Dropping your iPhone in the toilet is a nightmare scenario for any smartphone owner. Water and electronics definitely don’t mix well. However, depending on how quickly you retrieve your phone and what steps you take after, there is a chance your iPhone may still work, even if it took an unexpected swim.
What happens when an iPhone is submerged in water?
When an iPhone is dropped in water, the immediate concern is water getting into openings like the charging port, headphone jack, speakers, or buttons. Water can damage electronic components and circuit boards inside the phone.
Some key things that may happen when an iPhone is submerged in water include:
- Water activates touchscreen sensors causing the screen to go haywire
- Corrosion builds up on electrical components and connectors
- Short circuits occur, preventing power from properly flowing through the device
- Important components like the logic board may be damaged beyond repair
The longer the iPhone sits in liquid, the more damage is likely to occur as water seeps deeper into the phone’s interior. Quick action is necessary to have any chance of reviving an iPhone from a toilet mishap.
Is my iPhone water resistant or waterproof?
Before the iPhone 7, iPhones had no official water resistance rating. However, since 2016 Apple has been making strides to add water resistance to its iPhone models:
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus – IP67 dust and water resistant up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- iPhone 8 and 8 Plus – IP67 dust and water resistant up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- iPhone X – IP67 dust and water resistant up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- iPhone XR – IP67 dust and water resistant up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- iPhone XS and XS Max – IP68 dust and water resistant up to 2 meters for 30 minutes
- iPhone 11 – IP68 dust and water resistant up to 2 meters for 30 minutes
- iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini – IP68 dust and water resistant up to 6 meters for 30 minutes
- iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max – IP68 dust and water resistant up to 6 meters for 30 minutes
The IP rating stands for “Ingress Protection” and indicates how resistant a device is to dust and water. The first digit after IP refers to solids protection and the second digit refers to liquids.
An IP67 rating means the iPhone is dust tight and can withstand being submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. An IP68 rating increases the water protection substantially, up to 6 meters for 30 minutes depending on the model.
It’s important to note that while having an IP rating means the iPhone has undergone controlled testing for certain conditions, it does not guarantee liquid damage protection, especially for non-freshwater liquids like what you may encounter in a toilet.
What should I do if I dropped my iPhone in the toilet?
If your iPhone took an unexpected swim, here are the steps you should take to give it the best chance of survival.
- Retrieve it quickly – Immediately fish out your iPhone from the toilet bowl if possible. The less time it sits in the water, the better.
- Dry it off – Wipe down the exterior of the phone with a towel or cloth to soak up excess liquid. Be sure to pat gently instead of rubbing to avoid causing any additional damage.
- Turn it off – Press and hold the side/power button to power down the iPhone before more water can seep into powered on components.
- Don’t charge it – Water and electricity don’t mix well. Avoid plugging your iPhone into a charger until you’re sure it’s dry.
- Dry out the ports and buttons – Use a can of compressed air to spray out any water lodged in the ports, headphone jack, speakers or buttons.
- Remove case and dry iPhone – Take off any protective case, which may trap moisture against the phone. Pat entire phone dry with towel.
- Absorb remaining moisture – Bury phone in dry rice overnight, which will draw out any liquid. Silica gel packs also work well.
- Ventilate and dry for at least 24 hours – Leave your iPhone in a dry, warm spot for at least a full day before trying to power on.
What damage can happen if my iPhone got wet?
Here are some of the common types of damage that can occur if an iPhone is submerged in liquid:
- Short-circuiting – Water can bridge connections and create shortcuts on the logic board leading to erratic behavior or failing to power on.
- Corrosion buildup – With prolonged exposure water causes corrosion on connectors and microsolder joints, interrupting electrical connections.
- Fried circuits – Power surges can fry delicate components and integrated circuits if iPhone is powered on while wet.
- Display issues – Water droplets in the screen can create false inputs and the display may flicker or stop working entirely.
- Speaker damage – Speakers can be rendered useless if moisture seeps in, causing muffled, distorted or no sound.
- Microphone failure – Like speakers, microphone quality can be degraded or stop working due to liquid exposure.
- Camera troubles – The camera lens, sensors and flash can malfunction if moisture sneaks into gaps.
Liquid damage is difficult to repair for most users since it requires disassembling the iPhone to dry out and replace any affected internal components. The prognosis also gets worse the longer moisture is allowed to linger inside the device.
How can I check for water damage on my iPhone?
If you suspect your iPhone suffered water damage, here are signs to look out for:
- Condensation or fogging up inside the camera lenses
- Corrosion visible on SIM card tray or other exposed metal parts
- Muffled or inaudible speakers and microphone
- Distorted or flickering display with false touches
- Non-responsive buttons with intermittent presses
- Issues charging or connecting to other devices
- Unusual odors coming from the iPhone
- “Liquid Contact Indicator” tab inside SIM slot changed color
You may also see an alert message saying that liquid has been detected in the Lightning port and advising you to unplug accessories, or to dry the charging port before charging, when you try to use these functions.
Can I fix a water damaged iPhone myself?
It is possible to repair an iPhone suffering from minor water damage by yourself, but results will vary depending on the severity of the situation.
Here are some DIY fixes to attempt if your iPhone got wet but still works:
- Dry out iPhone thoroughly up to 5-7 days if needed
- Change SIM card in case the old one is damaged
- Clean residue in ports with isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs
- Use compressed air to clear speaker, microphone, cameras
- Replace battery in case water reached it
- Check screws, brackets for corrosion; clean or replace if needed
For more advanced water damage like not powering on, severe corrosion, or fried logic board components, you will likely need professional microsoldering repair or full board replacement. The iPhone’s water seals, adhesives and tightly packed design make DIY repairs difficult in these cases.
Should I try turning on my wet iPhone?
It’s natural to want to power on your iPhone right away to assess the damage after it gets wet, but this impulse could end up causing further harm.
Turning on an iPhone before properly drying it out risks short circuiting and frying components as electricity flows through waterlogged circuits. Wait at least 24 hours after completely drying your device before attempting to switch it on again.
Even if your iPhone seems to work fine immediately after a dunk, effects of corrosion can show up later as damage progresses over time. Let your phone dry out thoroughly over several days before using regularly again.
If your iPhone suffered extensive water exposure, you may need to replace parts like the logic board before it will safely turn on. It’s better to be patient than cause unnecessary damage by rushing to power up wet electronics.
Should I put my wet iPhone in rice?
Placing your wet iPhone in rice is a popular DIY trick often suggested as an effective way to draw moisture out of a water damaged device.
Here’s how it works:
- Uncooked rice acts as a desiccant – it naturally absorbs ambient moisture.
- Submerging your iPhone in a bowl or bag of rice provides a dry environment to pull water out.
- The rice dries out the phone from the outside and absorbing moist air inside.
- Changing out the rice for a fresh batch accelerates the drying.
Some tips for the rice method:
- Stick to uncooked rice – it contains more moisture absorbing starch.
- Use short or medium grain rice which have more surface area.
- Place iPhone face down on bed of rice and bury it for best coverage.
- Leave the phone in rice for at least 24 hours, up to 3-5 days if needed.
- Refresh the rice daily to maximize moisture absorption.
While the rice trick is hit or miss, it’s a free method worth trying if no other options are available. Just make sure your phone is fully dried before powering it on again.
How can I dry the inside of my wet iPhone?
Getting water out from inside your iPhone is key for resolving liquid damage issues. Here are some methods to thoroughly dry the interior:
- Absorbent packets – Use moisture absorbing packs designed for electronics.
- Vacuum extraction – DIY vacuum chambers remove water forced out by air pressure changes.
- Isopropyl alcohol rinse – Flush ports/buttons and air dry to displace water.
- Opening the phone – Take apart to clean corrosion and dry internal components.
- Ultrasonic cleaning – Vibrating bath loosens moisture trapped deep inside device.
- Heating – Warm, not hot, temperatures speed up evaporation of water.
Take care not to cause further water damage while attempting to dry the inside of your iPhone. Seek professional assistance if you lack the technical skill or special tools needed.
Should I put my iPhone in the oven to dry it?
Some iPhone owners considering drying a wet phone in an oven. However, this is not recommended as it poses serious risks of damage.
Reasons you shouldn’t bake your wet iPhone:
- Excessive heat can damage processor, battery and other temperature-sensitive components.
- Adhesives and plastic parts may melt at oven temperatures.
- Trapped moisture converts to steam which cannot escape sealed iPhone.
- Short circuiting often occurs when heating water-soaked electronics.
- Warping or solder reflow can occur due to temperature changes.
- Potential fire hazard and burn risk from flammable lithium-ion battery.
It’s safer to dry your iPhone at room temperature over several days. If you need to apply additional heat, use a hair dryer on low setting or light bulb to gradually warm the phone and help evaporate moisture.
Should I have my water damaged iPhone professionally repaired?
For iPhones with extensive liquid damage not resolving with DIY methods, professional repair is recommended to properly diagnose issues and fix any failed components. Benefits of professional iPhone water damage repair include:
- Disassembly to fully dry internal components and clean corrosion.
- Replacement of damaged parts like logic board, battery, screens.
- Microsoldering work to repair damaged solder joints.
- Ultrasonic cleaning and isopropyl alcohol rinse of logic boards.
- Testing equipment to accurately pinpoint faults.
- Experience fixing water damaged electronics with high success rate.
Professional services can be expensive, often costing $200-300 depending on damage extent. But comprehensive repairs can restore an iPhone to full working order when DIY options have failed.
Does AppleCare cover water damage on iPhone?
Standard AppleCare+ plans for iPhone do not cover damage caused by liquid exposure or submersion in water. However, you can pay an additional fee for accidental damage coverage which includes water damage protection.
Key AppleCare+ water damage coverage details:
- Covers two incidents of accidental damage, after which you must pay a deductible for any further repairs.
- $99 service fee for screen or back glass damage.
- $299 service fee for any other accidental damage like liquid.
- Must be repaired by Apple or authorized service provider.
- Plan must be purchased within 60 days of getting your iPhone.
Even with AppleCare+, water damage repairs can be pricey due to the $299 tier fee. But it’s more affordable than paying Apple’s out-of-warranty repair costs which can exceed $500 in some cases.
Should I trade in or replace my water damaged iPhone?
If your iPhone is beyond economical repair after water damage, trading it in or replacing it altogether may be your best option.
Things to consider:
- Compare repair costs to the phone’s current resale value.
- Factor in the risks or reduced functionality if repair is incomplete.
- Assess if it’s worth investing in an older model versus upgrading.
- Check if you have coverage under credit card purchase benefits or homeowners/renters insurance.
- Research trade-in values and any active deals on new iPhone purchases.
While repairing a water damaged iPhone is sometimes possible, if costs approach 50% or more of the phone’s value, replacement starts to make more financial sense for the typical consumer.
Conclusion
Dropping your iPhone in water can be a shocking accident, but it doesn’t always mean a death sentence for your device. By quickly retrieving it, drying it out thoroughly, and cleaning any corrosion, there’s a decent chance you can revive it. For severe water damage beyond DIY fixes, seek professional repair services to determine if your iPhone can be saved or if replacement is the better option after a toilet encounter.