Dealing with water damage on your iPhone 6 can be stressful, but there are steps you can take to try to revive your device or at least minimize any permanent damage. In this article, we’ll go over some quick answers to common questions about iPhone 6 water damage and provide detailed instructions on how to handle the situation.
What to do immediately if your iPhone 6 gets wet?
If your iPhone 6 has been exposed to water, it’s important to act quickly. Here are the initial steps you should take:
- Remove your iPhone from the water source immediately.
- Turn off your iPhone by pressing and holding the Power button until you see the “slide to power off” prompt, then drag the slider.
- Do not try to turn your iPhone back on. Powering on an iPhone that’s wet can cause short-circuiting.
- Do not try to charge your wet iPhone. Charging can also lead to short-circuiting.
- Gently wipe away any excess moisture from your iPhone using a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not shake or wipe too vigorously.
- If possible, remove the SIM card tray. Use a SIM ejector tool or small paperclip to pop out the tray, then set it aside to dry out.
Following these steps right away can help prevent short circuits and minimize any permanent water damage. The quicker you can stop water from penetrating into your iPhone’s internal components, the better chance your device has of surviving the incident.
How to dry out your wet iPhone 6 properly?
Once you’ve immediately dealt with any standing water, you’ll need to thoroughly dry out your iPhone’s internal components. Here are some safe drying methods to try:
- Use a soft, absorbent cloth – Gently wipe down all surfaces of your iPhone to soak up excess moisture. Clean any ports or openings with a cotton swab.
- Compressed air – Use a can of compressed air to blow out moisture from any cracks or openings. Hold the can a few inches away to avoid damage.
- Rice or silica gel – Place your iPhone in a sealed bag or container, then submerge it in uncooked rice or silica gel packets. The rice/gel will help draw moisture out.
- Fan – Set your iPhone in front of fan blowing room-temperature air. The airflow will help evaporate the water.
- Drying kit – Use a dedicated moisture-absorbing phone drying kit that contains Silica beads or other drying agents.
Let your iPhone dry out for at least 24 hours before attempting to use it again. Longer drying times are needed for more severe water exposure. Removing covers/cases can also help the drying process.
How to find out if your iPhone 6 got water damage?
Here are some signs that your iPhone 6 has sustained water damage you should look out for:
- Condensation or fog under the screen
- Visible water droplets in ports, speakers, or cameras
- Corrosion around SIM card slot or charging port
- Muffled/distorted speakers
- Non-responsive touchscreen
- Problems charging or connecting to other devices
- Liquid contact indicator – A small liquid contact indicator inside the SIM card slot changes color if exposed to water.
If you notice any of these issues, there’s a good chance moisture has gotten inside your iPhone. The most definitive way to confirm is to have the device inspected at an Apple Store or authorized service provider.
Is it safe to charge your iPhone 6 after water damage?
It is not safe to charge an iPhone 6 that has been exposed to water until it has thoroughly dried out. Charging creates electrical currents through the device, which can cause shorts, fires, and component failure if there is still moisture present. To avoid further damage:
- Do not connect your wet iPhone to power until fully dry.
- If possible, remove the battery during drying to isolate components.
- When ready to charge, use an outlet with a surge protector for added safety.
- Watch carefully for symptoms like overheating and only charge for short periods.
- Consider getting your iPhone checked out at a repair shop before charging again.
Charging an iPhone before moisture has evaporated could make damage permanent. Give your phone ample time to dry first. When in doubt, get professional advice.
Can rice fix a wet iPhone 6?
Here is an overview on using rice to dry out and fix an iPhone 6 that has gotten wet:
- How it works: Rice absorbs moisture through diffusion. Placing the phone in rice draws water out gently from inside.
- Effectiveness: Rice can be moderately effective at drying an iPhone, but results depend on the amount of water exposure.
- Process: Shut off the phone, remove any covers, and place the device in a sealable bag or container filled with rice. Cover it completely. Let it sit for at least 24 hours.
- Considerations: The rice needs to be dry and free-flowing. Stirring periodically helps draw moisture out. Adding desiccant packs boosts effectiveness.
- Risks: Rice dust can get inside phone. Bigger grains may damage components. Rice alone cannot fix corrosion or short circuits.
- Alternatives: Silica gel packets work better than rice. Professional water extraction is most effective for major water exposure.
In summary, rice can potentially revive phones with minimal water contact but is not guaranteed to work and has some risks. Seek professional repair if rice does not restore phone functionality.
Does iPhone 6 have water damage indicator?
Yes, the iPhone 6 contains a built-in water contact indicator that can alert you if water or liquid has gotten inside your device:
- The indicator is located inside the SIM card slot.
- It has small white “litmus paper” that reacts to moisture.
- When dry, the paper is white. When wet, it turns pink or red.
- To view it, eject the SIM card tray. The indicator strip is near the SIM card slot opening.
- A red indicator means water has entered and tripped the sensor.
- The indicator does not turn red simply from humidity alone. Liquid is required.
- Note the liquid damage indicator can still stay white even if parts of the phone got wet internally.
- So it does not give a 100% definitive answer, but a red indicator strongly suggests water intrusion.
Checking the built-in water damage indicator can give you a clue if your iPhone 6 had water exposure issues. Bring the device into an Apple Store for a full inspection if you suspect any liquid contact.
Does iPhone 6 have water damage sensors?
In addition to the water contact indicator inside the SIM card slot, the iPhone 6 contains various water damage sensors on internal components that can detect moisture:
- Baseband chip under logic board
- Audio chipset/speaker contacts
- Front-facing camera and sensor cable
- Power, volume, home button control cables
- Back camera, proximity sensor cables
- LCD display connectors
- Vibration motor
- Headphone jack
- Battery terminals
If water reaches any of these sensors, it changes electrical resistance measurements, allowing diagnostic tools to detect water exposure. Sensors that trip cause an internal “Liquid Contact Indicator” error message.
Authorized service centers have access to diagnostic tools that can read iPhone water sensor data to identify damaged parts. This helps them properly repair phones with liquid damage.
Can you fix an iPhone 6 with water damage yourself?
It’s generally not recommended to try fixing an iPhone 6 with water damage yourself, for several reasons:
- Opening the phone to dry internal components can be very difficult without proper tools and can damage connectors.
- Replacing water-damaged parts requires microsoldering skills and access to OEM Apple parts.
- Incorrectly reassembling the device after working on it can disable Touch ID, Face ID, and more.
- Tampering with an iPhone 6 on your own voids its warranty coverage.
- You run the risk of destroying components if improperly handled.
The safest option is to allow a professional repair technician to fix an iPhone 6 with liquid damage. They have the technical expertise, equipment, and replacement parts to properly service water-affected iPhones and bring them back to life.
Should you replace or repair a water damaged iPhone 6?
Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace an iPhone 6 that has been exposed to water:
| Repair | Replace |
|---|---|
|
|
Additional factors:
- Cost of a replacement iPhone 6
- If you have AppleCare+ coverage
- Availability of replacement parts
- Your technical abilities
Weigh the pros and cons of repairing versus replacing. For moderate to severe water damage, replacing the iPhone 6 may make more sense overall.
How much does it cost to repair an iPhone 6 with water damage?
The cost to repair an iPhone 6 that has been damaged by water exposure can range from $75 to $349, depending on the severity and components affected:
| Repair Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Screen replacement | $129 – $149 |
| Battery replacement | $49 – $79 |
| Charge port fix | $75 – $99 |
| Speaker replacement | $75 – $99 |
| Front-facing camera | $75 – $99 |
| Back camera | $99 – $149 |
| Complete logic board | $349 |
Additional charges if other components like SIM card slot or home button are also damaged. Costs vary by region. Only professional repair can determine full damage.
Where to get a water damaged iPhone 6 repaired?
Here are some options for where to get professional repair service for an iPhone 6 that has water or liquid damage:
- Apple store – Apple technicians can assess damage and repair or replace water-exposed parts. Make an appointment at your local store’s Genius Bar.
- Apple Authorized Service Providers – Third-party repair shops officially certified by Apple to service devices.
- Independent repair shops – Local phone and electronics repair stores experienced in water damage repairs.
- Mail-in services – Companies you can ship your iPhone to for inspection and repair service.
- iPhone repair chains – National repair shops like uBreakiFix specialize in iPhone repairs.
Always verify repair shops have trained, experienced technicians. Apple Authorized Providers must meet Apple’s standards to receive official certification.
Can you trade in or sell an iPhone 6 with water damage?
It is usually not possible to trade in or sell an iPhone 6 that has had significant water damage for a reasonable value. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Most trade-in/buyback services do visual inspections for water damage and will reject severely affected devices.
- Phones are tested before being accepted for trade-in or sale.
- Visible water damage like corroded ports make a device ineligible for many trade-in programs.
- An iPhone 6 with water damage history will get a much lower trade-in value, if accepted at all.
- Selling to another person means disclosing water damage issues and reduces marketable value.
In some cases, traders may accept an iPhone 6 with minor exposure if fully cleaned/dried and restored to working order. But significant water damage makes reselling or trading an iPhone 6 nearly impossible.
Can you still use a water damaged iPhone 6?
It may be possible to continue using an iPhone 6 that has been exposed to water in some limited cases:
- If the water damage was very minor and dried properly, functionality may be restored.
- Defective parts like speakers or mics may work intermittently or poorly.
- Components unaffected by moisture like processor can still work normally.
- Using a water damaged iPhone comes with risks of shorts and malfunctions.
- Functionality can progressively deteriorate over time after water exposure.
- Phone should be monitored closely for faults if continuing to use it.
- May need to avoid getting it wet again to prevent total failure.
While an iPhone 6 with water damage history might still power on, its reliability is questionable. Get professional service or replace it for consistent performance and safety.
Conclusion
Water exposure can seriously damage an iPhone 6 but quick action combined with professional repair service can often save devices from permanent failure. If your iPhone 6 gets wet, be sure to follow the emergency water damage steps, allow it to dry fully before powering on, and seek technical help as needed to address any issues that arise. With some effort, an iPhone 6 that has been in contact with water can often be revived and restored.
