The iPhone 13 is Apple’s latest flagship smartphone, released in September 2021. One of the major upgrades in the iPhone 13 over previous models is improved water resistance. The iPhone 13 has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, meaning it can withstand being submerged in up to 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes without damage. However, many iPhone users still have questions about how long it takes for an iPhone to fully dry out and get rid of water after being submerged or exposed to water. In this article, we will take a look at the factors that determine how long it takes an iPhone 13 to get rid of water and be safe to use again after water exposure.
IP68 Water Resistance Rating
As mentioned above, the iPhone 13 has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance according to the IEC standard 60529. This means that it was tested to withstand immersion in water up to 6 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. However, Apple does warn users not to intentionally submerge an iPhone in water or expose it to pressurized water or high-velocity water, as water resistance is not a permanent condition. Over time, the seals that keep water out can wear down. But occasional accidental splashes or drops in water should not damage the iPhone 13.
Here is a quick overview of what the IP68 rating entails:
| IP68 rating | Withstands immersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes |
| Tested in static water | Not pressurized or flowing water |
| Water resistance not permanent | Can decrease over time with wear |
So while the iPhone 13 is highly water resistant, it is not completely waterproof or impervious to water damage under all conditions. The water resistance protects against common spills and accidental drops into water, but continual submersion or high water pressure can still damage the device over time.
Factors That Determine Dry Out Time
Now that we know the iPhone 13’s IP68 water resistance capabilities, what determines how long it takes for it to fully dry out and recover after being exposed to water? There are several key factors:
– Depth and duration of water exposure – The deeper the water and the longer the iPhone 13 is submerged, the longer it will take to dry out. A quick splash or drop in the sink will take less time than immersion for over 30 minutes in a few meters of water.
– Water temperature – Warmer water can enter the iPhone faster and take longer to evaporate than colder water. Very cold water may not penetrate the seals as quickly.
– Liquid type – Pure water will evaporate faster than other liquids like saltwater, chlorinated water, or beverages, which can leave mineral deposits behind and take longer to dry out.
– iPhone components – The internal components like battery, logic board, cameras etc. can only withstand water exposure for a limited time, and residual moisture left on these parts can cause malfunction or damage. The ports (lightning, speakers) are most vulnerable.
– Environment – Drying time will be shorter in a dry, warm environment compared to cold, humid air.
– Prevention measures – Steps like immediately drying the exterior, using moisture-absorbing items, turning the iPhone off, and avoiding charge/sync ports right away can help decrease dry out time.
So in general, the more thorough the water exposure and the less able the environment and user is to mitigate it quickly, the longer the iPhone 13 will take to completely dry out internally.
Immediate Actions After Water Exposure
When an iPhone 13 gets exposed to liquid, there are some best practices to follow right away to help dry it out faster and prevent damage:
– Dry it off externally with a lint-free cloth. Remove any cases and dry the iPhone’s exterior thoroughly.
– Do not attempt to charge it or plug it into any cables right away. This can cause short circuiting if there is water in the ports.
– Turn off the iPhone if possible to avoid short circuiting and give time for water to evaporate internally. If it won’t turn off, let the battery drain.
– Use a hair dryer on low heat setting or place in front of a fan to aid evaporation. Avoid extreme high heat.
– Place the iPhone in a dry area with airflow. Silica gel packets can help absorb excess moisture.
– After a few hours, inspect ports and connectors for any remaining water or condensation. Clean any noticeable moisture away.
Following these initial steps can help reduce the iPhone’s dry out time considerably compared to just letting it sit with moisture inside.
How Long Does It Take to Fully Dry Out?
So just how long does it realistically take for an iPhone 13 to completely dry internally after being submerged or splashed? Here are some general timelines based on the water exposure severity:
Mild water exposure (splashes, spills)
– With careful drying of exterior and ports, mild exposure should dry out within about 3-5 hours.
– Full drying can take up to 24 hours if left unattended.
Moderate water exposure (drop in toilet, sink, pool)
– With immediate action to dry, moderate exposure may dry out within 5-10 hours.
– Unattended, moderate exposure can take 24-72 hours to fully evaporate internal moisture.
Heavy water exposure (submersion for >5 minutes)
– Even with immediate drying, expect 24 hours minimum for heavy exposure.
– Unattended heavy exposure could take 3-5 days to completely dry out.
– For very heavy, extensive submersion, dry out time could exceed 5 days.
Note these time ranges assume the iPhone was quickly retrieved from the water, not left submerged. Longer submersion times increase internal water intrusion and dry out times substantially.
Other Considerations
A few other things to keep in mind when it comes to iPhone 13 water exposure and drying:
– Even if the iPhone seems dry and works initially, full drying is important to prevent long-term damage from moisture or short circuits. Do not assume it is safe to use just because it powers back on.
– Carefully inspect ports and buttons for any visible moisture or corrosion before using again. Small amounts of water can linger in crevices.
– Backup your data before water exposure when possible in case damage does occur later. After full drying, inspect cameras, microphone and speakers for any condensation inside.
– If the iPhone 13 suffered significant water damage, it may need professional service even after thorough drying. It’s best to have it checked out for full functionality.
– For future prevention, consider investing in a waterproof case or insurance plan that covers accidental damage. This provides an extra layer of protection.
Inspection Guide After Drying
Once you believe your iPhone 13 is fully dried after water exposure, follow these steps to check it over before putting it back into use:
– Verify both Lightning and speaker ports show no moisture or corrosion. Use a flashlight to look closely for any remaining water or damage inside ports.
– Check microphone and speaker performance. Make calls or voice recordings to confirm crisp sound quality, with no muffling from residual moisture inside.
– Examine cameras and flash. Take photos and videos in different modes to look for any artifacts, fogginess or dead pixels indicating water damage.
– Test vibration motor. Enable haptic feedback and feel for normal vibration strength. Weak or uneven vibrations can indicate water infiltration.
– Confirm wireless charging still functions, if using a wireless charger. This uses the internal coil, which is susceptible to moisture damage. Place on charger and check for normal charging speeds.
– Run diagnostics testing. Use Apple’s built-in diagnostics in Settings app to check sensors like gyroscope and accelerometer for proper functionality after any water exposure.
– Backup data and restore iPhone. Fully drying out water is not guaranteed, so users should still back up data immediately and plan for possible restoration after liquid exposure.
If all ports, components and features test normal per these steps with no apparent physical damage, it is reasonable to assume the iPhone has sufficiently dried out and can safely be put back into operation. But continue monitoring for any delayed issues from liquid contact over the next few weeks of use.
When to Seek Repair Service
If an iPhone 13 shows any of the following symptoms after drying from water exposure, it likely requires professional repair service to address internal damage:
– Visible corrosion in ports or connectors
– Hazy or foggy camera lens/damage to camera parts
– Microphone cuts out intermittently, muffled quality
– Speaker sounds distorted or very quiet
– Problems with touchscreen, unresponsive touches
– Battery life reduced dramatically
– Issues charging – doesn’t recognize charger, very slow to charge
– Problems with cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth connectivity
– Frozen screen, apps crashing frequently
– Lack of vibration or very weak vibration
– Severe cosmetic damage like cracks or dents from water pressure
– Any internal rattling sounds indicating loosened components
Continuing to use an iPhone with this type of apparent water damage can cause full failure or safety issues down the line. If drying efforts prove unsuccessful, filing an insurance claim or visiting an Apple store or third-party repair shop to address hardware-level water damage is the safest option to regain full iPhone functionality.
Prevention Tips
While the iPhone 13 has excellent water resistance and can recover surprisingly well after many water exposures with proper drying, there are still good habits users can form to avoid liquid damage in the first place:
– Avoid purposefully submerging iPhones in water just to test limits, since water resistance decreases over time.
– Use a waterproof case for boating, swimming, camping or other aquatic activities where submersion risks are high.
– Keep your iPhone away from sinks, tubs, pools when not in use. Accidental drops are common.
– Never charge an iPhone when wet. Only use cables once completely dried out.
– Invest in sufficient insurance coverage and an extended warranty to offset repair costs if water damage does occur.
– If using your iPhone in rain or snow, wipe off any moisture buildup promptly once back indoors to avoid seepage into ports or cracks.
– Avoid spilling beverages near your iPhone. Sugary/acidic drinks can degrade water resistance seals and leave residue behind when dry.
– Keep the phone out of humid environments like saunas or steam rooms which accelerate water intrusion through seals.
With proper handling and post-exposure drying procedures, an iPhone 13 can survive most typical liquid encounters. But prevention is still the best medicine when it comes to mixing electronics and water. Use protective accessories when possible, avoid purposeful submersion, act quickly if an accident does occur to dry your iPhone, and seek repair help promptly if needed to maximize its lifespan.
Conclusion
The iPhone 13’s IP68 water resistance rating allows it to withstand submersion for up to 30 minutes in up to 6 meters of water. However, complete internal drying time depends on the severity of water exposure and prompt action taken to mitigate it. For light splashes, expect full dry out within 3-5 hours if properly handled. Moderate exposures like toilet drops or brief sinking can dry out overnight in most cases. Heavy or extensive submersion incidents may require up to a week to evaporate residual internal moisture in all crevices. Check critical components like mics, speakers and cameras thoroughly after drying and backup data in case water damage is irreversible. With responsible precautions and usage habits, an iPhone 13 can easily shrug off the occasional spill or dunk while still delivering exceptional performance over years of use.
