Assess the Damage
If your iPhone has been exposed to water, the first step is to assess the extent of the damage. Carefully examine the device for any signs of water exposure. Newer iPhone models (iPhone 7 and later) contain liquid contact indicators (LCI) that will turn red if water is detected[1]. Check these indicators which are located in the SIM card slot, by the charging port, or on the back of the phone near the bottom. If the LCI has turned red, that indicates water has gotten inside.
Also look for any visible corrosion, fogging of the camera lens, issues with the speakers/microphone, malfunctioning ports or buttons, and overall glitchy behavior. These are all signs that moisture has damaged internal components. The longer the phone has been exposed to water and the more indicators of water damage there are, the more extensive the damage likely is.
If there are minimal signs of water exposure and the phone still seems to be working normally, you may have gotten lucky. But it’s still a good idea to follow the steps below to dry it out as much as possible.
Dry It Out
If your iPhone has been submerged in water, one of the first things to do is remove any excess water. Carefully wipe down the phone’s exterior with a soft, absorbent towel or cloth. Avoid shaking the device, as this can further spread water internally.
Next, place the iPhone in a bowl or bag of uncooked rice. Rice is hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the air and surroundings. Burying the phone in rice helps draw out any water that may have seeped inside. According to sources like Macworld, leaving the phone submerged in rice for 24-72 hours is recommended for optimal drying [1]. The rice should help absorb residual moisture so internal components can properly dry out.
It’s important not to attempt to charge or turn on the iPhone until you are confident it has thoroughly dried. Powering on a water-damaged device can cause electrical shorts and permanent damage. Letting it sit in rice for at least a day improves the chances of it drying out before use.
Avoid Powering It On
One of the worst things you can do if your iPhone gets wet is to power it on or try to charge it. Powering on a water-damaged iPhone can short circuit the device and cause permanent damage. Even charging an iPhone that’s gotten wet can fry components and render it unusable. Apple specifically recommends waiting at least 5 hours before connecting any cables or accessories after water exposure.
It may be tempting to see if your iPhone still works by pressing the power button or plugging it in, but you need to exercise patience. Allow your iPhone to thoroughly dry out before supplying power to it again. Attempting to turn on a wet iPhone almost guarantees that something will short circuit. Give your iPhone enough time to dry fully before doing anything else.
Disassemble and Dry
One of the most effective ways to dry out an iPhone after water damage is to disassemble it and thoroughly dry the interior components. This involves removing the SIM card, opening up the phone, and using isopropyl alcohol to dry out any moisture.
First, eject the SIM card tray and remove the SIM card. If possible, also remove the memory card if your iPhone has one. Then, following a reputable guide like this one from iFixit, carefully disassemble the iPhone to expose the interior components.
Once disassembled, use a can of compressed air to blow out any water droplets visible on the logic board or other components. Next, dip a soft clean cloth or cotton swabs in 99% isopropyl alcohol, and gently wipe down all components to displace any remaining moisture.
Be sure to get into crevices and connectors with the isopropyl alcohol and let the iPhone dry fully before reassembling. This process helps dry out corrosion and minimize the potential for shorts or permanent damage from liquid exposure.
Use Desiccant Packs
One commonly-recommended drying method is to place your wet iPhone in an airtight container or bag with desiccant packets. Desiccant packs, like those made of silica gel beads, work by absorbing moisture from the air and surroundings. You can often find them packed alongside products you buy to keep things dry during shipping and storage.
The advantage of desiccant packs over plain uncooked rice is that they are specially designed to absorb moisture. Silica gel can absorb up to 40% of its weight in water. Make sure not to ingest the contents, as the beads can be a choking hazard.
To dry an iPhone using this method, place several desiccant packs in a sealed plastic bag or airtight container along with your phone. Allow it to sit undisturbed for at least 48 hours to give the desiccant time to absorb the moisture. Check on the packs every 12 hours and replace them with fresh, dry ones as needed for maximum effectiveness.
Try Ultrasonic Cleaning
An ultrasonic cleaner is a machine that uses high-frequency ultrasonic waves to thoroughly clean items submerged in water or solvents. The ultrasonic vibrations create bubbles that scrub every surface of the item being cleaned. This method can be effective for cleaning inside small crevices that are difficult to access by hand.
Ultrasonic cleaning is commonly used in the electronics industry to clean circuit boards and other components. While it may not repair any corrosion damage from water, ultrasonic cleaning can flush away minerals, oils, and particles left behind from freshwater or seawater exposure 1. Submerging water damaged iPhones in an alcohol-based cleaning solution inside an ultrasonic cleaner can clean the logic board and help remove residue.
However, ultrasonic cleaning does not guarantee a fix for water damaged iPhones. It is not a complete solution, but it can be one step to try in combination with other methods of drying out and cleaning the phone’s interior.
Use Alcohol Flush
One method to try drying out your water-damaged iPhone is to submerge it in high percentage isopropyl alcohol. This can help displace any remaining water in crevices and connectors. According to experts, you’ll want to use 99% isopropyl alcohol, as lower percentages contain more water.
To do this, fill a bowl or container with enough 99% isopropyl alcohol to fully submerge the iPhone. Carefully place the phone in the alcohol and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. This gives time for the alcohol to push out water and dry the internal components. Make sure to periodically rotate and move the phone around while it’s soaking to expose all areas.
Once done soaking, remove the iPhone and let the excess alcohol drip off. Lay it out on an absorbent cloth and allow to fully air dry before attempting to turn it on. The isopropyl alcohol will evaporate quickly, taking any moisture along with it.
While this technique can be effective, it does carry some risk. As noted by Reddit users (source), the alcohol can potentially damage adhesives and seals inside the phone over time. Use this method sparingly and proceed with caution.
Consider Data Recovery
If your iPhone suffered significant water damage and will not power on, you may still be able to recover data from the device. Specialized data recovery services use advanced tools to extract files from water damaged phones, even if the phone itself no longer functions.
For the best chance at recovering data from a water damaged iPhone that won’t turn on, bring it to a professional iPhone data recovery service as soon as possible. The less time that passes, the more likely it is the service can retrieve your photos, messages, contacts, and other data from the phone’s storage.
Data recovery services have access to advanced tools like ultrasonic cleaning, manual microsoldering, and chip-off forensics to access data on water damaged devices. However, data recovery can be expensive, often $300 or more depending on the extent of damage.
Before bringing your water damaged iPhone in for data recovery, be sure to stop using it immediately after it gets wet. Do not try to power it on once wet, as this can short circuit and destroy components. The less you interact with the phone when wet, the better chance a service has of recovering your data.
Do Not Microwave
Placing your wet iPhone in the microwave in an attempt to dry it is extremely dangerous and will likely result in further damage to your device. The high temperatures inside a microwave will rapidly heat any liquid present, creating pressure inside the phone. This can cause the lithium-ion battery to swell, rupture, or even explode (source). The microwave’s electromagnetic radiation can also fry the iPhone’s delicate electronics and circuitry.
Some people mistakenly believe that microwaving an iPhone will “dry it out” by evaporating any moisture present. However, this notion is extremely misguided and unsafe. The iPhone contains many materials that can easily melt, burn, or catch fire when exposed to microwave radiation. This will render your iPhone completely unusable and can even lead to smoke inhalation or damage to your microwave.
The proper way to dry an iPhone is to disassemble it and use a desiccant or rice to slowly draw moisture out over 1-3 days. Never attempt to speed up the drying process by putting your iPhone in the microwave. This dangerous myth needs to stop being spread online, as it will only result in catastrophic damage and could even lead to serious injuries .
When In Doubt, Ask a Professional
If you’ve tried drying out your iPhone and it’s still not working properly, it’s best to take it to a professional repair shop. Many cell phone repair shops offer specialized water damage cleaning services. For example, Apple offers iPhone repairs for cracked screens and water damage for a fee. Likewise, uBreakiFix, an authorized service provider for Apple, specializes in iPhone water damage repairs. The technicians will fully disassemble the phone, thoroughly dry all components, and replace any parts that were irreparably damaged by the water. This gives you the best chance of salvaging your iPhone.
Repair shops like these have proprietary techniques and tools, like ultrasonic cleaning machines, to properly clean waterlogged electronics. The average person usually doesn’t have access to professional-grade repair equipment at home. So when in doubt, take your water damaged iPhone to a qualified repair technician for the best results.