What to Do Immediately if Your iPhone SE Gets Wet
If your iPhone SE accidentally gets splashed or dunked in water, your first instinct may be to panic. However, remaining calm and taking quick action can help save your iPhone. Here are the steps you should take immediately if your iPhone SE gets wet:
- Remove your iPhone from the water as soon as possible. The longer it remains submerged, the more potential damage can occur.
- Do not try to charge or turn on your wet iPhone. This could short circuit the device.
- Dry off your iPhone with a clean, soft cloth to soak up excess moisture.
- Do not try to dry your iPhone using a hairdryer, heater or other heat source, as this could damage the internal components.
- If possible, remove any cases, covers or screen protectors. These could trap moisture against your iPhone.
Taking these steps right away can help minimize liquid damage and give you the best chance of saving your iPhone. But additional steps will likely be needed to fully dry out and fix your wet device.
How to Dry Out Your Wet iPhone SE
Once you’ve taken immediate action after water exposure, it’s time to thoroughly dry out your iPhone. Water and moisture left inside can corrode circuits and components. Here are some steps to help remove every last bit of liquid:
- Use a microfiber cloth to gently blot up as much water as possible from the iPhone’s exterior. Make sure to carefully dry the ports, buttons and speakers.
- Insert a paper towel between the iPhone’s screen and body to soak up water underneath.
- Leave your iPhone sitting upright at room temperature. This allows water to evaporate naturally.
- You can place your iPhone in front of a fan to speed up drying time. Just do not aim high heat directly at the phone.
- For optimal drying, place your iPhone in a ziplock bag filled with uncooked rice. The rice will absorb ambient moisture.
- Allow your iPhone to air dry without use for at least 24-48 hours before handling again.
Be patient during the drying process and resist the urge to try turning on your iPhone before it’s fully dry. Leaving it powered off and allowing ample time for drying gives you the best shot at saving your wet iPhone SE.
When to Take Your Wet iPhone SE to a Repair Shop
If your iPhone SE suffered a major dunking or submersion, you may need to enlist professional help even after thorough drying. Here are some signs it’s best to take your wet iPhone to a repair shop:
- Liquid got inside your iPhone or is trapped behind the screen
- The phone won’t turn on or charge even after drying
- You see corrosion around ports, buttons or SIM card tray
- Speakers, microphones, cameras or other components aren’t working
- The screen is glitching, flashing or discolored
iPhone repair pros have specialized tools to open up your device and diagnose sources of liquid damage. They can thoroughly dry interior components, replace damaged parts, and perform a full system inspection.
Seeking professional iPhone repair is wise if DIY drying efforts aren’t successful. It’s better than scrapping your iPhone altogether.
Do’s and Don’ts When Trying to Fix a Wet iPhone SE
Here’s a quick recap of the best practices to follow and mistakes to avoid when dealing with a wet iPhone SE:
DO:
- Immediately dry the exterior with a clean cloth
- Turn off and refrain from charging the iPhone
- Allow natural air drying for at least 24-48 hours
- Use uncooked rice to aid moisture absorption
- Take it to a repair pro if you can’t get your phone working again
DON’T:
- Try to power on your wet iPhone SE
- Use heat sources like hairdryers or heat guns to dry
- Attempt to charge your iPhone until completely dry
- Open your iPhone unless you are an experienced repair technician
Stick to these do’s and don’ts for safely drying out your wet iPhone SE without causing further damage. Be patient and trust in natural air drying before making any attempts to use your phone again.
Understanding Liquid Damage to iPhones
To fully grasp what water damage does to an iPhone, it helps to understand how liquid can impact the inner workings. Here are some of the major issues that can occur:
- Short circuits – Water can bridge connections on logic boards and components, leading to electrical shorts and malfunctions.
- Corrosion – With prolonged water exposure, corrosion can build up on connectors and printed circuit boards.
- Oxidation – Liquid residue can gradually oxidize and degrade solder points and metal traces.
- Deposits/contamination – Dissolved minerals from water can leave behind deposits, especially on boards and contact points.
- Component degradation – The water itself, or residue left behind, can degrade transistors, chips and other delicate components.
Even after your iPhone SE is dried out, these types of damage can linger or progressively worsen unless properly cleaned and repaired. Liquid damage isn’t always immediately apparent either, so it pays to be cautious if your phone gets very wet.
How to Prevent Water Damage to Your iPhone
They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s certainly true when it comes to iPhone water damage. Here are some smart ways to avoid liquid damage in the first place:
- Use a protective waterproof case when going near water.
- Never use your iPhone in the bathroom or near a running sink.
- Be very careful around pools, oceans and other bodies of water.
- Keep food and beverages away from your iPhone.
- Avoid leaving your iPhone outdoors during the rain.
- Fix any leaking pipes or other sources of water in your home.
- Turn off your iPhone and use proper protective bags or cases when participating in water sports.
Making your iPhone liquid-resistant can also help. Apply a screen protector to seal the display and use waterproofing treatments on ports. But still take precautions, as no iPhone is 100% waterproof without specialized cases.
Fixing Common iPhone Problems Caused by Water
If you correctly dry out your iPhone after getting it wet, you may get lucky and avoid any permanent problems. But water damage can result in some predictable iPhone issues. Here’s how to fix the most common post-water damage iPhone problems.
Problem: The iPhone won’t turn on
Solution: Leave it powered off and allow more drying time. If it still won’t power on after thoroughly drying, have a repair shop assess the logic board and components for corrosion or shorts. Replacement of damaged parts may be required.
Problem: Speakers and microphones aren’t working
Solution: Use a toothpick or compressed air to gently clean out the port holes, then allow more drying time. If still not working, the internal components may need to be replaced by a repair technician.
Problem: Displays issues like flickering, lines or discoloration
Solution: This indicates possible liquid damage to the screen or display connectors. You can try drying it further, but replacement of the display assembly may be needed if issues persist.
Problem: Charging port won’t charge your iPhone
Solution: Carefully clean out any water or residue from the charging port using a toothpick or soft brush. Allow several days to fully dry out the port. If still not charging properly, the charging module could need replacement.
Problem: Corrosion around SIM card tray
Solution: Use a fiber pen or pencil eraser to gently rub away any visible corrosion on the SIM tray slot. Any extensive corrosion damage beyond the tray may require cleaning by a repair technician.
Don’t attempt to open up and repair an iPhone on your own unless you have professional experience. But these tips can help restore normal function following minor water damage.
When to Replace a Wet iPhone Rather than Repair It
If your iPhone SE suffered severe water damage, at a certain point replacement becomes the better option. Here are signs that your wet iPhone may be beyond economical repair:
- It was fully submerged for a prolonged time.
- There is extensive corrosion and residue despite drying efforts.
- Diagnostic testing indicates multiple components suffered irreversible water damage.
- The estimated cost of component-level repairs exceeds the value of the iPhone.
- Troubleshooting determines the logic board was damaged and needs replacement.
Wholesale pricing on iPhone logic board replacements from Apple and other sources can reach $150-$300 in some cases, making up the majority of the phone’s original value.
At the end of the day, it comes down to cost-benefit analysis. If a repair shop quote seems excessive compared to purchasing a quality refurbished or new replacement iPhone SE, it may be wise to simply move on and get a replacement phone. But moderate repair costs can certainly be warranted to resurrect your existing iPhone after water damage.
Conclusion
Dealing with a wet iPhone SE can be stressful, but staying calm and using these troubleshooting tips will give you the best chance to reverse the damage. Quick action is key to soaking up moisture before it seeps internally. Allowing ample drying time and enlisting professional help as needed can get your iPhone working again. But if damage proves too extensive, replacement may be the smartest route to get your iPhone operational once more. Use your best judgment, and don’t attempt internal repairs unless you have the requisite experience and tools. With some patience and care, a wet iPhone SE can often be resuscitated successfully.
