professional servicing can diagnose and replace damaged parts to try restoring the iPhone.
Apple recommends taking an iPhone exposed to liquid to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. These professionals have the training, parts, tools, and diagnostics to properly assess and repair water damaged iPhones.
Many third party phone repair shops also work on water damaged phones and can replace specific components like the dock connector or headphone jack if corroded. However, Apple’s own technicians likely provide the highest chance of successfully salvaging a water exposed iPhone.
DIY Water Damage Repairs
While professional service provides the best chance to revive a wet iPhone, some basic DIY repairs may resolve specific issues if damage is minor. Here are a few repairs to attempt yourself:
Dry Out Wet Charging Port
Use a can of compressed air to blow out any water in the iPhone’s charging port. Let the port air dry fully before trying to use it. If corrosion is visible, gently clean it out with a toothpick or soft brush. Avoid harsh metal tools that can scratch the port.
Check Speaker and Microphone Holes
Use a toothpick to gently clear out the speaker and microphone holes along the bottom edge. Carefully dry any water droplets in these openings. Avoid poking anything inside the actual ports.
Replace Water Damaged Parts
If a specific component like the headphone jack or dock connector seems corroded, you can purchase a replacement part online and install it yourself by following repair guides. This may be cheaper than a full device replacement.
Replace Battery
If the battery won’t charge properly after water exposure, replacing the battery yourself may resolve the issue. Buy a compatible iPhone 11 replacement battery and follow installation instructions.
Carefully research any DIY repairs and only attempt straightforward fixes. For anything complex involving the logic board or chips, seek professional assistance to avoid further damage.
Preventing Water Damage
The best solution for wet iPhones is preventing water exposure in the first place. Here are tips to keep your iPhone 11 dry:
- Use a protective case – A waterproof case creates a seal against moisture. LifeProof and Otterbox make great waterproof iPhone cases.
- Attach a floaty – Floaties like Floating Grips stick to devices and keep them afloat if dropped in water.
- Don’t use near water – Avoid using your iPhone poolside, in boats, or next to sinks where splashing can occur.
- Turn off before wet activities – Power your iPhone down before water sports or baths where it may get wet.
- Keep it in a dry spot – Store your iPhone in a dry location away from sinks, tubs, pools, and sprinklers.
- Use waterproof accessories – Choose wireless headphones and chargers designed to withstand splashes andbrief water exposure.
While no phone is truly waterproof, taking precautions goes a long way in keeping your iPhone safe from moisture. Be especially careful around bodies of water and during wet weather.
Drying Out Other Water Damaged Devices
The drying principles covered here apply not just to iPhones but other water damaged electronics as well. Here are some examples:
Other Smartphones
Most modern smartphones have similar vulnerability to water as iPhones. For any water damaged Android phone, Galaxy, or other device, follow the same steps of drying it out with absorbent materials, air circulation, and sunlight. Seek professional help if the phone has been fully submerged or no longer powers on properly after thorough drying.
Tablets
Tablets like iPads are equally susceptible to water damage. Dry a wet tablet with a microfiber cloth, rice, fan, or sunlight. Never try charging or turning on a tablet until all moisture has evaporated. Get professional help for tablets that have been fully immersed.
Laptops
A spilled drink or other liquid on a laptop can cause serious damage. Dry laptops using absorbent towels pressed gently against openings. Let it air dry upside down with the lid open. Seek repair help for any laptop that got fully soaked or isn’t working properly after drying.
Speakers
Portable Bluetooth speakers can withstand light splashing but should not be submerged. Dry wet speakers thoroughly with absorbent rice or towels. Use a toothpick to gently clean the charging port. Replace if speakers don’t work after drying.
Game Consoles
Game consoles like PlayStations and Xboxes are very susceptible to liquids spilled on them or dripping into ports. Follow the standard drying steps and avoid powering on until completely dry. Contact the manufacturer for repair options if still not functioning.
Conclusion
Accidents happen, and iPhones can end up in water despite best intentions. If your iPhone 11 takes an unexpected swim, stay calm and dry it out as quickly as possible. Remove it from the liquid, power it down, gently blot or dry it with rice or airflow, and don’t power it on until totally dry. Seek professional help if you notice corrosion or it’s no longer working properly after thorough drying. With quick action, there’s a good chance of saving your precious iPhone from a watery demise.
