Assess the Extent of the Water Damage
The first step is to determine where and how much water got inside the phone. Was your iPhone fully submerged in water or just splashed or exposed to moisture? Pay close attention to where the water made contact and any signs of internal water damage.
Check the external ports like the charging port, headphone jack, SIM card tray, speaker and microphone holes for any water or moisture. Use a flashlight to look inside these ports and holes.
Also inspect the screen, buttons, camera lens, earpiece and other external parts for water. If the phone was fully submerged, it’s safe to assume water got inside.
Examine the Liquid Contact Indicator inside the SIM card tray, which turns red if water penetrates inside. You’ll need a SIM removal tool to open the tray and view the indicator.
Identifying the water exposure points and extent of damage is crucial for troubleshooting and determining the best repair method. Thoroughly dry the phone and remove all moisture before attempting to power on the device.
Do Not Charge or Turn on Phone
It is crucial not to charge or turn on your iPhone 6 immediately after it has been exposed to water. Powering on a wet iPhone can cause short circuits, and attempt to charge it can result in permanent damage to the battery or logic board.
When an iPhone is wet, water can get inside small crevices and make connections between components that are not designed to touch. If power is applied in this state, it can rapidly lead to shorts, fires, and destruction of internal chips and fuses. The water itself can also corrode or oxidize metal contacts and circuitry over time if the phone is powered on before drying.
To avoid catastrophic failure, leave the iPhone 6 completely unpowered until it has had time to dry thoroughly. Patience is required to allow sufficient drying before applying any power. According to Apple discussions, placing the phone in a bag of uncooked rice can help absorb moisture, but may take up to 3 days to fully dry out. Do not attempt to speed drying with external heat. Allow your iPhone to air dry completely before pressing any buttons or connecting any chargers.
Dry the iPhone Thoroughly
After getting the iPhone wet, it is important to thoroughly dry it as soon as possible to avoid permanent water damage. The first step is to remove any protective case and dry the exterior of the phone with a soft, lint-free cloth or towel. Be sure to pat gently and avoid rubbing, which could push water further into crevices.
Apple recommends letting the iPhone air dry for at least 24 hours before attempting to turn it on or charge it (Source). Placing it in front of a fan or in a dry, warm area can help speed up the drying process. However, avoid using any external heat sources like a hairdryer or placing it in rice, which are not effective drying methods according to experts.
Allowing ample time for the iPhone to thoroughly air dry gives any residual moisture a chance to evaporate before risking short circuiting or corrosion when power is applied. Be patient and refrain from testing the phone until you are confident no liquid remains.
Remove SIM Card and Other Parts
To thoroughly dry out the inside of the iPhone 6, you will need to open up the phone and remove key components like the SIM card, battery, and logic board. Be very gentle when handling these parts.
Use a small Phillips head screwdriver to unscrew the two screws on the bottom of the phone near the charging port. This will allow you to pry open the screen and access the interior of the phone.[1]
Locate the SIM card slot and use a paperclip or SIM removal tool to pop out the SIM card tray. Gently remove the SIM card and set it aside to dry.
Carefully disconnect the battery cable connector and remove the battery. Lay it on a dry towel or cloth.
Use tweezers to gently lift up and disconnect any other small connectors for parts like the logic board. Remove the main logic board and lay it on a towel as well.
Use a clean, dry towel or cloth to gently pat down the SIM card, battery, logic board, and any other parts you removed. Allow them ample time to air dry before reassembling.
Use Absorbent Materials
One of the most effective ways to dry out a water-damaged iPhone is to place it in a bag or box filled with rice, silica gel packs, or other moisture-absorbing materials for 1-3 days. Rice is a popular choice as it is inexpensive and readily available. The rice will help draw out any moisture from inside the phone.
First, purchase some dry, uncooked rice. Do not use instant or pre-cooked rice varieties as they contain less starch and absorb less water. Next, fill a sealable plastic bag or airtight container with the rice, making sure to spread it out in a single layer at the bottom. Place the water-damaged iPhone on top of the rice, then seal the bag/container. The phone should be fully surrounded by rice to maximize surface contact.
Let the phone sit undisturbed in the rice for 24-72 hours. The rice will gradually absorb any residual moisture inside the phone. Check on it periodically and flip the phone over or stir the rice to expose all sides. When ready, carefully remove the iPhone and inspect. If any moisture remains, repeat the process until fully dry.
For best results, use fresh, dry rice each time. The rice can then be discarded or reused for other purposes once it has absorbed moisture from the phone. With some time and patience, the rice method can be highly effective for rescuing a water-damaged iPhone.
Do Not Use External Heat
When drying a water-damaged iPhone, it is important not to use external heat sources like hairdryers, heat guns, or ovens. The high temperatures from these appliances can potentially cause further damage to the iPhone’s internal components like the battery and logic board (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8398497).
Exposing the iPhone to too much concentrated heat can melt adhesives, warp plastic parts, or cause solder connections to fail. It is safer to gently dry the iPhone using indirect heat at normal room temperature, or with desiccant packs or rice which absorb moisture (https://www.macworld.com/article/668606/how-to-fix-a-wet-or-water-damaged-iphone.html). The key is to be patient and allow any internal moisture to evaporate slowly over time. Avoiding external heat sources reduces the risk of thermal damage during the drying process.
Check for Corrosion
Once you have thoroughly dried out your iPhone’s internal components, it’s important to inspect closely for any signs of corrosion. This is especially crucial if the phone was exposed to salt water, which can quickly cause corrosion.
Use a flashlight to carefully examine the logic board, connectors, battery, and other electronics. Look for any discoloration, mineral deposits, or rust. Pay special attention to small crevices where moisture and corrosion can easily hide.
If you spot any corrosion, use a soft brush or cotton swab dipped in 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol to gently clean the affected areas. Be very careful not to apply too much force or pressure, as components can be fragile. The alcohol will help dissolve and displace any minerals left behind by the water.
After cleaning, allow the parts to fully air dry before reassembling. Be sure to test all functions afterwards. Significant corrosion may require professional repair or replacement of parts. But cleaning right away gives your iPhone the best chance of bouncing back after water exposure.
Reassemble the iPhone
Once the iPhone is completely dry, it’s time to reassemble the device. Begin by reinstalling the battery, ensuring the connectors are fully seated. Next, reinstall the logic board, carefully lining up the connectors. Reinsert the SIM card and any other removable parts like the volume buttons or vibration motor. Check that all connectors are firmly in place before reattaching the display assembly.
To complete the reassembly process, attach the display assembly to the phone’s body, pressing firmly along the edges to adhere it. Replace any missing screws and reattach the external screws. Finally, reinstall the rear casing, pressing it into place until it clicks. Take care when reassembling to avoid damaging any components.
Refer to this guide for step-by-step instructions and visuals on properly reassembling an iPhone 6 after water damage.
Test Functionality
After the iPhone has dried thoroughly and been reassembled, the next step is to test that all the phone’s features and functions still work properly. Turn on the phone and make sure the screen illuminates and the operating system loads as expected. Connect the charging cable to the Lightning port and confirm the phone begins charging. If it does not, the port may still have residual moisture. Use a can of compressed air to blow out any remaining water.
Check that the speakers and microphone are functioning by making a phone call or playing music out loud. The sound should come through clearly without issues like crackling. Examine the phone’s cameras – front and back – by taking a few test photos. Review the photos to verify the cameras do not have condensation or other issues affecting image quality. Finally, inspect other physical buttons like the volume, power, mute switch, etc. to ensure they provide tactile feedback when pressed. According to Apple Support, water damage can disable touchscreen functionality, so it is also important to test the touchscreen by opening and closing apps, tapping buttons, and swiping through screens (1).
If any aspect of the iPhone is not fully operational after testing, it likely means water caused internal damage. Professional repair may be required in that case.
Seek Repair if Needed
If after drying out the phone and reassembling it, the iPhone 6 still isn’t working properly, you may need to take it to a repair shop for a more thorough assessment and possible part replacements. Repair shops have the expertise to fully disassemble the phone, thoroughly clean and dry internal components, and test for issues. They can also replace any corroded or damaged parts.
The cost to repair an iPhone 6 with water damage depends on the extent of the damage. According to Gazelle (https://www.gazelle.com/thehorn/2022/07/28/repair-cost-of-water-damaged-phone/), minor repairs can range from $60-150, while more extensive damage requiring full device replacement can cost over $300. Take the phone to a reputable repair shop for a quote on the cost of needed repairs.