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Published on: 16.02.2024 | updated on: 02.04.2024
Have you spilled a liquid onto your iPad and don’t know what to do next? Don’t worry. We understand how stressful it can be to spill even small amounts of liquid on your device. To help you better understand the signs and risks of water damage and what to do next, we have prepared a comprehensive guide answering all your questions.
So read on until the end to be better prepared in case of a spill and avoid common mistakes that can further damage your device.
iPads are not said to be water resistant, nor do they advertise as such. Therefore, it’s crucial to handle your iPad with proper care to avoid any water-related damage. Water or any liquid, if it comes in contact with your iPad, can damage its internals. In rare cases, your iPad may sustain damage that is beyond repair. However, taking precautionary measures, such as investing in a waterproof iPad protector or case, can save your device from a water-related accident.
Signs of water damage on an electrical device are hard to ignore. Here are some apparent signs of iPad water damage:
You might notice colored lines or a flickering display indicating water damage underneath the screen.
Water exposure can also cause fogging inside the camera lens or under the screen.
Water damage can cause the iPad to malfunction, with unresponsive touchscreens or buttons. It may also fail to restart.
iPad may experience random shutdowns or restarts.
Difficulty charging the device or a rapidly draining battery can also indicate water damage.
You may experience muffled audio or no sound from the speakers.
Some iPads may display a warning message if moisture is detected in the charging port, advising not to charge the device until it dries out.
You may notice water drops fall from your device upon shaking the iPad.
If you suspect water damage due to strange behavior but cannot confirm it through visible or functional checks, get your device inspected by an authorized service provider.
If your iPad has been exposed to water, here are some steps you can take:
Turn off the iPad immediately to reduce the risk of a short circuit, which could cause further damage.
Remove any case or external accessories. This helps in drying out the iPad more effectively.
Use a lint-free towel to dry the iPad's exterior gently. Avoid shaking or moving the iPad vigorously to prevent water from spreading inside.
Carefully tilt the iPad to allow water to drain out from ports and sockets. Avoid using heat or compressed air, which can push water further inside the device.
Place the iPad in a dry, well-ventilated area to help with drying. Silica gel packets or uncooked rice are also highly recommended to help absorb moisture.
Wait at least 48 hours before turning the iPad back on.
After waiting, try turning on the iPad. If it doesn't turn on, try charging it for a while and then attempt to turn it on again.
If your iPad is still not working after following these steps, It's better to take it to a certified technician or an Apple Store. Apple store doesn’t repair water damage, unfortunately, but they may offer you a new device at a discounted price.
Listed below are step-by-step instructions on what to do after water damage.
Immediately power down the device.
Take off any cases and covers, and disconnect all peripherals.
Use a soft, lint-free cloth to dry the iPad.
Find a large container to submerge your iPad completely in rice.
Fill the container with uncooked rice, which acts as a desiccant to absorb moisture.
Place your iPad in the rice, ensuring it is completely covered, and seal it.
Leave the iPad in the rice for at least 48 hours.
Just like with rice, use a container large enough for the iPad.
Instead of rice, fill the container with silica gel packets and place the iPad among the packets, ensuring it is well surrounded.
Close the container and leave your iPad for at least 48 hours. Silica gel is more efficient than rice at absorbing moisture and is less messy.
Find a room with good air circulation and avoid direct sunlight, which can overheat the device.
Lay the iPad on a dry towel or rack, which allows air to circulate around the device.
Gently flip the iPad every few hours to ensure all sides dry evenly.
It will depend on how much water the iPad was exposed to. If, say, you spilt water, and it went into the charger port, it would only take a few hours to dry, but if the iPad was exposed to a lot of water or submerged in water, it could take a few days to dry out completely. Avoid charging the device until it has dried out fully.
Here is how you can remove external components of the iPad:
Power Off the iPad.
Remove the case/cover carefully.
Avoid using sharp objects.
Find an edge of the screen protector that can be lifted.
Using a tool designed for this purpose, gently lift the edge of the screen protector.
Once you've lifted an edge, slowly peel the screen protector away from the screen.
Pull headphones, earbuds, or keyboards plugged into the headphone jack or the port.
Removing cases, covers, and screen protectors exposes more surface area, allowing air to circulate around the iPad more freely and dry out any moisture more effectively.
Cases and screen protectors can trap moisture underneath them and increase the risk of damage. Removing them immediately after liquid exposure reduces this risk.
With external components removed, inspecting the device for signs of damage is easier.
An iPad damaged by water can sometimes be repaired, but it depends on the extent of the damage. If the water exposure was mild and the iPad was quickly dried out, it may still function properly or have minor issues that can be fixed.
However, if the iPad was immersed in water for longer, the likelihood of saving it lowers. Water can damage delicate electronics and components inside, leading to short circuits and malfunction. The longer the exposure, the deeper the water may have penetrated. In these cases, there is a good chance of significant damage that will require professional repair by an electronics technician.
Yes, you can fix a water-damaged iPad, but again, it depends on the extent of the water damage. Minor water damage can be fixed by drying the device. Still, in case of greater damage, you might need to take your device to a professional who will then take the device apart, inspect individual parts, and perform a replacement if necessary.
Water exposure can cause short circuits or corrosion within the iPad's internal components, including the display connections. This can lead to flickering screens as the display electronics malfunction.
Turn off the iPad immediately to prevent electric shocks. Dry the exterior with a soft cloth and allow your iPad to dry in a well-ventilated area for at least 48 hours. Don’t charge or turn on the iPad during this time.
Your iPad may not be charging after water damage due to moisture affecting the charging port, battery, or internal circuit. Water can cause corrosion or short circuits in these components, affecting the charging process.
Make sure to remove liquid from the charging port of your iPad Pro. Place your device on a clean, dry surface and let it dry completely on its own. Once the charging port and cable (if affected by water damage) are dry, try charging it again and see if it works. If not, the issue may need to be addressed by a repair store.
Your iPad might have a short circuit after water damage that is preventing it from turning on. In case of serious water damage, the motherboard can malfunction, leading to device failure and affecting its ability to turn on.
If you have dried your iPad completely, and it still doesn’t turn on, it may indicate serious damage to internal components. To fix this issue, take your device to a repair store. While Apple doesn’t handle water damage, there are many independent local repair stores you can find through Simply Fixable. These repair stores cannot only repair but also offer a warranty on repairs.
It can be costly to fix an iPad, especially when you are doing a DIY repair. If you have not done the repairs yourself, then you will need to purchase a toolkit specific to your iPad model. You can buy these outright, or you can rent the kit from Apple for around $49.00. You may need to purchase several parts for your phone depending on how much is affected by water damage.
Seek professional help for your water-damaged iPad if it fails to turn on or charge after drying, shows signs of internal damage like corrosion, or if you're unsure about handling the iPad water damage yourself. A professional tablet repair store can properly diagnose and repair the device, ensuring it's safely and effectively restored to functionality.
You have two options for iPad water damage. Firstly, Apple Support, but keep in mind that Apple doesn’t repair water damage. However, if you have AppleCare+, you can get the components fixed under accidental damage cover with a service fee.
Secondly, you can visit a local repair store in your area, such as Simply Fixable’s partner stores, where skilled technicians will fix your iPad at a minimal cost and also offer you a 90-day warranty post-repair. You will receive high-quality parts installed and the technicians will do their best to get the phone back to you in working order. The trained technicians can look over the device and assess the damage to see what your options are and what the likely cost outcome will be.
The cost to repair iPad water damage may vary depending on the severity of the damage and which components are affected. On average, the market price to repair iPad at Apple is $224.96. The average price to repair an iPad at a local repair store such as Simply Fixable is $113.
Apple doesn’t repair water damage under the standard warranty. However, if you have AppleCare+, the damage may be covered. On the other hand, you can visit a local iPad repair store which will not only repair the water damage but also offer a 90-day warranty.
AppleCare+ for iPad includes coverage for water damage under its accidental damage protection feature.
In some cases, if several parts are affected by water, it may not be worth fixing, especially if you have an older model iPad. Water damage is the most expensive form of damage to repair, and it can spread quickly, meaning more parts can become damaged within a short period of time.
If the iPad is a newer model and the water damage is minor, then it would be appropriate to repair the device. However, for iPads with severe water damage that may have been submerged under water for a significant period of time, the costs to repair that would most likely be more than to replace the device, especially if you have an older model.
Pros:
Can be more cost-effective
Eco-friendly
No data loss
You might have a sentimental connection to the device
Cons:
Further problems can occur if your iPad is an older model
DIY repairs can cause more damage if you do not know what you’re doing
Pros:
A brand new device with new parts
New added technology
Cons:
Need to transfer everything over/some data may be lost
Expensive
Time time-consuming learning the newer features
If your iPad was working fine before the water damage and it is a newer model, then after water repair, the device should live out the rest of its lifespan. Be wary that in some cases, depending on how bad the damage is, you might not get back the full function of your device, as severe water damage can cause irreparable damage. Newer devices tend to handle water damage better than older models as they lack the newer water-resistant advancements.
When the iPad has been exposed to water, even if it is still on and working, it is important that you turn it off to prevent further damage. When the iPad is on, the system is running, which heats up and then causes moisture, which can cause more problems. Turning it off also takes the stress away from trying to function while water-damaged.
When exposed to water, leaving the iPad lying down can cause water to pool and sit there, causing damage to components. It is wise to stand the iPad up with the charger end down, which can help water exit the device.
Avoid using a hairdryer at all costs. The hairdryer will add moisture to the problem, and the high heat can cause problems to the inside parts, like overheating the battery.
Understanding the risks associated with water damage for iPads is crucial for users to understand the consequences of water damage. Here are some potential damages that water exposure can cause:
The liquid inside the device can lead to short circuits and cause immediate and irreparable damage to the internal components of the iPad.
Water exposure can significantly affect the lithium-ion battery in an iPad.
Water damage can cause discoloration, spots, or lines on the LCD display. In severe cases, the touchscreen functionality may become erratic or stop working altogether.
Water can harm the iPad's audio components, leading to muffled sound output or microphone failure, affecting calls, video recordings, and audio playback.
Perhaps the most distressing consequence of water damage is the loss of data. While some components might be replaceable, losing photos, documents, and other personal data can be irreplaceable.
Data recovery from a water-damaged iPad is critical, especially if the device holds valuable information such as personal photos, documents, contacts, and other data. While it can be quite difficult to recover data if your device is totally fried, here are some ways to recover data:
Professional repair stores have the expertise and equipment to recover data from water-damaged devices. However, it may depend on the severity of the damage.
If the iPad was set up to backup to iCloud or synchronize with other services like Google Drive or Dropbox, some or all of the data may be recoverable from these cloud services.
When dealing with water damage on an iPad, it's crucial to handle the situation carefully to avoid causing further harm to the device. In the urgency to save their device, many users accidentally make mistakes that further worsen the damage.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Applying direct heat from hairdryers, ovens, radiators, or heat guns in an attempt to evaporate the moisture is a bad idea. The intense heat can damage the iPad’s components, melt adhesives that hold parts together, and even damage the battery.
While it might seem like a good idea to use natural heat to dry out the device, direct sunlight can raise the temperature of the iPad to harmful levels. This can cause damage to the battery, LCD, and other internal components.
One of the first instincts might be to check if the iPad still works by turning it on or plugging it in. This is a critical mistake. Turning on a wet device can lead to short circuits and permanent damage to the electronic components.
It's best to keep the iPad turned off and avoid charging it until it's completely dry, which might take several days.
Attempting to shake the water out of an iPad can force moisture deeper into the device, spreading it to areas that were not initially affected. This can increase the risk of damage to internal components.
Professional technicians have the tools and expertise to assess and repair water-damaged devices properly. Strictly relying on YouTube tutorials and incomplete knowledge can do more damage than good.
Water damage can lead to short circuits or corrosion within the internal components of the iPad Pro, affecting its functionality. The water damage on iPad Pro can possibly cause serious issues such as screen damage, malfunctioning motherboard, or a complete shutdown.
Immediately turn off the iPad Pro to avoid further damage. Dry its body gently with a soft cloth and let the iPad dry in for at least 48 hours. Avoid charging or turning on the iPad during this drying period.
Water damage can impact your iPad’s functionality in several ways. When water enters the device, it can lead to short circuits, corrosion, and damage to the internal components, which might be why your iPad Air is not working.
If your device is still on, power it off as soon as possible to prevent further damage from short circuits. Disconnect any cables if attached to it and dry the iPad’s body with a soft cloth. Let it dry in normal temperatures for at least 48 hours before trying to turn it on. If the iPad doesn’t turn on, it may indicate serious damage that requires a visit to a repair store.
Your iPad Mini may not be working due to water damage, which can cause short circuits and damage to its internal components. Sometimes, water damage can lead to device failure that is beyond repairable.
Turn off the iPad Mini immediately to avoid further damage. Remove accessories and dry the exterior with a soft cloth. Place your iPad mini in a well-ventilated area and let it dry completely for at least 48 hours. If it still doesn't work, seek professional repair services for further assistance.
Here is how you can prevent water damage on your iPad in the future;
Buy a waterproof case for your iPad model if you often use your device around water.
Keep food and drinks away from your iPad.
Don't use the iPad in the bathroom, rain, or other wet settings.
When washing dishes or hands near a sink, keep the iPad away to avoid damaging it.
No, iPads are not water-resistant.
It can take 24-48 hours for an iPad to dry out fully.
Water can cause short circuits or corrosion, preventing charging.
Turning on an iPad after water exposure is risky and could cause further damage to its components.
Water damage can damage components by corroding, short circuit connections, and damage the display or battery.
In severe cases, water damage can be permanent, potentially leading to total device failure.
Rice or silica gel can absorb moisture, and it’s a good temporary measure, but professional drying is more effective.
Troubleshooting steps are generally similar across iPad models, focusing on drying and avoiding turning on the device for some time to avoid electricity shocks.
Check for moisture under the screen, in charging port, and asses carefully if your iPad is dry and safe to use.
Properly drying a water-damaged iPad requires patience, the right techniques, and avoiding common mistakes that can further worsen the damage. As soon as you suspect water damage, turn off and dry out the iPad for 24-48 hours, and don’t attempt to turn on or charge the iPad while it’s wet. With careful handling and drying, an iPad can often be restored to functionality after water exposure, but rushing the process may result in irreparable damage. To protect data, it is highly suggested to keep your device backed up or buy an iCloud storage plan.
Tech Writer | Photographer
LinkedIn: Madiha Khadim
Madi is a dynamic tech writer with a passion for simplifying complex concepts. Her expertise lies in creating clear and concise guides, blogs, manuals, and tutorials that empower users to navigate the technological landscape with ease. Throughout her career, Madi has worked with numerous leading tech companies, collaborating with engineers, developers, designers and marketers to create user manuals, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and tech articles, on the websites such as "Technology Castle" and "Bilzimo". She can transform intricate technical jargon into user-friendly language, empowering users to understand and utilize products effectively.
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