Having an iPhone exposed to moisture or get wet can be very problematic. Water can damage the internal components and circuitry, leading to malfunctions, shorts or even permanent damage. When this happens, it’s important to dry out the iPhone as quickly and effectively as possible to give it the best chance of recovering full functionality.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about drying out a wet iPhone:
How do I dry out my wet iPhone?
Use a soft, lint-free cloth, rice, silica gel packs or a drying box designed for phones.
What’s the best way to dry an iPhone?
The most effective way is to disassemble it and dry each component. Barring that, use rice, silica gel or a warming dryer.
Can rice dry out my iPhone?
Yes, burying it in uncooked dry rice can work well to absorb moisture.
How long should I dry an iPhone for?
At least 24 hours if using rice. Longer if very wet. Up to 3 days in severe cases.
What damages iPhones when wet?
Water causes corrosion and shorts out electronics. Residue can also cause problems after drying.
How Does Water Damage an iPhone
Let’s take a closer look at how exactly water and moisture can damage an iPhone and its sensitive internal components:
- Corrosion – Water causes corrosion as metal components like solder joints and contacts get oxidized. This can disrupt electrical connections.
- Short circuits – Water can short circuit and fry iPhone logic boards, connectors and integrated circuits.
- Mineral deposits – Mineral residue and contaminants in water can get left behind, interfering with connections and circuits.
- Rusting – Exposed steel parts like screws can rust, compromising structural integrity.
- Degradation – Moisture deteriorates adhesives, coatings, insulation and seals over time.
Even after drying out, damage may have already been done internally. Continued exposure to moisture makes permanent failure more likely over time as corrosion advances and components break down.
Signs of Water Damage
How can you tell if water or moisture has damaged your iPhone?
- Not powering on
- Display not working
- Glitchy touchscreen
- Speakers/microphone not working
- Buttons and switches unresponsive
- Ports malfunctioning
- Camera failures
- Won’t charge or hold charge
- Corrosion visible
- Condensation or fog under screen
The extent of the damage depends on how long it was wet, the water quality, and which components got exposed. Even if it powers on initially, full failure may happen later as corrosion progresses.
Drying Out Methods
If your iPhone has gotten wet, it’s important to dry it out as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Here are some of the most effective methods:
Dry with A Cloth
A soft, lint-free cloth can be used to dry off and absorb superficial moisture on an iPhone. Make sure to pat gently and avoid rubbing the screen. This won’t fix serious water damage, but can remove light splashes or condensation before it becomes an issue.
Rice
One of the most readily available and popular methods is to bury the iPhone in uncooked rice. Rice is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs and pulls moisture out from the surrounding air and environment. Burying the phone in a bowl of dry rice gives the moisture a place to be absorbed.
The rice should be dry and uncooked. Fill a sealable container with at least a half inch layer at bottom, place the iPhone in the center, then cover completely with at least one inch of rice on all sides. Seal the container and leave for at least 24-48 hours. The longer the better for more severe wetness. The rice will gradually pull moisture from inside the phone.
Rice is very effective at absorbing ambient humidity. However, it does have limitations. It may not adequately dry tight interior spaces, or fully eliminate mineral residue. But for many situations, rice can be a quick, easy and inexpensive way to dry out a phone.
Silica Gel Packets
Silica gel packets work similarly to rice, absorbing ambient moisture. They contain tiny silica gel beads that adsorb water molecules. The hard crystals don’t transfer any residue or dust onto the phone. The tight seals prevent moisture from re-entering the packet.
Bury the phone in a container filled with silica gel packs. Use enough packets to surround the phone on all sides. The crystals will draw out internal moisture from the phone. Reuse packets by drying in a warm oven to evaporate adsorbed water. Use caution as excessive heat can degrade the crystals.
Silica gel can potentially dry more thoroughly than rice in some cases. However, it may not reach into tight spaces within the phone as well either. It also requires having an adequate supply of silica gel packs on hand already.
Drying Box/Bag
There are products made specifically for drying out wet phones and small electronics. They contain moisture-absorbing silica gel beads or other desiccants. Just place the phone inside, seal shut, and leave for at least 24 hours.
Drying boxes are designed to thoroughly dry the phone. The tight seals prevent moisture re-entering while air circulates internally across desiccant beds. This draws moisture from inside small spaces. However, they aren’t as readily available or inexpensive as rice or silica gel.
Warming Method
Applying low heat can help evaporate residual moisture, both on the surface and internally within the phone. Options include:
- Hair dryer – Use on low setting about 10 inches away to avoid overheating.
- Heating pad – Wrap phone in cloth and place on low setting pad.
- Drying box – Some have built-in heaters to gently warm phones.
Take precautions not to overheat the phone as high temps can damage components. Keep temperatures under 105°F. Avoid harsh direct heat from hair dryers and definitely don’t use microwaves or ovens.
| Drying Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | Readily available, inexpensive, absorbs ambient moisture well. | May not reach tight spaces, leaves residue. |
| Silica Gel | Effective moisture absorption, reusable. | Requires supply on hand, doesn’t penetrate well. |
| Cloth | Removes light/surface moisture. | Not effective for serious damage. |
| Drying Box | Thoroughly dries phone with desiccant & circulation. | Not as readily available. |
| Warmth | Accelerates evaporation of moisture. | Risk of overheating damage. |
Other Drying Tips
Here are some other useful tips to ensure you dry your iPhone effectively:
- Remove case – Take off any cases or covers to allow moisture to evaporate.
- Don’t charge – Don’t try charging it while still wet as this can short and damage it.
- Minimize use – Using the phone while wet increases risk of shorts.
- Longer is better – The longer in rice/desiccant, the more moisture is removed.
- Check openings – Ensure any moisture in speaker/charger ports and buttons is dry.
- Moisture indicators – Inspect indicator stickers in SIM slot and charging port (should not be pink/red if dry).
- Backup first – Before drying, if possible, backup data and settings in case phone is damaged.
- Avoid heat – High heat can damage phone; keep below 105°F.
- Contact cleaner – Use blast of electronic contact cleaner to displace moisture in cracks and crevices.
When to Give Up
If you’ve dried the phone for over 48 hours with no success, it may be time to consider the phone too damaged to recover. Continuing to dry it extensively is unlikely to change anything at that point. Other signs it may be beyond repair:
- Visible corrosion/mineral deposits
- Shorting out immediately upon charging
- No power, response, or signs of life
- Strong musty odor from mold
- Permanent warped/discolored components
- Moisture indicators still triggered after drying
- Any signs of burnt/fried internal parts
Seawater, polluted water, and beverages like soda also reduce the chances of reviving the phone due to salts, acids and sugars. But the longer and more thoroughly you can dry it out, the better the possibilities it may come back to life or allow data recovery.
Professional Data Recovery
For phones that don’t respond to drying methods, professional phone data recovery services may be an option. They have specialized tools and clean room facilities designed to extract data from damaged phones and repair components at a microsoldering level.
However, keep in mind, this route is expensive, costing hundreds of dollars. It should be considered only for phones containing truly critical irreplaceable data.
Waterproofing Options
To avoid water damage issues in the first place, consider using a waterproof case or covering susceptible areas:
- Waterproof case – Fully encloses phone to protect from immersion.
- Plastic baggie – Cheap DIY waterproofing.
- Waterproof skins – Protect just back/sides.
- Screen protector – Guards screen from splashes.
- Waterproof sealants – Apply to perimeters and ports.
- Vapor-corrosion inhibitors – Coat internal components.
Just keep in mind, even “waterproof” cases may only be water-resistant to certain depths and conditions. Be cautious with using phones around water.
Replacing a Damaged iPhone
If drying methods don’t restore your iPhone and data recovery is not feasible or worth the cost, replacement may be the practical option. Here are some factors to consider if buying a replacement iPhone:
- Cost – Buying a used/refurbished iPhone may be most cost effective.
- Data/photos – Be sure to transfer any retrievable data/photos off old phone.
- Find my iPhone – Disable Find My iPhone on old device before replacing.
- Needs assessment – Determine required specs for replacement phone based on your usage.
- Insurance – Check if your homeowners/renters insurance covers phone replacement.
- Carriers – May offer discounted new phones when trading in damaged one.
An advantage of Apple devices is long OS support. Even old water damaged iPhones often can run the latest iOS. So an older generation refurbished iPhone may still serve you well at a fraction of the price of new.
Conclusion
A wet iPhone doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the line if you act quickly to dry it out. Rice, silica gel, warming, drying boxes, and desiccant packs can all help extract moisture. The key is to start the drying process ASAP before corrosion and electrical shorts have a chance to advance. While results aren’t guaranteed, thoroughly drying an iPhone gives it the best odds of cheating death by dunking!