If your iPhone gets wet, you’ll want to dry it out as quickly as possible to avoid permanent damage. The drying time depends on a few key factors:
What Got the iPhone Wet
The source of the water exposure affects drying time. An iPhone that took a brief dunk in the pool or sink will take less time to dry out than one exposed to saltwater or one left underwater for a prolonged period.
Freshwater
An iPhone that gets splashed or briefly dropped in freshwater like a pool, sink, or toilet can air dry within 24-48 hours if you follow the proper drying techniques. The short exposure means only external components like the screen or casing got wet.
Saltwater
Saltwater is more conductive and corrosive than freshwater. It can penetrate deeper into the iPhone’s ports, speakers, and other openings. An iPhone dunked in the ocean or saltwater pool needs 5-7 days to thoroughly dry out.
Prolonged Water Exposure
The longer an iPhone sits in liquid, the more water seeps into the inner workings. One that spent 30 minutes underwater may take over a week to completely dry out. The internal components become thoroughly saturated.
Drying Techniques
Proper drying techniques shorten the iPhone’s recovery time. Here are some dos and don’ts:
Do
- Rinse the iPhone in freshwater if exposed to saltwater or beverages.
- Pat dry with a microfiber cloth. Don’t rub.
- Leave the iPhone powered off.
- Remove any protective case and dry thoroughly.
- Place the iPhone in front of a fan blowing room-temperature air.
- Insert a moisture-absorbing pack.
- Put the iPhone in an airtight bag with dry rice.
Don’t
- Press any buttons or attempt to power on.
- Brush or scrape water droplets.
- Blow dry with hot air.
- Use a hair dryer.
- Microwave the iPhone.
- Place the iPhone in the sun or on a heat source.
- Plug in any cables or charge until fully dry.
Components Affected
How deeply the water penetrates the iPhone determines which components malfunction first. Here are the most vulnerable:
Exterior
- Screen
- Speakers
- Microphones
- Cameras
- Charging port
- Headphone jack
- SIM card tray
- Buttons
Interior
- Logic board
- Battery
- Sensors
- Connectors
- Processors
The screen, buttons, and charging port tend to suffer first since water can seep in even with minimal exposure. Components enclosed deeper inside take longer to malfunction but will eventually corrode if the phone doesn’t dry out fully.
Signs of Water Damage
How can you tell if your wet iPhone sustained internal damage? Watch for these warning signs:
- Blurry, distorted, or flickering display
- Diminished sound from speakers
- Microphone not picking up audio
- Cameras producing blurry photos
- Buttons feeling sticky or stiff
- Inability to charge properly
- Difficulty turning on even after drying
- Corrosion around ports, lenses, or slots
- Condensation or fogging under screen
The longer your iPhone was submerged and the more signs of damage appear, the less likely it can recover fully. If it doesn’t start working normally after drying, permanent internal corrosion is likely.
Drying Precautions
While moisture drying techniques can resurrect a wet iPhone, take precautions during the process:
- Don’t try to power on or charge until 100% dry.
- Check for trapped moisture in openings.
- Keep it in a dry environment free of humidity.
- Monitor for symptoms of permanent water damage.
- Be prepared to replace if corrosion occurred.
- Don’t use the iPhone around flammable gas, as liquids can separate battery chemicals.
- Have an expert technician inspect and confirm it’s safe to use if uncertain.
Rushing the drying time or improperly powering up a still-wet iPhone risks short circuiting and permanent component damage. Patience is key.
When to Give Up
If your iPhone shows no signs of life even after a thorough multi-day drying process, it’s likely reached the point of no return. Here are signs it’s time to give up and have it repaired or replaced:
- Still fully unresponsive after a week of drying
- Visible corrosion around ports, lenses, or buttons
- Internal moisture visible through water indicators
- Short circuit warning from attempting to power on
- Strong burning odor coming from iPhone
- Sparking or smoke when plugged into power
Critical components like the logic board or battery can only tolerate moisture exposure for so long before irreversible damage occurs. If the iPhone seems “dead” despite your best drying efforts, it’s most cost-effective to invest in a replacement.
Recovery Tips
To maximize your chances of reviving a water-damaged iPhone, follow these tips:
- Rinse chemicals, soap, or debris immediately.
- Power off, dry exterior, and open any covers.
- Place in front of fan blowing room-temp air.
- Seal in bag with desiccant packs for 1-3 days.
- Check moisture indicators before attempting power on.
- Have repaired by a professional if uncertain.
- Consider replacement if signs of permanent damage appear.
The key is creating an environment for the iPhone to air dry thoroughly before applying heat or power. With patience and proper technique, there’s a decent chance of bringing an iPhone back from a brief water incident.
Drying Different Phone Models
Not all iPhones have the same water resistance rating or vulnerability. Here’s a breakdown of drying expectations by model:
| iPhone Model | Water Resistance Rating | Expected Drying Time |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max | IP68 up to 6m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone 14/14 Plus | IP68 up to 6m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max | IP68 up to 6m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone 13/13 Mini | IP68 up to 6m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max | IP68 up to 6m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone 12/12 Mini | IP68 up to 6m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max | IP68 up to 4m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone 11 | IP68 up to 2m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone XS/XS Max | IP68 up to 2m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone XR | IP67 up to 1m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone X | IP67 up to 1m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone 8/8 Plus | IP67 up to 1m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone 7/7Plus | IP67 up to 1m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone 6s/6s Plus | Water resistant but no rating | 36-48 hours |
| iPhone 6/6Plus | No water resistance rating | 48-72 hours |
| iPhone SE (1st & 2nd gen) | IP67 up to 1m depth | 24-48 hours |
| iPhone 5/5S/5C | No water resistance rating | 48-72 hours |
| iPhone 4/4S | No water resistance rating | 72+ hours |
| Original iPhone to 3GS | No water resistance rating | 72+ hours |
Newer models drying times fall in the 24-48 hour range, while older devices need longer. iPhones without an IP rating require the most drying time since water can penetrate deeper internally.
Extend Your Battery Life
If your iPhone has been drying for a while but still won’t power on, the battery may have been depleted by the moisture. Here are some tips to revive it:
- Let it charge for several hours after drying before attempting power on.
- If it won’t hold a charge, replace the battery.
- Use a wireless charging pad, as it supplies lower wattage.
- Keep it powered off and plugged into charger for 24 hours.
- Try charging while connected to a computer USB port.
- Avoid using phone while charging to reduce load.
- Switch wall adapter to a lower wattage model.
- Have Apple replace battery if moisture indicators show damage.
While the battery might be too far gone if exposed to extended moisture, giving it ample recharge time maximizes your chances of success before considering a replacement.
Isopropyl Alcohol Cleaning
Using isopropyl alcohol can help dry out and disinfect a wet iPhone’s ports and openings. Here’s how:
- Use highest percentage isopropyl alcohol available – 90% or higher.
- Dampen a soft lint-free cloth with a small amount.
- Gently wipe down the iPhone’s exterior openings.
- Slide cloth across the iPhone’s screen from top to bottom.
- Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol for inner crevices.
- Insert swab gently into ports and headphone jack.
- Let air dry for 10 minutes before moving to rice or desiccant pack.
- Never submerge the iPhone in alcohol.
Isopropyl cleans corrosion and evaporates moisture in hard-to-reach areas. Use sparingly and replace alcohol wipe if it becomes too dirty. Avoid getting moisture trapped inside openings.
Conclusion
The most important takeaway is that an iPhone exposed to liquid needs ample drying time – up to a week for saltwater immersion. Rushing the process by applying heat, powering on prematurely, or not sealing in a moisture-free environment heightens risk of permanent damage.
Have patience and follow proper techniques, and you have a good chance of reviving your wet iPhone. Just don’t expect miracles from older models lacking water resistance ratings. In some cases, moving on and replacing the iPhone is the smartest and most cost-effective option.