Moisture damage is one of the most common issues that can affect iPhones. Water exposure, whether from rain, spills or condensation, can cause a variety of problems like screen malfunctions, speaker damage or charging port issues. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to fix moisture damage on your iPhone and get it working again.
What causes moisture damage on iPhones?
There are a few main sources of moisture that can damage an iPhone:
- Water splashes or spills – Direct exposure to water, like dropping the phone in liquid or having it splashed, can cause issues.
- Rain – Getting rained on, especially when using the phone outdoors in the rain, can cause water to get into the ports and openings.
- Condensation – Condensation forming inside the phone from temperature changes can accumulate moisture internally.
- Damp environments – Using the phone in damp areas like bathrooms with steam can introduce moisture over time.
The delicate electronic components inside the iPhone can easily be damaged or shorted out when they come into contact with water. Liquid causes oxidation and corrosion of the circuitry. Even small amounts of moisture can cause issues over time.
How to tell if your iPhone has moisture damage
There are a few key signs that indicate your iPhone has been affected by moisture:
- Display issues – You may notice display glitches, flickering, fogginess or blurred sections on the screen from water damage.
- “Moisture detected” error – This message may pop up on your iPhone, indicating liquid exposure has been detected internally.
- Charging problems – Exposure to moisture can corrode and damage the charging port, causing intermittent charging issues.
- Speaker issues – Speakers and earpiece may exhibit muffled, crackling or distorted sound due to liquid damage.
- Unresponsive buttons – The home, volume and lock buttons may become unresponsive or only work intermittently.
- Camera issues – The iPhone camera and flash may act glitchy or stop working properly after water damage.
If you notice any of these moisture-related problems, it’s important to quickly take action to dry out and repair your iPhone.
How to dry out a wet iPhone
If your iPhone has been exposed to moisture, the first priority is to thoroughly dry it out. Here are some steps to take:
- Immediately power off the iPhone – Don’t try to power on a wet iPhone or it could short circuit.
- Do NOT try to charge it until fully dry.
- Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe off excess moisture from the surface.
- Use a can of compressed air to blow out any water in the ports, earpiece and buttons.
- Place the iPhone in front of a fan turned to medium and allow air to circulate around it to promote drying.
- Leave the iPhone to dry for at least 24 hours before attempting to power on again.
- After drying, inspect the ports and buttons for any remaining moisture before powering on.
Following these steps carefully removes any external moisture. However, liquid may still remain internally if it seeped beneath the display screen or into components.
How to fix iPhone water damage
Once you’ve dried the iPhone thoroughly, you can move on to fixing any issues caused by the moisture exposure. Here are some repair tips:
Fix wet iPhone display
- Run a pixel refresher video – Special videos rapidly flash colors to exercise the pixels and undo display glitches.
- Use moisture-absorbing packs – Place a silica gel pack between the screen and case overnight to extract moisture.
- Replace screen if needed – If glitches remain, the screen assembly may need to be replaced to fix a malfunctioning display.
Fix iPhone charging port
- Clean with isopropyl alcohol – Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean corrosion.
- Blow out with air – Use compressed air to ensure any residual moisture is removed.
- Replace charging dock – If cleaning doesn’t work, the iPhone’s dock connector may need to be replaced.
Fix water-damaged speakers
- Use moisture-absorbing powder – Dust rice powder or silica packets into the speaker grille to draw out moisture.
- Play loud, static audio – Play static noises at high volume to vibrate the speaker and displace water.
- Replace speaker – If above methods don’t restore normal audio, the iPhone speaker will need to be replaced.
Fix unresponsive iPhone buttons
- Blow out water – Use compressed air around the buttons to ensure no moisture is trapped.
- Clean with alcohol – Gently clean with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to displace any water residue.
- Replace button flex cables – If buttons remain problematic, the underlying flex cables may need replacement.
Steps to prevent iPhone moisture damage
To help avoid iPhone water damage in the first place, follow these precautions:
- Use a waterproof case – Protect your iPhone with a certified waterproof case when going near water.
- Avoid wet environments – Keep the iPhone away from damp areas like pools and bathrooms.
- Check humidity levels – Don’t leave the iPhone in environments with very high humidity for long periods.
- Watch for condensation – If bringing your iPhone into warm rooms from the cold outside, let it adjust to the temperature gradually before using to avoid condensation.
- Dry hands before use – Make sure your hands are dry before handling your iPhone, especially near the charging port.
- Keep drinks away – Be very careful to keep liquids and beverages far away from your iPhone.
- Inspect gaskets – Check that the gasket seals around your iPhone’s openings are in good shape.
With proper precautions, you can do a lot to prevent exposing your iPhone to moisture in the first place. But if your iPhone does suffer water damage, following the drying and repair steps outlined above can often get it working properly again.
Using rice to fix an iPhone with water damage
One of the most common home remedies for an iPhone exposed to moisture is to place the device in a container or bag of rice. The theory is that the rice will absorb any leftover moisture. Here are some key points on using the rice method:
- Use uncooked, dry white rice – The rice needs to be dry. Do not use cooked rice or rice with seasoning.
- Bury the iPhone in rice – Submerge the iPhone in a bowl or bag of rice so the rice surrounds it completely.
- Leave for at least 24 hours – Give the rice enough time to absorb moisture. Leaving it for 48-72 hours is even better.
- Check for remaining moisture – After removing from the rice, inspect any openings for moisture before powering on.
- Repeat if needed – If moisture remains, dry it with a cloth and place it back in the rice for more time.
The rice trick can be effective at pulling some moisture from the iPhone. However, it has limitations:
- Rice may not fully reach internal moisture – It only dries exterior moisture it contacts.
- Rice could get stuck inside – Remnants of rice grains could remain lodged in ports.
- Doesn’t fix corrosion damage – It dries out phone but does not reverse existing corrosion.
The rice method is worth trying in combination with other drying steps. But you may still need to use other means like moisture-absorbing packs, fans orrepair if the iPhone has significant water damage.
Professional iPhone water damage repair options
For severe cases of iPhone liquid damage, it may be advisable to take it to a professional repair specialist. They have specialized tools and techniques that may be able to rescue a water-damaged iPhone even when DIY methods don’t work. Here are some professional iPhone water damage repair options:
Apple Store
You can take your water-damaged iPhone into the Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. They have the genuine Apple parts needed for repairs. However, liquid damage is not covered under Apple’s standard warranty so you will have to pay their out-of-warranty service fees. These fees can be expensive, ranging from $200 up to over $700 in some cases depending on the repairs needed.
Mail-in iPhone repair services
Third-party iPhone repair companies like iFixit Pro and uBreakiFix offer mail-in services to fix liquid damaged iPhones. You ship your damaged iPhone to them and their technicians will diagnose it, give you a quote for parts and service needed, repair it, and mail the fixed phone back. This spares you from having to visit a repair shop in person. Costs may range from $100-$350+ depending on damage severity.
Independent repair shops
You may also be able to find good deals on water damage repairs from independent and unauthorized iPhone repair shops. While they don’t use genuine Apple parts, their lower pricing makes them an affordable option if you’re willing to go with third-party replacement components. Just be sure to find a reputable shop with experience fixing liquid-exposed iPhones.
Cell phone repair insurance
Some credit cards and mobile carriers offer optional insurance plans that specifically cover cell phone water damage and other forms of accidental damage. If you have this type of insurance, you may be able to file a claim to get full or partial reimbursement for the cost of professional iPhone water damage repairs.
Weigh the costs carefully, as extended warranty policies vary in coverage details and deductible fees. But they may help offset repair costs if your iPhone gets moisture inside.
In summary, liquid exposure can happen unexpectedly but there are ways to revive an iPhone with water damage through careful drying, DIY fixes, and professional repair services. Quick action is key to giving your iPhone the best chance of bouncing back after getting wet.
Conclusion
Moisture damage is an all-too-common issue plaguing iPhones that are accidentally exposed to water. While liquid can ruin electronic components, there are steps you can take to rescue a water-damaged iPhone and bring it back to working order. The keys are to quickly dry it out with fans, rice or desiccant packs and repair any malfunctioning parts. For more severe cases of corrosion or component failure, professional repairs may be needed. But in many instances, DIY fixes can resolve iPhone moisture issues and save your precious data from waterlogged oblivion. With some knowledge of water damage causes, fixes and prevention, you can keep your iPhone safe and bounce back from spills, splashes and dunks.
