If you’ve accidentally dropped your iPhone in water, it’s important to act fast to minimize the damage. You should first turn off your phone and remove it from the water as soon as possible. Then, you’ll want to dry off the phone as much as possible and try to get as much water out of it as possible.
You can try a few different methods to remove the water, such as using a rice bag or a hair dryer on a low setting. If you’re unable to get all of the water out of your phone, or if it appears to be damaged in any way, it’s important to seek out professional repair services as soon as possible. In the meantime, there are a few steps you can take to try to fix the damage and potentially save your phone.
Table of Contents
- Is Your iPhone Waterproof?
- What To Do if Your iPhone Gets Wet
- How To Dry Out an iPhone With Uncooked Rice
- How To Dry Out an iPhone With Silica Gel
- Should You Dismantle an iPhone To Dry It Out?
- How To Eject Water From an iPhone Speaker
- Next Steps
Is Your iPhone Waterproof?
It’s important to note that while many newer models of iPhone are water-resistant, they are not completely waterproof.
The water-resistant rating for iPhone models is indicated by an IP (Ingress Protection) rating, a standardized measurement of the phone’s ability to resist the ingress of solid objects (such as dust) and water. The two main IP ratings that apply to iPhones are IP67 and IP68.
For example, an iPhone with an IP68 rating can withstand being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
An iPhone with an IP67 rating can withstand being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. An iPhone with an IP68 rating can withstand being submerged in up to 2 meters of water for the same amount of time.
Since the release of the iPhone XS and XS Max, Apple has typically released its devices with an IP68 rating. However, it’s worth noting that not all iPhone models have the same level of water resistance. For example, the iPhone 6s and earlier are not rated for water resistance, while the iPhone 7 and 8 have an IP67 rating. The iPhone X, XR, and SE 2020 also have an IP67 rating, while the iPhone 11, 12, and 13 ranges all have an IP68 rating.
However, it’s important to note that the water-resistant rating of an iPhone does not mean that it is indestructible and can withstand all forms of water damage. It’s still important to be careful when using your phone near water and to avoid exposing it to extreme conditions, such as saltwater or high-pressure water.
It’s also a good idea to keep your phone in a protective case, which can provide additional protection against water damage.
What To Do if Your iPhone Gets Wet
If your iPhone gets wet, it’s essential to act quickly to minimize the potential damage. Here’s what you should do:
- Remove the iPhone from the water as soon as possible.
- Do not plug the iPhone in or turn it on. This can cause short circuits and further damage.
- If the iPhone is in a case, remove it from the case, along with the SIM card. Water can linger in these small spaces and cause further damage.
- Use a soft towel or cloth to gently wipe off any excess water from the phone’s surface.
- Turn the iPhone upside down and gently shake it to remove any water trapped in the ports or sockets.
- Power off the iPhone.
What To Do if Your iPhone Was Turned off When It Got Wet?
It’s also a good idea to avoid turning the iPhone back on until you’ve had a chance to dry it out and assess the damage properly. Activating the circuits inside a wet iPhone can cause short circuits and further damage. If the iPhone was already turned off when it got wet, leave it off until you’ve had a chance to dry it out and assess the damage.
What To Do if Your iPhone Was Already Turned On?
If your iPhone is turned on when it gets wet, you have two options for turning it off:
- Power down the iPhone by holding down the power button and following the prompts to turn it off. This will cause the screen and operating system to briefly activate before the phone powers off.
- Leave the iPhone in sleep mode, and hope you don’t receive any notifications that could cause the phone to turn on.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you, but some experts suggest that it’s better to power down the iPhone to do a full power off rather than leave it in sleep mode. This is because activating the screen and operating system briefly may be less harmful than leaving the phone in sleep mode with the potential for notifications to cause it to turn on.
What About in Airplane Mode?
If your iPhone was in Airplane Mode when it got wet, or if you are confident that no notifications will cause it to turn on in the next 48 hours, it may be a good idea to leave it alone and allow it to dry out naturally. This can help to minimize the risk of further damage caused by activating the screen and operating system. However, if you are unsure about the condition of the phone or if you are worried that it may turn on, it may be a safer option to power it down in order to minimize the risk of further damage.
How To Dry Out an iPhone With Uncooked Rice
There are a few different methods you can try to dry out a wet iPhone, but it’s important to avoid using heat treatments such as a hair dryer, as these can damage the phone’s internal components.
One method that has proven to be effective for many people is using uncooked rice as a desiccant. To try this method, place your wet iPhone in a bowl of uncooked rice and make sure it is completely covered. Leave the phone in the bowl for at least 48 hours to allow the rice to absorb moisture.
While this method can be effective at removing moisture from the interior of the iPhone, it’s important to note that the rice may also get dust or grains into the ports and sockets of the phone. Keep this in mind and consider using another method if you are concerned about this possibility.
How To Dry Out an iPhone With Silica Gel
If you have access to silica gel packets, they can be a more effective and less messy option than uncooked rice for drying out a wet iPhone. Silica gel packets are often included in new handbags or with certain electronic components and have recently been included in COVID-19 test kits.
To use silica gel packets to dry out a wet iPhone, you will need enough packets to cover the phone completely. You can often purchase silica gel packets in bulk from craft stores or on Amazon. Place the packets around and on top of the wet iPhone and allow it to sit for at least 48 hours to allow the silica gel to absorb the moisture.
Compared to uncooked rice, silica gel packets are more efficient at removing moisture and are less likely to leave a mess, but it’s still important to give the iPhone enough time to dry out completely before attempting to turn it on or use it.
Should You Dismantle an iPhone To Dry It Out?
If you are confident in your DIY skills and are worried that there may be liquid inside your iPhone, it may be possible to open up the device and try to dry it out from within. Websites like iFixit can provide step-by-step instructions for repairing your iPhone. Still, it’s important to remember that attempting to repair the phone yourself may void any warranty coverage and could cause further damage.
If you do decide to try this approach, it may be helpful to remove the battery if possible, as this can minimize the risk of short circuits. However, it can be difficult to remove the battery due to the adhesive that Apple uses to secure internal components. If you cannot remove the battery, be sure to handle all internal components gently and use a dry, soft cloth to absorb any moisture.
Overall, it’s generally not recommended to try to repair a wet iPhone on your own, as it can be difficult to completely remove all of the moisture and risk causing further damage. However, suppose you are out of warranty and have exhausted all other options. In that case, it may be worth considering this approach as a last resort, with the understanding that it may not be successful and could potentially result in further damage to the phone.
How To Eject Water From an iPhone Speaker
If you suspect that water may have gotten into the speaker grilles of your iPhone, there is a workaround that can help to remove it. While iPhones do not have a built-in feature like the one found on Apple Watches that uses a specific frequency to “eject” water from the speaker grilles, you can use a free app called Sonic (the Tone Generator) to achieve a similar result.
To use this method, download the Sonic app and tap the water droplet icon in the middle of the screen. This should cause any water that may be present in the speaker grilles to “jump” out, allowing you to absorb it with a tissue. The paid version of the app also offers other frequency ranges, which can be useful if your music or podcasts sound garbled after the iPhone gets wet.
Next Steps
If you’ve left your wet iPhone to dry out in a bowl of uncooked rice or silica gel packets for a few days, it may be time to try turning it on again. If the phone does not turn on, you can return it to the rice or silica gel for a bit longer to allow more time to dry out. If this does not work, it may be necessary to seek out professional repair services to assess the damage and determine the best course of action.
Apple Genius technicians are trained to handle repairs for water-damaged iPhones, so you can make an appointment to see if they can help save your device. However, it’s important to remember that iPhones that have been damaged by water can sometimes be temporarily resuscitated, only to succumb to the damage later. To protect yourself against this possibility, it’s a good idea to back up all of your important files on the phone to ensure that you don’t lose any critical data.
