What to do when your iPhone gets wet?

Having your iPhone accidentally exposed to water or other liquids is a common problem that many users face. Water can cause serious damage to the internal components of your iPhone and impact its functionality. However, there are some quick steps you can take right away to try and save your water-damaged iPhone.

What to do immediately

If your iPhone has been exposed to water, it is important to act quickly. Here are the steps to take immediately:

  • Remove your iPhone from the water source as soon as possible. The longer it remains in contact with water, the more potential damage can occur.
  • Do not try to turn on your iPhone or charge it. Exposing water-damaged electronics to electricity can cause short circuits and permanent damage.
  • Dry the exterior of your iPhone with a clean, soft cloth to soak up excess moisture.
  • If possible, use a vacuum cleaner on the low suction setting to suck up any water from the iPhone’s openings like the headphone jack, lightning port, speaker grille and microphone.
  • Remove any wet case or cover from the iPhone.
  • Do not insert anything like cotton swabs into the ports to dry them out as this could push water further inside.

Dry out your iPhone thoroughly

After taking the immediate steps above, it is crucial to dry out your iPhone as much as possible to remove any remaining moisture:

  • Use dry, soft, absorbent cloth to gently wipe down the entire surface, paying close attention to openings like the charging port.
  • If possible, leave your iPhone to dry out for at least 24 hours in a dry environment. Placing it in front of a fan can help speed up drying.
  • Do not dry the iPhone using an external heat source like a hairdryer or oven which could potentially damage the device.
  • Pack your iPhone with dried, uncooked rice. The rice will help absorb residual moisture. Place your iPhone and rice in an air-tight zip lock bag for at least 24-48 hours.
  • Use moisture-absorbing products like silica gel packs. Place your iPhone and packs in an airtight container for several hours.
  • Investing in a water drying product specifically designed for smartphones can also help remove moisture.

After drying your iPhone

Once your iPhone has had time to thoroughly dry out, you can take the following steps:

  • Try removing your iPhone’s SIM card tray and inspecting for moisture or corrosion.
  • Use a toothpick to gently clean out the lightning port, headphone jack, speakers, microphone and other openings to remove any remaining water or debris.
  • Check the water indicator strips on your iPhone. Pink or red strips mean water damage has occurred.
  • Plug your iPhone into a charger and see if it powers on and functions normally.
  • If you have trouble powering on your device, try a force restart by pressing and releasing the volume up button, then pressing and releasing the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
  • For iPhones without a home button, press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button.

When to avoid turning your iPhone back on

In some cases, it is best to keep your iPhone powered off for an extended period after water exposure rather than trying to turn it on right away. Avoid turning your iPhone back on if:

  • The water damage indicators show the inside components are still very wet.
  • You notice visible water droplets or condensation inside the display screen.
  • The phone exhibits a cloudy or foggy appearance indicating trapped moisture.
  • You observe corrosion around ports, connectors or internally.

Keep drying your iPhone out over several days before attempting to power it back on if any of these signs of extensive water exposure are present.

When to seek professional iPhone repair

In many cases of iPhone water damage, user-attempted fixes at home can be effective. However, it is best to enlist professional Apple repair services if any of the following apply:

  • Your iPhone shows no signs of powering on even after thorough drying.
  • You observe corrosion on internal hardware components.
  • Important functions like the battery, cameras, speakers, microphone or buttons stop working.
  • The display screen is unresponsive, cracked or damaged from water exposure.
  • You believe critical internal component damage exists.
  • DIY troubleshooting and drying methods have not restored functionality.

Certified Apple repair technicians have the proper tools, testing equipment and components to accurately diagnose your iPhone, make any needed repairs and restore your device to working order after water damage.

Cost of water damage repair for iPhones

The cost for professional iPhone repair from water damage can vary significantly based on the specific model and extent of damage. Here are some average iPhone water damage repair costs:

iPhone Model Estimated Repair Cost
iPhone 14/14 Pro $500 – $800
iPhone 13/13 Pro $450 – $700
iPhone 12/12 Pro $400 – $600
iPhone 11/11 Pro $300 – $500
iPhone XS/XS Max $250 – $450
iPhone XR/X $200 – $400
iPhone 8/8 Plus $150 – $300
iPhone 7/7Plus $100 – $250

The total charges will depend on factors like your specific iPhone model, the components affected, part costs and labor time needed for repair work. More extensive damage will require pricier repairs.

How to avoid water damage to iPhones

While accidental water exposure can sometimes happen despite precautions, there are steps you can take to avoid iPhone water damage:

  • Use a protective waterproof case when going near water. Quality waterproof cases can withstand immersion for short periods.
  • Attach a lanyard or wrist strap to your iPhone if using near water to avoid drops.
  • Keep your iPhone away from areas where it could get splashed, such as next to the kitchen sink.
  • Never use your iPhone in the bathroom where it can be knocked into the tub or toilet.
  • Avoid placing your iPhone in a pants pocket when washing clothes or dishes.
  • Take extra care when on or near boats and around pools or tubs.
  • Avoid spills by not eating or drinking near your iPhone.
  • Only use your iPhone outdoors during dry weather conditions.
  • Keep liquids securely lidded when transported in bags with your iPhone.

Does AppleCare cover water damage?

Standard AppleCare plans for iPhones do not cover accidental water damage. However, you can pay extra for AppleCare+ which adds protection from a limited number of incidents of accidental damage from liquid and other causes.

With AppleCare+ you get up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage each subject to a service fee:

  • iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max – $99 service fee
  • iPhone 14/14 Plus – $79 service fee
  • iPhone 13/13 Pro – $99 service fee
  • iPhone 12/12 Pro – $99 service fee
  • iPhone 11 – $99 service fee
  • iPhone XS/XR – $99 service fee
  • iPhone X – $99 service fee
  • iPhone 8/7 – $99 service fee
  • iPhone 6s/SE – $99 service fee

This can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket repair costs if you ever need to get water damage fixed.

DIY troubleshooting tips

Before taking your iPhone for professional service, you can try some DIY troubleshooting steps:

  • Force restart your iPhone – Press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then press and hold side button.
  • Reset your iPhone – Go to Settings > General > Reset and choose Reset All Settings.
  • Check for iOS updates – Buggy software can cause issues. Update to the latest iOS version.
  • Test functionality in Safe Mode – Restart your iPhone and hold the volume down button while booting up to temporarily disable all third-party apps and services.
  • Remove case and inspect for trapped moisture – Water may be trapped around the case gaskets.
  • Clean ports and connectors – Lint and debris in the ports can cause connection problems.
  • Let battery drain completely then charge to 100% – This can recalibrate the battery.

If DIY troubleshooting does not resolve the issues, take your iPhone to Apple or an authorized service provider for professional repair assistance.

Water damage repair methods

Certified iPhone repair technicians have various methods to diagnose and fix devices damaged from water exposure. Common water damage repair procedures include:

  • Ultrasonic cleaning – High frequency sound waves dislodge particles and moisture inside the iPhone.
  • IPA (isopropyl alcohol) bath – Submerging the logic board in IPA removes corrosion and residual water.
  • Microsoldering – Damaged solder joints are carefully re-heated and re-soldered at the component level.
  • Corrosion removal – Corroded areas are cleaned and neutralized to avoid further damage.
  • Water indicator replacement – Burnt out liquid contact indicator strips are swapped out for accurate future water damage assessment.
  • Component level repair – Individual damaged hardware like the battery, dock connector, speakers and cameras are replaced.

The right combination of precision tools, diagnostics equipment, component parts and repair expertise can often resuscitate an iPhone from substantial water damage and restore normal function.

Temporary fixes when waiting for iPhone repair

If you need to wait a few days for an appointment to get your water damaged iPhone professionally serviced, here are some temporary fixes to improve functionality in the meantime:

  • Blow dry ports/buttons – Use cool setting to dry out external parts.
  • Vacuum microphone and speaker holes – Carefully vacuum out any moisture clogging the openings.
  • Dab rubbing alcohol inside ports – Evaporates moisture and inhibits corrosion.
  • Try a different charging cable – Debris in the lightning port can prevent charging.
  • Pair with Bluetooth headset – Allows hands-free calling if speaker is damaged.
  • Sync data to cloud – Back up data before potential data loss.
  • Turn on AssistiveTouch – Enables onscreen home/volume/screenshots without physical buttons.

These quick fixes could help get you by for a few days until professional repair technicians can fully service your iPhone.

Best moisture-absorbing products

Specialized moisture-absorbing products help draw water out of your iPhone. Some top products are:

  • PhoneSoap – Desiccant chamber with UV-C sanitizing lights.
  • DryBox Rescue – Silica beads absorb moisture in an airtight container.
  • Ministry of Supply Dryer – Heated chamber accelerates water evaporation.
  • 3M Electronic Drying Kit -Hydrophilic film pulls moisture out.
  • Wi-Drive Water Extraction Kit – Vacuum suction pump removes water internally.

Investing in one of these drying kits can extract water effectively and help you avoid the high cost of liquid damage repairs.

Conclusion

Water exposure can seriously damage your iPhone but quick action and proper drying techniques can often save a seemingly “dead” device. If at-home methods do not restore your iPhone’s functionality after wetting, rely on professional Apple repair experts to properly diagnose issues and get your iPhone working again.