Getting water in your iPhone 12 Pro Max can be a scary situation. Your expensive new phone is suddenly at risk of serious damage if you don’t take action quickly. Thankfully, there are steps you can take right away to help save your iPhone and potentially avoid any long-term issues.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what to do, step-by-step, if your iPhone 12 Pro Max gets wet. We’ll cover how to dry it out, when to rice it, when to avoid rice, how to check for water damage, when to get professional help, and much more. Follow these tips properly and you stand the best chance of coming away unscathed after water exposure.
Assess the Situation
Your first move when you realize your iPhone got wet is to quickly assess the situation:
- Where did the water exposure occur – was the phone fully submerged or did just a small amount of liquid get in?
- What type of liquid are we talking about – water, soda, saltwater, etc?
- How long was the phone in contact with the liquid?
- Is the phone still on, or did it already shut itself down?
The more details you can gather initially, the better. For example, if the phone was just lightly splashed but is still running normally, that’s a very different scenario from if it took a plunge to the bottom of a pool and immediately powered off.
Taking stock of the details right away will allow you to determine the potential severity and act accordingly.
Immediately Dry It Off
If your iPhone is still on and working after getting wet, the first imperative step is to dry it off immediately. Every second that liquid sits inside the phone brings it closer to short circuiting and failing.
Use a microfiber cloth, soft towel, or anything absorbent you have on hand to gently wipe away excess moisture on the phone’s exterior. Be sure to pat dry any openings like the charging port, headphone jack, speaker grills, etc.
If you have compressed air available, which is ideal for electronics, use short bursts to try and blow out any droplets left over inside the openings.
Once you’ve wiped away all visible moisture, do not try to charge the phone or even turn it on. Powering on an iPhone before it’s fully dry risks causing electrical component failure.
Do Not Rice the Phone (Yet)
You may have heard the tip to place wet phones in rice to help draw out moisture. But placing your iPhone in rice immediately can actually cause more harm than good in the beginning.
This is because any grains of rice that get inside the phone when it’s still wet will stay stuck in there as it dries and potentially damage internal parts.
Rice can absorb ambient moisture through the air, but it works slowly over many hours. It’s most effective once you’ve done quicker initial drying steps first.
So you’ll want to hold off on the rice for now. If the phone still seems very damp after wiping and air drying, move on to other drying methods first.
Use a Fan to Dry It Faster
Applying some gentle warmth is a great way to speed up the drying process after wiping off any initial moisture.
Use something like a hair dryer on an extremely low heat setting (cool is best) or a fan and lightly blow air across the exterior of the phone. Keep it 6-12 inches away from the phone to avoid concentrated heat on one spot.
Rotate the phone to hit it from all angles and help evaporate any droplets left behind in the inner recesses. Spend extra time focusing on openings like the ports and speaker.
You want to aim for dispersing visible moisture, not actively heating the phone. So keep the temperature of the air flow low and distributed. Avoid anything high heat that risks damaging phone components.
This will help rapidly dry out what you can reach without risking short circuitry by turning on a still-wet iPhone.
Remove Phone Case and Other Accessories
Another step is to detach anything affixed to your iPhone that could be trapping moisture against its body.
Carefully remove any case, cover or bumpers attached to your iPhone when it got wet. Thoroughly pat dry the phone’s full exterior now that the case is off.
Also, remove any ports, headphones or connector cables that were plugged into the phone during water exposure. Dry out their connection points as well.
This helps ensure you aren’t sealing in moisture underneath phone accessories as it dries out.
Absorb Moisture with Desiccants
For stubborn moisture that may be lingering in crevices and inside the phone, desiccant packs can help absorb what’s left.
Desiccants are crystalized drying agents, often made of silica gel, that draw and absorb ambient moisture. They rapidly pull moisture away from surfaces through the air.
Place your damp iPhone and a few desiccant packs together in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. This concentrates the drying power of the packs on your phone.
Let it sit sealed for at least 12-24 hours so the packs can fully pull any remaining moisture from the interior and openings.
Use Rice as a Last Resort
Ok, now that you’ve done immediate drying steps, it’s safe to consider using rice. The grains can absorb small amounts of leftover moisture from the air over several hours.
Place your iPhone buried in a bowl of uncooked rice deep enough to cover it completely. Seal it with plastic wrap or put the bowl in a bag to contain the rice. Let it sit for 24-48 hours.
The rice will gradually pull out ambient moisture as the last bit inside evaporates. Just remember this is only helpful once initial drying methods have been used. Rice alone won’t be effective if the phone is still wet.
When the time is up, carefully clean out any rice particles and inspect the phone. If no more moisture remains, you can move to testing it.
Avoid Powering It On Until Totally Dry
No matter how tempting it is, never try to turn on your iPhone to test it until you are 100% certain no moisture remains.
Powers on electronics before completely drying risks short circuiting and electric component failure. Even small amounts of lingering liquid can still damage it when energized.
Err on the side of caution and invest the full time needed to dry out using the methods above first. Test function only after you’ve allowed thorough drying.Skipping this can doom your phone when it had a chance.
Inspect for Water Damage
Once your iPhone feels completely dry and several hours have passed, inspect it closely for any signs of water damage before powering it back on.
Look for things like:
- Corrosion on electrical contacts
- Fogging or condensation inside camera lenses
- Visibility inside moisture indicator strips (small strips inside SIM tray that change color when wet)
- Cracked glass from liquid exposure
- Discoloration or blurred text under screen glass
Hopefully you don’t find any of these indications water reached the interior. But if you do spot these warning signs, it’s possible the liquid caused internal damage. You may need professional help.
If all looks ok, it’s time to try turning it on.
Test iPhone Functions
The moment of truth has arrived. With your iPhone appearing dry and undamaged, press and hold the side button to switch it back on.
Hopefully it boots up normally. If it powers on, run through testing all the phone’s functions:
- Check the touchscreen responds properly
- Confirm buttons and switches are reactive
- Test front and rear cameras in different apps
- Try speaker audio and headphone audio
- Run speed tests on cellular data and WiFi
- Ensure Bluetooth and GPS connections work
- Test battery charging and that percentage goes up
You want to verify every component works correctly, which takes some time. The good news is that if your iPhone passes all tests with no issues, it likely survived its water exposure unharmed!
But if you notice any glitches, freezing, cameras failing, speaker problems, etc it indicates water reached internal components. You’ll want professional repair.
When to Seek Repair Help
While thoroughly drying your iPhone yourself can resolve many wet device issues, it’s not a guaranteed fix.
Liquid can still reach internal parts before you dry it, corrosion can set in unseen, and damage may linger even once it powers back on.
We recommend getting professional repair help if you notice any of the following:
- Phone won’t turn back on after drying
- ObviousIndicatorsof water damage inside
- Touchscreen or buttons not responsive
- Cameras, mics, or speakers failing
- Battery charging inconsistently
- Cellular or WiFi connectivity problems
- Operating system glitches or freezing
The technicians have specialized tools for dismantling and cleaning out phones to remediate liquid damage and its effects. They can thoroughly dry interior components, replace any damaged parts, and get your iPhone working good as new again.
Contact Apple Support
For the latest model iPhone 12 Pro Max that’s still under warranty, contacting Apple Support is your best bet for repair help after water exposure.
Apple can run diagnostics to accurately assess any damage present. Their technicians will properly restore your iPhone using genuine replacement parts when needed.
The company does charge out-of-warranty fees, but their expert repairs ensure your iPhone retains maximum value. You also get direct access to iOS software support during the process.
To initiate a repair claim, contact Apple Support online or by phone, describe the water exposure incident, and schedule an appointment at an Apple Store or mail-in repair center.
Use a Reputable Third-Party Repair Shop
For older model iPhones no longer covered by Apple’s warranty, utilizing an established third-party electronics repair shop is a smart choice.
A well-reviewed local store specializing in mobile devices is ideal. Search for ones with proven experience successfully fixing water damaged phones.
The right independent shop will have certified technicians that can quickly diagnose issues. They’ll use high quality parts to fix any component failures and won’t cut corners.
Avoid discount shops with no credentials that drill phone holes or use damaging liquid-displacement methods. Responsible repair is important.
Contact Your Phone Carrier
Some cellular carriers like Verizon and AT&T offer customers repair services for phones under contract. If your iPhone was provided by your carrier when signing up for service, check their support site or call.
They may cover a complimentary one-time repair if the water damage occurred within the contract period. There also may be fees involved, but cheaper than non-contract rates.
Carrier repair tends to be faster than mail-in service and you can likely schedule it immediately at one of their authorized locations. Just ensure they use a proper method, not damaging shortcuts.
Use Phone Insurance if Applicable
Mobile phone insurance, often bundled with premium credit cards, can help redeem water damaged devices. Make sure to always file a damage claim right away after any mishap.
Most policies require you to return the damaged phone and provide a deductible payment, usually $49-$99. Then they will issue compensation for the depreciated value to put toward a replacement.
While you need to get a new phone, insurance can make replacing a water damaged iPhone much more affordable. Just be sure policies were active at the time of the incident.
Do a Trade-In for Credit
Even water damaged iPhones hold some residual value on electronics trade-in marketplaces, especially newer models. Services like Decluttr, ItsWorthMore, and MyPhonesVia offer competitive quotes.
Describe the issues from water exposure when requesting a quote. Provide as much detail as possible. Disclose any cosmetic or functional defects now as well.
If quoted enough for your liking, complete the sale. They provide prepaid shipping, you send in the damaged phone, and they issue agreed upon payment. Use the trade-in credit toward a replacement iPhone.
Sell it for Parts
Listing your water damaged iPhone for sale on eBay or other similar sites lets you make a few bucks back even if unusable. Specifying it’s only for usable parts helps attract interest from repair shops.
Make sure to note exactly what condition the phone is in, which parts remain functional, and details surrounding the water damage in your description. Provide plenty of pictures as well.
While you’ll get less than for a working phone, people are still willing to buy water damaged devices for components that survived intact. Removing any account credentials before shipping is essential.
Safely Dispose as E-Waste
If your iPhone is too far gone for any kind of salvage from extensive water damage, it’s best to properly recycle it as electronic waste. Search for a reputable e-waste facility near you.
Make sure to remove and wipe any sensitive data first. Some locations let you mail in devices. Proper e-waste disposal ensures toxic materials inside don’t end up in landfills.
While the worst case outcome, at least recycling ensures you don’t negatively impact the environment. And drops damaged electronics off responsibly.
Prevent Water Damage in the Future
To avoid ever having to deal with this headache again, be cautious and take preventative measures for your next iPhone:
- Get a waterproof case – Protection up to 30+ feet deep is available
- Avoid taking phones near water – Don’t set it poolside
- Turn off battery when wet – Prevents short circuit if exposed
- Dry it ASAP – Follow the steps outlined earlier
- Keep it in rice when not using – Abundant moisture absorption
- Never charge wet – Worst time to input power
- Inspect seals regularly – Ensure no gaps for liquid
Being proactive goes a long way towards keeping water far away from your iPhone’s delicate internals.
Conclusion
Getting an iPhone 12 Pro Max wet can be extremely nerve wracking. But in many cases, you can recover from it with the right response.
First priority is to immediately dry it off without powering it on again until all moisture is gone. With some diligence using fans, desiccants and rice, you can evaporate it all given enough time.
Inspect closely for any lingering water damage before testing it out. If you caught it quick enough and dried it out fully, there’s a good chance your iPhone survives unscathed.
But also recognize when professional repair may be necessary based on the symptoms. Use reputable help like Apple, carriers, or third-party shops. Or cash in via insurance and trade-ins.
Just act fast when the incident first happens, methodically dry your iPhone, and don’t give up too quickly. With smart diligent effort, you can hopefully salvage your iPhone 12 Pro Max from any unfortunate water encounters.