If your iPhone 12 Pro accidentally falls into water, don’t panic. The phone is designed to withstand splashes and brief submersions in water, but extended exposure can still cause damage. Here’s a quick rundown of what to do if your iPhone takes an unexpected swim.
Can the iPhone 12 Pro get wet?
The iPhone 12 Pro has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. This means that it can withstand being submerged in up to 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes without damage. However, Apple does not recommend intentionally submerging the phone.
The key things to know about the iPhone 12 Pro’s water resistance are:
- It can withstand splashes, spills, and brief submersions.
- IP68 testing is conducted in controlled environments. Real-world conditions may cause damage.
- Water damage is not covered by the standard warranty.
- Prolonged submersion increases the risk of damage to seals and internal components.
So while the iPhone 12 Pro is water-resistant, it is not waterproof. Accidental exposure to water should not be a problem, but you’ll want to limit its time spent underwater.
What to do if your iPhone 12 Pro gets wet
If your iPhone has been exposed to liquid, follow these steps:
- Retrieve it quickly. Remove your iPhone from the water as soon as possible. The less time it spends submerged, the better.
- Dry it off. Gently wipe away any excess moisture using a soft, lint-free cloth. Be careful not to rub any debris that could scratch the phone.
- Don’t charge it. Water in the charging port can cause short circuits. Do not attempt to charge your wet iPhone.
- Allow it to air dry. Let your iPhone sit in a dry, well-ventilated area for at least 5-6 hours before trying to use it.
- Don’t use rice. It won’t help draw out the water and may get lodged in ports.
- Check for liquid in ports/speakers. Use a flashlight to inspect the charging port, ear speaker, and bottom speakers for any trapped moisture or debris.
- Test features one by one. After it has thoroughly dried, try turning it on and carefully testing features like the camera, microphone, speakers, buttons, and fingerprint sensor.
Following these steps gives your iPhone the best chance of surviving with minimal water damage. Be patient during the drying process and don’t try to rush it by charging or switching it on prematurely.
Signs of water damage on iPhone 12 Pro
How can you tell if water exposure has damaged your iPhone? Here are some signs to look out for:
- Distorted or muffled speakers
- Blurry camera, microphone or fingerprint sensor
- Flickering or unresponsive touchscreen
- Corrosion around ports, buttons or SIM tray
- Fog or condensation under the camera lenses
- Tiny water droplets visible inside the phone
- iPhone won’t turn on, even after drying
- Battery percentage gets stuck while charging
Severe water damage can trigger various hardware and software problems. If you notice any of these issues during testing, it’s best to stop using your iPhone and seek professional repair assistance.
Is it safe to charge an iPhone after water damage?
You’ll need to exercise caution when charging an iPhone that has been exposed to liquid. Here are some guidelines:
- Do not charge until fully dry. Trapped moisture can short-circuit the charging port.
- Carefully inspect the Lightning port for any debris or corrosion before connecting a cable.
- Use a known-good Apple cable and charger. Third-party accessories may not charge correctly.
- Keep an eye on the charging process. Unplug if you notice anything abnormal.
- Don’t leave it charging overnight unattended until you’ve verified it’s working normally.
- If in doubt, have the phone checked at an Apple Store before charging again.
The biggest risk is attempting to charge your iPhone when the insides are still wet. Be patient and only charge it after it has had time to fully dry out. Monitor it closely the first few times to confirm the battery is responding as expected.
How to dry out a wet iPhone 12 Pro
If your iPhone has taken a dunk, proper drying is critical. Here are some dos and don’ts for safely drying out a wet iPhone 12 Pro:
Do:
- Gently dab away exterior moisture with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Allow it to air-dry for at least 5-6 hours in a dry, ventilated space.
- Point a fan directly at the phone to help accelerate evaporation.
- Leave the SIM tray out during drying to help internal moisture escape.
- Use moisture-absorbing packs or silica gel to help draw out dampness.
- Be patient – slow drying is best to avoid short-circuits.
Don’t:
- Attempt to dry with heat sources like hairdryers or heat guns.
- Handle roughly or shake the phone to try and empty water.
- Plug in cables or charge until completely dry.
- Submerge in rice or other desiccants which can get stuck inside.
- Close the phone in an airtight bag, which can trap moisture.
The key is to allow your iPhone to dry thoroughly before restoring power. Don’t rush the process or attempt risky drying techniques. Letting it air dry in a well-ventilated, room-temperature area gives the best results.
How much does it cost to repair a water-damaged iPhone 12 Pro?
The cost to repair an iPhone 12 Pro that has been damaged by water exposure can vary significantly depending on the severity of the damage. Here are some average repair costs:
| Damage Level | Average Repair Cost* |
| Exposure to splashes/spills only | $0 if fully functional after drying |
| Brief submersion with minimal damage | $150 – $300 |
| Complete submersion resulting in corrosion | $500 – $700 |
| Extensive water damage requiring full device replacement | $800 – $1200+ |
*Estimates only. Prices may vary depending on location and repair provider.
Minor liquid damage that only requires drying and cleaning can sometimes be fixed for free if the phone remains functional. More significant damage like corroded internal components or shorted electronic boards will add to the cost. In cases where the entire phone is no longer salvageable, replacement may be your only option.
How to prevent water damage to iPhone
While the iPhone 12 Pro is water-resistant, there are steps you can take to further reduce the risks of water damage:
- Use a protective case to provide extra impact and splash protection.
- Avoid exposing your iPhone to water when possible.
- Keep ports covered with a watertight seal when wet.
- Never deliberately submerge or swim with your phone.
- Install a waterproof pouch when boating or at the beach.
- Ensure all seals are intact before using in wet environments.
- Immediately dry your phone off if it gets splashed.
Cases with sealed ports and high-impact shells can safeguard against the most common liquid damage causes. When accidental spills or splashes do occur, prompt action to dry and inspect your iPhone will go a long way towards keeping it safe.
Does AppleCare+ cover water damage on iPhone 12 Pro?
Standard AppleCare+ for iPhone does provide some protection against water damage, with a few limitations:
- You get up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, with a service fee per claim.
- Liquid contact must be unintentional – damage from submersion or reckless water exposure is not covered.
- Claims are subject to inspection and testing to confirm liquid was the cause.
- Coverage only includes operational hardware damage. Cosmetic issues like corrosion are not covered.
- Repairs may involve replacing damaged parts rather than the entire device.
So while AppleCare+ does not provide complete water damage protection, it can help significantly lower repair costs. Just be aware that intentional/excessive submersion, pre-existing conditions, and corrosion are outside the scope of coverage.
Should I trade in a water-damaged iPhone 12 Pro?
You can still trade in an iPhone 12 Pro that has prior water damage, but its valuation will be lower than a phone in good condition. Here are a few factors to consider:
- Be upfront about any liquid exposure when getting a valuation quote.
- Phones that function normally after drying can still retain decent trade-in value.
- Visible corrosion around ports, foggy lenses, or non-working features will significantly reduce value.
- Severely damaged devices may get a nominal scrap value or be rejected.
- Third-party services may offer slightly better valuations than Apple or carriers.
- Selling privately can potentially earn more money, but takes more time and effort.
In many cases, it still makes sense to trade in a working water-damaged iPhone 12 Pro to put credit towards a replacement. Just be upfront about the damage when getting quotes.
Does rice actually help dry out a wet iPhone?
Putting a wet iPhone into a bowl of rice is a commonly suggested home remedy for drying it out. However, this technique has some potential downsides:
- Rice can get stuck in ports or speaker holes.
- It may absorb minimal moisture through the phone’s exterior seals.
- The starch and dust on rice grains can leave residue.
- Hard grains can potentially scratch glass or plastic surfaces.
- Silica gel is a safer and more effective desiccant.
- Leaving the phone powered off in an open, dry area is best.
While rice won’t necessarily cause further damage, it’s not an ideal drying agent compared to room air or moisture-absorbing packs. Allowing your phone to air dry is the safest approach after any sort of water exposure.
Does putting an iPhone in rice fix water damage?
Here’s the truth on whether using rice to dry out a wet iPhone actually works:
- Rice only absorbs surface moisture – it cannot draw water from inside.
- Hard grains may lodge in ports and scratches glass surfaces.
- Rice tubs trap humidity and slow the drying process.
- Any perceived benefit is mainly due to powering the phone off, not the rice itself.
- Silica gel beads or moisture absorbers work better if desiccants are needed.
- Leaving the phone open in a dry room allows moisture to fully evaporate.
So while rice won’t necessarily damage your iPhone any further, it’s not doing much to actively help dry internal components. Letting your phone air dry is a safer and equally effective method after any sort of liquid exposure or submersion.
Conclusion
The iPhone 12 Pro has excellent water resistance and can often survive a quick dip with no issues. But extended submersion can still cause problems over time. If your phone does get wet, refrain from charging it until it has had time to thoroughly dry out. Carefully inspect for any retained moisture before restoring power. With prompt attention and some patience during drying, an exposed iPhone can often be revived with minimal permanent damage in most cases.