Water damage is one of the most common issues that can affect iPhones. If liquid gets inside your iPhone, it can cause all sorts of problems, from glitchy performance to complete failure of the device. But what exactly does water damage in an iPhone look like?
How does water get inside an iPhone?
There are a few main ways that water can make its way into an iPhone:
- Dropping the iPhone in water – This is the most obvious cause of water damage. If you drop your iPhone in the sink, toilet, pool, etc., water can easily enter the ports and other openings.
- Using the iPhone in the rain – Using your iPhone outdoors in the rain, especially for prolonged periods, can allow moisture to seep in over time.
- Spills – Accidentally spilling a drink on your iPhone or getting caught in a heavy downpour can cause water ingress.
- Condensation – Condensation forming inside the iPhone, especially if it’s taken from a cold environment into a warm, humid one, can put moisture inside the device.
Signs of minor water damage
If just a small amount of water gets into your iPhone, you may see some minor signs of water damage like:
- Condensation or fogginess under the glass back or camera lenses – This indicates moisture got inside but likely has not reached any internal components yet.
- Muffled or low speaker volume – Water in the speaker ports can dampen sound quality.
- Glitchy charging – If moisture reached the charging port, you may experience problems with cables connecting or charging stopping and starting.
- Touchscreen issues – Some moisture in the screen or digitizer can cause erroneous taps or unresponsive areas.
- Dim screen – A small amount of water in the display assembly can cause backlight issues.
If caught early, minor water damage like this may be reversible by thoroughly drying out the iPhone.
Signs of moderate water damage
More extensive water exposure usually results in more significant damage, such as:
- Distorted or blurred camera – Moisture on the internal camera components can impair image quality.
- Face ID not working – The Face ID flood illuminator is very sensitive to moisture.
- Headphone jack not working – Liquid in the headphone port can corrode the contacts.
- Microphone not working – Water reaching the microphone can prevent it from capturing sound.
- Buttons getting stuck – If water reaches the internal switch contacts, buttons may become unresponsive.
- Corroded SIM card tray – The SIM tray is vulnerable to corrosion from water exposure.
At this stage, moisture has likely reached electronic components, requiring disassembly and cleaning to fix. Repairs get more involved and costly.
Severe water damage signs
With more extensive submersion or liquid exposure over time, an iPhone can exhibit more catastrophic water damage symptoms:
- Won’t turn on – If moisture reached the logic board and other key electronics, the iPhone may not power on at all.
- Won’t charge – Extensive corrosion to the charging port or logic board can totally prevent charging.
- Short circuit – If water bridges vital electronic contacts, it can lead to a hazardous short circuit.
- Corrosion buildup – Prolonged moisture exposure can cause corrosion deposits and mineral buildup.
- Fried components – Immersion can essentially fry components like processors or integrated circuits.
- Triggered water indicators – Apple places liquid contact indicators inside iPhones, which turn red if significantly wet.
With damage this severe, the iPhone will require professional microsoldering repairs or very likely be unsalvageable. Water damage this bad can be catastrophic.
How the iPhone model impacts water damage
The extent and types of water damage symptoms can also vary based on the iPhone model:
| iPhone Model | Water Damage Vulnerabilities |
|---|---|
| iPhone XR, 11 | More prone to audio issues since the speaker is on the bottom edge. |
| iPhone XS, 11 Pro | Face ID flood illuminator is easily damaged by moisture. |
| iPhone 12, 13 | Water can ruin the wireless MagSafe charger coil. |
| iPhone SE | Very compact design leaves little room for liquid to drain out. |
Newer iPhone models tend to have tighter water seals and resistance, but liquid exposure can still cause problems if extensive enough.
How to dry out an iPhone with water damage
If your iPhone gets wet, quick action is key to potentially reversing or minimizing water damage:
- Immediately power off the iPhone if it’s still on, and do not try charging it.
- Do not try to turn the iPhone on or plug it in for at least 48 hours.
- Remove any cases or covers to allow the device to dry out.
- Use a microfiber cloth to gently dry or dab up any moisture on the surface.
- Leave the iPhone to air dry completely for at least 48-72 hours.
- Place it in front of a fan to circulate air and help evaporation.
- Pack it in an airtight bag with desiccant packs to absorb moisture.
- Once fully dried, you can attempt to turn it on and assess the damage.
Quick drying can restore functionality if the liquid exposure was minor. For more severe damage, professional repairs may be necessary.
Water damage repair options
If drying out your iPhone does not restore proper functionality, water damage repair options include:
- Component-level repair – Replacing individual damaged parts like the charger, camera, or audio chips.
- Logic board repair – Fixing shorts and corrosion on the main logic board circuitry.
- Professional cleaning – Deep cleaning corroded or mineral-coated components.
- Microsoldering – Repairing damaged solder points at a microscopic level.
- Full device replacement – If repair costs exceed replacement cost, replacing the entire iPhone may make more sense.
Water damage repairs range from $100-300 on average depending on the iPhone model and extent of the damage. With AppleCare+, a significantly water damaged iPhone can be replaced for just a deductible fee.
Preventing iPhone water damage
To avoid costly water damage in the first place, some preventative measures include:
- Using a waterproof case when going near water.
- Not using your iPhone in the rain without protection.
- Keeping drinks and other liquids away from your iPhone.
- Turning off and drying your iPhone if it gets wet before charging it.
- Avoiding humid environments like bathrooms or steam rooms.
- Not swimming or showering with your iPhone.
- Having an expert apply water sealing gaskets and adhesives.
While no iPhone is fully waterproof, taking preventive steps and acting quickly after water exposure can help avoid severe water damage scenarios.
Conclusion
Water damage in an iPhone can range from minor glitches to catastrophic component failure based on the amount of liquid exposure. Key signs include condensation under the glass, muffled audio, unresponsive buttons, blurred cameras, and of course complete failure to power on. Quickly drying out a wet iPhone and seeking professional repairs for any lingering issues can help recover damaged iPhones. With careful use around liquids and smart preventative measures, costly water damage scenarios can often be avoided.