If your iPhone has been exposed to water, you may be wondering if it will still turn on and function normally. Water can cause serious damage to electronics, so getting an iPhone wet is cause for concern. However, there are a few factors that determine whether a water damaged iPhone can be revived.
What causes water damage in iPhones?
iPhones are not designed to be waterproof. The internal components, like the logic board, battery, and connectors are very susceptible to water damage. Here’s what happens when water gets inside an iPhone:
- Water can short circuit electronic components and connections on the logic board.
- Corrosion can build up on connectors and contact points.
- Residual minerals in the water can leave deposits and contaminate components.
- Damage to electronic components like chips can occur.
Any of these issues can prevent an iPhone from powering on or functioning properly. The longer the iPhone is exposed to water, the more extensive the damage can be.
Will a water damaged iPhone turn on?
It depends on a few factors:
- How much water exposure? Brief exposure to a small amount of water, like accidental splashing or light rain, may not cause enough damage to prevent powering on. Complete submersion in water will almost certainly damage components and prevent powering on.
- How quickly it was dried. If the iPhone was dried quickly after water exposure, before corrosion began, it is more likely to still power on. Leaving it wet allows damage to progress.
- Type of water. Ultra-pure distilled water can cause less damage than tap water, salt water, or chlorinated water. This is because of minerals and contaminants in the latter types that can deposit inside the iPhone and speed corrosion.
- iPhone model. Newer models like the iPhone 11 series have more water resistance than older models. Their components may be less prone to water damage.
As a general rule of thumb, the less water exposure and the quicker the iPhone is dried, the better chance it has of turning on. Severe water damage usually prevents powering on the iPhone.
Signs your water damaged iPhone may turn on
Here are some signs your iPhone may still turn on normally after water exposure:
- You notice only minimal exposure to water.
- It was dried very quickly, within minutes to hours.
- There are no signs of moisture or corrosion in the charge port.
- It shows no immediate signs of malfunction right after the water exposure.
- It has no corroded or rusted components.
- It experienced fresh water rather than salt water or chlorinated water exposure.
The above factors indicate the water exposure had minimal impact and did not reach or damage internal components. In these cases, powering on the iPhone has a decent chance of success.
Signs your water damaged iPhone may not turn on
Here are some indicators that your iPhone likely suffered too much water damage to power on:
- It was submerged in water, especially for a prolonged time.
- You notice corrosion or moisture in ports and connectors.
- It initially seemed to malfunction immediately after water exposure.
- It has visible rust or corrosion on components.
- It was exposed to non-fresh water like salt water, chlorinated water or soapy water.
- It was not dried for over 24 hours after the water exposure.
These signs point to more extensive water exposure that likely reached internal components. Attempting to turn on an iPhone with this much water damage often does not work.
Does a water damaged iPhone still turn on initially but then stops working?
It’s possible a water damaged iPhone will turn on at first but then experience issues like:
- Not charging properly
- Battery draining quickly
- Corroded charge port
- Speakers/microphone not working
- Distorted or flickering display
- Touchscreen unresponsive
- Buttons or switches not working
- Glitchy software and apps
- Freezing and crashing
This can happen if water reached internal components but did not immediately short circuit the entire logic board. Corrosion may build up gradually and cause malfunctions. The iPhone may work initially but problems can quickly develop within hours or days.
What to do if your wet iPhone won’t turn on
If your iPhone was exposed to water and will not power on, here are some steps to take:
- Dry it immediately – use a cloth to soak up excess moisture and place it in front of a fan. Do not use heat to dry, it can damage components.
- Do not try to charge it until completely dry, this can short circuit it.
- When fully dry, try connecting it to power without accessories to see if it will turn on.
- If it does not power on, bring it to a repair shop – they may be able to revive it.
- Do not attempt to open it yourself, as this can cause further damage.
- Be prepared to potentially get a replacement phone if the damage is beyond repair.
Acting quickly to dry the iPhone is the best way to potentially save it and avoid permanent damage. But if it still refuses to turn on after drying, repairs or replacement may be necessary.
How to revive a wet iPhone that won’t turn on
If your iPhone got wet and is completely unresponsive, don’t give up hope yet. Here are some methods that may potentially revive it:
- Drying assistance: Use isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush to gently clean corrosion from ports and buttons. Place the iPhone in front of a fan for 24-48 hours.
- Water displacement: Use rubbing alcohol or distilled water to displace any remaining moisture. Immerse the iPhone then shake it dry.
- Jump starting: Try connecting the battery to a power source externally or remove it then replace to reset connections.
- Resetting components: Disconnect and reconnect flex cables and logic board connections to clear any shorts.
- Cleaning corrosion: Use electrical contact cleaner spray to dissolve corrosion and improve connections.
The key is to fully dry the iPhone, clear any short circuits, and clean away corrosion. This can potentially get it to power back on in some cases. But significant water exposure may still result in irreparable damage.
Chances of reviving an iPhone after water damage
The chances of successfully reviving a wet iPhone depend on these factors:
| Severity of exposure | Brief/minor | Partial submersion | Complete submersion |
| Chance of reviving | Good | Possible | Very low |
| Drying time | Within minutes/hours | Up to 24 hours | Over 24 hours |
| Chance of reviving | Excellent | Fair | Unlikely |
| Water type | Distilled water | Fresh water | Salt/chlorinated water |
| Chance of reviving | Good | Fair | Low |
As the tables show, the less severe the water exposure, the quicker it’s dried, and the purer the water – the better your chances. But there are no guarantees. Full submersion in chlorinated water for over 24 hours before drying will almost certainly destroy an iPhone.
Should you repair or replace a water damaged iPhone?
If you have an iPhone that suffered water damage, deciding whether to repair or replace it depends on:
- Cost of repairs: Logic board-level repairs often exceed the cost of replacing the iPhone.
- Age of device: Repairs become less worthwhile for older iPhones nearing the end of support.
- Availability of replacement: Repair may not make sense if easy to obtain a comparable replacement iPhone.
- Warranty status: Repairs needed due to accidental damage are not covered.
- Other damage: Existing wear may diminish value of paying for water damage repairs.
Generally, more extensive damage requiring full logic board replacement leans towards replacement over repair. But for an almost new iPhone with easily fixed damage, repair may be better to salvage your investment.
Reasons to repair a water damaged iPhone
- It has minimal corrosion just requiring cleaning.
- Cost for necessary repairs is affordable.
- Device is still relatively new and high-value.
- Repair allows recovery of your data.
- You prefer to fix rather than replace on principle.
Reasons to replace a water damaged iPhone
- Internal components beyond repair need full replacement.
- Age of device does not warrant expensive data recovery.
- Cost of repairs exceeds replacement cost.
- Corrosion or other damage makes repairs impractical.
- You were due for an upgrade already.
You can opt to repair if cost-effective to salvage a high-value device. But replacement may be wiser if repairs are complicated or device is older.
Do’s and don’ts for wet iPhones
To handle a water damaged iPhone properly:
Do
- Immediately dry it with absorbent cloth.
- Leave it powered off in front of a fan for 24-48 hours.
- Use isopropyl alcohol to displace moisture.
- Have it inspected at a repair shop.
- Back up data and reset if possible.
Don’t
- Don’t try to power on before completely dried.
- Don’t charge it while still wet.
- Don’t use heat, blow dryer, or direct sunlight to dry.
- Don’t take apart device yourself.
- Don’t touch components with metal tools.
Proper handling when wet gives the iPhone its best chance of survival. Don’t attempt shortcuts – be patient and get professional help if needed.
Preventing iPhone water damage
To avoid potential water damage to your iPhone:
- Use a protective case for weather and sports.
- Attach a lanyard when near water.
- Turn on water lock mode before water activities.
- Keep away from sinks, baths, pools.
- Never charge near possible water exposure.
While no iPhone is truly waterproof, cautious handling and usage can prevent many accidents. But still prepare for the worst in case your iPhone does get wet.
Conclusion
The prospects of an iPhone turning on after water damage depend greatly on quick drying and limited exposure. Brief splashes may cause no permanent harm if dried fast. But complete submersion usually spells doom. Reviving a wet iPhone is sometimes possible with intensive cleaning and drying efforts, but success rates are low. Ultimately, it’s often smartest to play it safe and invest in a replacement device if your iPhone sustains significant water damage.