If you’ve accidentally dropped your iPhone in water but it still seems to be working, don’t panic! While water exposure can damage your iPhone, there are some steps you can take to help minimize any issues and potentially save your phone.
What to do immediately after dropping your iPhone in water?
If your iPhone has been exposed to water, it’s important to act quickly. Here are some tips for what to do right away:
- Retrieve your phone from the water. Remove it as quickly as possible to limit water exposure.
- Do not try to power on your phone. Attempting to turn on a wet iPhone can short circuit it.
- Dry off your phone with a clean, soft cloth to remove excess moisture.
- Do not try using things like rice or a hairdryer to dry your phone. This can push water further inside.
- Disconnect all cables from your iPhone, including the charging cable.
- If possible, remove the SIM card tray to drain out liquid.
How to check if water caused any damage?
Once you’ve dried off your iPhone, here are some signs of water damage to look for:
- If you can see moisture or condensation under the screen or camera lenses
- Faulty speakers, microphone or headphone jack
- Issues with touchscreen responsiveness
- Problems charging your phone
- Corrosion around ports, buttons or SIM tray
- Fogging inside the camera
If you don’t notice any immediate issues, you’ll still want to watch for problems over the next few days. Damage can progress over time.
How to dry out your water damaged iPhone?
If liquid made its way inside your iPhone, you’ll need to thoroughly dry it out. Here are some safe drying methods:
- Leave your phone powered off and allow it to air dry for at least 24 hours. Water will evaporate gradually.
- Use a dry, absorbent cloth to wipe down all openings like the charging port. Carefully dry the SIM card tray.
- Place your phone in front of a fan. Direct airflow can help speed up drying.
- Put your iPhone in a sealable bag of dry rice. Rice will absorb residual moisture.
- Use moisture absorbing packs designed for electronics. These pull water out.
- Do not use a hairdryer or other heat source to dry your iPhone.
How long to dry an iPhone after water damage?
It can take 1-3 days for your iPhone to fully dry out after being submerged in liquid. Be patient and allow it to air dry before attempting to use it again.
How to clean water damaged iPhone ports and openings?
Water exposure can cause corrosion buildup around the openings and ports on your iPhone. Here’s how to safely clean them:
- Use a toothpick or soft brush to gently clear any liquid or debris from ports.
- Clean the charging port with a cotton swab moistened with isopropyl alcohol.
- For the headphone jack, use compressed air to clear any moisture.
- Check the SIM card tray for trapped liquid and debris.
- Do not insert anything metal into the ports to avoid further damage.
How to clean an iPhone speaker after water damage?
If your iPhone speaker sounds muffled or low after water exposure, gently clean the exterior holes. Use a dry toothbrush or soft-bristled brush to brush out any water or debris blocking the speaker.
How to fix an iPhone microphone not working after water?
If your microphone has stopped working properly, use a can of compressed air to blow out any lingering moisture in the microphone hole. Let your iPhone fully dry out for at least 24-48 hours.
Will rice fix a wet iPhone?
Placing your wet iPhone in rice is a common recommendation for drying it out. Here’s an overview of using rice:
- Rice can help absorb excess moisture from your iPhone.
- Bury your phone in a bowl or bag of dry, uncooked rice. Cover it completely.
- Let your iPhone sit for at least 24 hours to allow the rice to absorb liquid.
- Stir the rice around halfway through to maximize water absorption.
- Make sure no rice grains get into the ports or openings.
- Rice alone cannot fix water damage, but is helpful for drying.
Does rice actually work to dry an iPhone?
Yes, rice is an effective way to help draw moisture out of a wet iPhone. The rice will gradually extract water from your phone’s interior and ports as it sits. Allow at least a full day in rice to help dry it out.
Will iPhone rice trick work if fully submerged?
If your iPhone was fully submerged in water, the rice trick can still be helpful but may not be enough on its own. Here are some tips:
- Shake out excess water before placing in rice.
- Make sure rice direct contacts all openings and ports.
- Bury your iPhone fully in rice so it can work its way inside.
- Let your phone dry for at least 72 hours, stirring periodically.
- The rice will extract water over time, but damage may still occur.
- After drying, you may need to have your iPhone repaired or replaced.
Is it safe to charge an iPhone after water damage?
You should not attempt to charge a water damaged iPhone until it is fully dried out. Here are some precautions when charging an exposed iPhone:
- Do not connect your iPhone to a charger if it is still wet.
- Make sure all ports and openings are completely dry before charging.
- Use the charger to test functionality, but charge in short bursts to avoid damage.
- Look for warning signs like overheating or strange noises while charging.
- If you have any doubts about water in the charging port, delay charging.
- Wireless charging can be safer than wired charging after water exposure.
Can you charge an iPhone with rice inside?
It is not safe to charge your iPhone while it is buried in rice. The rice can get into the charging port and obstruct the electrical connection. Always remove your phone from rice and wipe it dry before attempting to charge it.
Does iPhone liquid contact indicator turn red?
Inside every iPhone is a small moisture-sensing sticker called the Liquid Contact Indicator. Here’s what it does:
- The indicator is located in the SIM card slot.
- It will turn from white to red if it comes into contact with liquid.
- A red indicator means water has gotten inside your iPhone.
- The color change is permanent and can’t be reversed.
- An authorized Apple store can replace your Liquid Contact Indicator.
- A red indicator alone does not always mean your iPhone is damaged.
What does red liquid indicator mean for iPhone?
A red Liquid Contact Indicator means your iPhone has been exposed to moisture. While this can indicate water damage, it does not necessarily mean your phone won’t still function normally. The indicator turns red even with small amounts of moisture so you’ll need to fully inspect and test your iPhone.
Can you fix an iPhone with water damage yourself?
It is possible to fix some iPhone water damage yourself, but the best method depends on the extent of the issue:
- Drying out your phone – You can dry a wet iPhone yourself using the rice method or desiccant packs.
- Cleaning ports/openings – Use compressed air and isopropyl alcohol to clean out ports and dry out moisture.
- Replacing parts – You may need to replace water damaged parts like the battery or screen. This requires technical skill.
- Major damage – With major water damage, it is safest to take your iPhone to a professional repair shop.
What can Apple store do for water damaged iPhone?
An Apple store can offer the following services for a water damaged iPhone depending on the extent of the issue:
- Diagnostic testing to check iPhone functions
- Professional cleaning and drying methods
- Part replacements like new battery or screen
- Out-of-warranty repairs or replacements
- Data recovery from water damaged device
- Cost estimate for full repair or replacement
Does Apple Care cover water damage?
AppleCare+ provides some coverage for iPhone water damage, with a few limitations:
- AppleCare+ covers two incidents of accidental damage with a service fee.
- Water damage is considered accidental damage.
- The service fee is $99 for screen or back glass damage.
- Other water damage has a higher $299 service fee.
- Water damage must be inspected to determine repairability.
- AppleCare+ does not cover catastrophic liquid damage.
Can Apple Care replace water damaged iPhone?
With AppleCare+ coverage, Apple may replace a water damaged iPhone if it is determined to be beyond economical repair. The $299 accidental damage service fee applies. Without AppleCare+, an out-of-warranty replacement may be offered at full retail cost.
How much does Apple charge for water damage repair?
The cost to repair an iPhone water damage issue depends on the parts and labor involved. Some typical Apple repair fees include:
- Screen replacement – $129
- Battery replacement – $49
- Other minor repairs – $99
- Extensive repairs – $299+
- Out of warranty replacement iPhone – $299+
- Data recovery – $500-$1400+
Contact Apple Support for a specific repair quote based on your iPhone model and water damage details.
Does Apple store replace or repair water damaged iPhones?
For water damaged iPhones, Apple will first run diagnostics to determine if individual parts can be repaired. If the iPhone cannot be fixed with part repairs, Apple will offer a replacement phone for an out-of-warranty fee based on your model.
Can you trade in an iPhone with water damage?
Many carriers and retailers do accept water damaged iPhones for trade-in, but with reduced value. Here are some tips for trading in a water damaged device:
- The phone must power on to be eligible for trade-in.
- Describe any water damage when estimating your trade-in value.
- Expect to receive significantly less credit vs. a working phone.
- Factory reset your iPhone before trading it in.
- Remove any water indicators if they have turned red.
- Be upfront about any device issues to avoid hassles.
Can you trade in an iPhone with red water indicator?
Most retailers will still accept an iPhone with a red water indicator, but at a lower trade-in value. To improve your trade-in offer, thoroughly dry out your iPhone and test it to ensure there is no functional water damage.
Conclusion
If you act quickly after water exposure, there are good chances of saving your iPhone from permanent damage. Dry it thoroughly with rice or desiccant packs, clean the openings, and avoid charging it until all moisture is gone. For major water damage, take your iPhone to Apple or a professional repair shop. With some luck and the right drying techniques, your iPhone can recover fully from a quick dip in water.