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Published on: 01.07.2023 | updated on: 31.03.2024
In today’s digital age, smartphones have become an essential part of our daily lives. They serve as our personal assistant, mode of communication, entertainment, and whatnot! However, just like any other digital product, smartphones, too, are prone to damage, especially iPhones.
If you own an iPhone, you know how frustrating it is to be in such a situation where you just accidentally dropped your phone in the sink or in a pool or splashed water on it. When an iPhone is damaged by water, we instantly fear losing our valuable data or having to spend a lot of money to repair it. But worry not! Problems can happen because of different reasons and situations, and we are trying to cover as many scenarios as possible and give solutions for all.
In this article, we are going to explain some of the easiest ways through which you can fix your water damaged iPhone at home without spending a fortune.
In most cases, an iPhone is damaged due to dropping it or exposure to liquid and moisture. If your phone comes into contact with liquid or moisture, you can try drying the phone out under a fan or out in the fresh air. Avoid using rice and hairdryers this can cause more damage.
Apple iPhones have a feature that lets you know when the iPhone has come into contact with water or other liquids. The spot where you can find the Liquid Contact Indicators is normally silver or white. It will depend on your iPhone model. When your phone has been exposed to liquid, it will turn red. It’s important to be notified immediately when your phone has been exposed to water damage because acting fast is the most important thing you can do to try and save the phone.
For the iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, and iPhone 5s, up to the iPhone 15, the indicator will be on the side of the phone inside the sim tray. It is usually found under the power or volume buttons. For older models, such as the iPhone 4 you will find it in a little round circle on top of the phone, and the 4s can be found underneath where the charger port goes.
If your iPhone gets wet, it's important to act quickly to minimize potential damage. Start by powering off the device and removing any accessories. Dry the exterior with a soft, lint-free cloth and dry the ports with a swab. Avoid using heat sources to dry it and instead allow the phone to air dry in a well-ventilated area for at least 48 hours (you can also use a fan on low to medium setting).
Don’t turn your iPhone on until the issue is resolved and the water is dried out completely, allowing at least 24 hours. If issues persist, seek professional assistance from a repair service or authorized service provider.
There are important steps that you need to follow to give your phone the best outcome when exposed to water.
You must turn the phone off as soon as you know the phone has been exposed to water. The phone is warm on the inside, and, when exposed to water, it can create moisture, make the water damage worse, and spread through more components. It can also put your phone into shock by leaving it on when it’s wet. Turn it off and follow the next steps carefully.
Next, you want to remove the phone case and take out the SIM card and the tray. This will give more ventilation to the phone to aid in drying it out.
Now, you want a soft microfibre cloth to wipe over the wet parts. Dry the sim card and the tray, then wipe over the outside of the phone. Using the corner of the cloth, gently dry the charger port area, SIM card slot area, and headphone area if you have that. You can give a gentle blow into these areas to help move water out.
When your phone is exposed to liquid, and you have followed the above steps for removing excess water from the phone, there are more options below that you can try to aid in drying out the phone.
It’s important to dry out the phone as soon as possible. With the phone off, you need to place it in a well-ventilated area free from sunlight. A windowsill with a breeze flowing in can help dry the phone, or you can sit the phone under a fan, rotating it every hour or so to dry all the nooks and ports. It will take a long time to dry your phone out, so you need to remain patient. You want to ensure the phone is as dry as possible before turning it back on.
People have used other things like silica gel in a zip lock bag and found it to be useful. Simply place the phone in a zip bag with a few silica gel packs and wait 24 hours. The silica gel is those little white packets found in packages that say “do not eat.”
The duration depends on the extent of water and also the device model that you are using. Please keep in mind the water doesn’t dry out on its own (it can if the water had gone inside, and it’s not a lot – many iPhone models are made to tackle such an issue by themselves). But you have to give it a few hours to heal after you dry the iPhone. While it’s in the process of drying, don’t use any charger or connect your iPhone to anything.
If you want to dry your iPhone faster, here are a few useful tips you can follow:
No, it is not recommended to use a hairdryer to dry your iPhone. Hairdryers produce hot air, and the high heat can potentially damage the internal components of the iPhone. Exposing your iPhone to excessive heat can lead to further issues and may worsen the water damage.
Yes. Water damage is not permanent, especially if you are using a newer model which is water resistant. The success rate for water damaged iPhone may vary depending on the amount of water your phone was exposed to, and what actions you take immediately. Below are some of the easy solutions to fix a water-damaged iPhone:
Several malfunctions and problems can occur as a result of water damage. Let’s check them out below:
The iPhone will not charge
The phone will not turn on
The screen glitches and turns off randomly
The speaker doesn’t work properly when talking on the phone
Headphones are not working or sound muffled
You may see bubbles of moisture under the screen
The phone isn't recognizing the SIM in the phone
Here, we look at the different ways iPhones can become damaged, what to do about it, and how you can prevent it.
Dropping your iPhone in water can give you a lot of stress, especially when water goes into the speakers of your device. If you drop the phone in deep water, it can cause damage to the speaker, or if you clean the speakers by using water, you may have pushed water inside the speaker. In this case, you need to tu
Power off our phone immediately to prevent further damage.
Dry the exterior of the iPhone gently with a lint-free cloth. Pay close attention to ports and speaker grille.
Test the speaker’s functionality; if it still doesn’t work, check for blockage or debris and clean it with a soft brush.
Reset the settings, which will help software-related issues caused by water damage.
When your phone gets damaged due to water, the first thing it possibly affects is the charging port. Below are some of the main reasons why your iPhone won’t charge after water damage and how to fix it:
Water in the charging port can prevent the phone from charging.
If the water has damaged the internal components, it can refrain from charging properly.
When the water reaches the inside components of the iPhone, it can cause short circuits, which can disrupt the charging.
Allow your iPhone to dry out completely before connecting your charger to it.
After you dry it, try rebooting it and then charge it.
If the problem still persists, take your iPhone to an authorized repair service as soon as possible before it further damages the system.
If your iPhone screen has a green tint after water damage, it may indicate damage to the display or internal components. Here are a few reasons and solutions you can try to address the issue:
Water exposure can damage the iPhone’s display, which leads to disrupted pixels resulting in a tinted screen.
Corrosion due to water damage can disturb the component responsible for creating colors on the screen. This can show a green tint.
Software glitches due to water damage can also show a green tint screen on your iPhone.
Power off and let the iPhone dry for a few hours.
Reboot your device after it dries completely and check if the tint has gone.
Perform a factory resists if the green tint is still there, or if that doesn’t work, take it for a repair.
When an iPhone screen suffers water damage, it can be a cause for concern, especially if you use iPhone for important communication or business purposes. There can be many reasons why iPhone screen can get damaged by water. Some of them are:
Dropping your phone in the pool or sink that you’ve actually seen happening in front of you.
Exposure to moisture, such as keeping your phone out with you when it’s raining.
Manufacturing defects can make iPhone screen more vulnerable to water infiltration.
You can check the liquid damage indicator on the side or top of the phone. You can do this for all iPhone models it will just depend on what model as to where the indicator is located. The iPhone 12 is one of the most water-resistant phones, so if you have this model, it may not be as affected by the water as others.
You might be considering a DIY repair (screen, battery, charging port, etc.) for your phone to save on labor costs. Unfortunately, there are extra costs that you need to take into considerations. When buying the parts directly for a DIY job, they are, in fact, cheaper; however, you will also need to purchase the specialized tools for the job. You cannot use your everyday tools. You must use a tool kit that is designed for iPhones and their small internals. These can be expensive, so the cost for the parts and tools need to be taken into consideration.
iPhone water damage is a serious issue, and it can lead to damaging the whole phone if not taken care of in time. If your iPhone is still showing issues after you have dried your iPhone and applied every possible thing, you should take it to a repair shop.
The best is to take it to the official Apple store, but if there is none nearby, take it to any local shop that specializes in iPhone repair.
Water damage is complex and something that needs to be acted upon quickly to avoid further damage being done to the phone. If you have tried several DIY tricks like silica gel beads or drying out the phone with a fan and these attempts have failed, take the phone to the repair store as soon as possible. Acting fast will stop the spread of water damage and help prevent corrosion of the internal parts.
The professional repair cost will be determined by how bad the damage is and how fast it has spread. Suppose the liquid damage is only in the charger port, and the damage is just confined to that. In that case, you may be able to just get a port replacement, which is up to $144, or your screen may have water underneath but is only confined to that area then you might be able to get away with a screen replacement costing around $155 is the average.
Simply Fixable works with partners on their platform which means they can find different repair stores that specialize in the iPhone model that you have meaning you get the best possible chance at saving your phone.
The cost of water damage repair depends on where you are getting it done from. But on average, you should expect to pay between $45 to $700. The price can vary according to how much damage is done and the amount of repair needed. Here's Simply Fixable's average iPhone repair cost:
|
Simply Fixable |
Apple |
Avg iPhone repair cost |
$110.88 |
$261.85 |
Table. iPhone repair cost
*Data in the given table is based on Simply Fixable's market research and the official Apple website
It can be a tough decision trying to work out which option is better for your circumstance, either repair or replace the phone.
The age of the phone: if the phone is an older model and nearly obsolete, then it wouldn't be a wise choice to pay the cost for water damage as the phone is not going to last very long.
If the phone is a newer model and the damage isn't too extensive, then a repair is the cost-effective option compared to buying a brand-new phone. You might also have sentimental value to the phone, so repairing may be more suitable until you are able to get everything off the phone safely and plan for a new phone.
It will also depend on where you are getting your device repaired. Manufacturers like Apple charge higher prices and take longer than third-party options like Simply Fixable, who can find a repairer on their platform who is ready to start the job right away.
Pros
Cheaper option
Eco-friendly
Cons
It may not be suitable for older models
Expensive for severe damage
Pros
You get a brand-new phone with new parts and features
Advanced technology
Cons
Expensive for a new model
You may not want to learn new features and advancements
If the water damage is severe, there is the possibility that corrosion can still occur 6-12 months down the track. Your repair store can give you an indication of whether that is highly unlikely or whether it's quite possible for your situation. Some parts may not be able to be repaired after water damage. For example, you may still be able to use them to some extent, but you might not be able to use the camera or other parts. Again, the repair person can give you an indication of whether this is possible for your circumstance or not. Other than that, if the repair was done by a proper, reputable store, then you shouldn't have any problems the future as long as you look after the phone and keep it away from liquid and moisture.
One common myth that we have all heard about is putting a water-damaged phone in a bag of rice and letting it sit for 24-48 hours. While this may seem logical, as rice soaks up water when cooking, unfortunately, it will not help the situation of a wet phone and can cause further damage, as an Apple employee explains. If you shake the bag with rice in it, you will see a fine powder and small particles of rice, and these can enter areas on your phone and become lodged. This can cause SIM card problems and charging problems. Rice will stick to the water, soak it up, and then become glug inside the ports on your phone, which may need to be professionally removed.
The effectiveness of putting an iPhone in uncooked rice to dry it out is a subject of debate. Rice is often recommended as a do-it-yourself method to absorb moisture from electronic devices, including iPhones. While it may help remove some moisture, it is not the most efficient or reliable method for drying out a water-damaged iPhone as it can add further dust and particles into the phone leading to further problems.
People tend to think the warm air of a hairdryer will dry up the water inside the phone as it does dry wet hair, after all. When it comes to drying a phone, this does not work and can actually cause the problem to become worse. First of all the heat can damage the phone and cause the battery to heat up too much, causing overheating. Secondly, the force of the dryer can cause water and moisture to be pushed into other places that are not affected by the water, consequently making the situation worse.
One misconception about iPhones is they are water resistant not waterproof. This means they can handle a small amount of water without being affected too much, but they are not waterproof, meaning if you pop the phone in water and leave it there for some time, it will become unusable and it may need extensive repairs. Your iPhone is not waterproof to any type of liquid or moisture.
Another misconception about iPhones is putting them in the sun to help dry the phone out. When the phone is able to dry out naturally, it is a slower process, and this is when corrosion can occur. Sunlight can actually cause humidity within the phone that leads to moisture so you could in fact be making the situation worse by sitting your wet phone in the sun.
You can restore content, settings, and apps from a backup to a new or newly erased iPhone.
If you are a Windows or Mac user, it is possible to restore data from a broken iPhone by using your computer. This can be done easily if you follow the steps outlined below:
To access the Finder on a Mac running macOS Catalina or a later version, simply locate it and open it. If you're using a Mac with macOS Mojave or an earlier version, or a PC, you'll need to open iTunes instead.
To establish a connection between your iPhone and computer, it is recommended that you utilize an Apple-branded USB cable. Once the devices are connected, locate and select your iPhone from the options in the Finder window or iTunes.
Click on the option for restoring the backup.
You can review the backup dates and select the one that is the most recent
Initiate the restoration process by pressing restoration and patiently waiting until it is completed. You may be asked for the password for the backup just enter this, and the repair process will continue.
If you have been syncing everything to the cloud and now you need to recover everything, you can opt for retrieving your data from the cloud.
If the phone is brand new, it will be in a new state, but if you haven't already, erase everything off the phone by navigating to settings, general, reset, and then tap on the erase all.
Now, you need to set the phone up from scratch. You need to get to the page that comes up after the connecting to wifi step. The phone will ask if you wish to restore your data. Tap on the restore from the iCloud backup option, and it will then pop up with a login screen. Just enter your email and password, and the iPhone will restore your data from the backup.
Wait for the process to finish and the start screen to appear.
If you have an older model iphone under the iPhone 12, then make sure you update the phone first, if you can, before you attempt to transfer data.
For older models 7 through to 11, it’s best to do the transfer through iTunes, as older phones with problems tend to run into more issues doing it via the phone.
Older model iPhones should be updated every two weeks as they are more unpredictable and may crash at any time especially if they already have problems. This will prevent too much data loss. This way, you are only losing up to 2 weeks of data instead of months of data.
Keeping your phone updated can help to prevent problems and the need for data transfer. If you are wondering whether to repair or replace the phone if data loss is a big issue, and the phone won’t turn on and you haven’t backed it up, repair may be a suitable option so once it is fixed, you can go right in immediately and back up to prevent data loss in the future.
The time it takes for water damage to affect an iPhone can vary depending on several factors, including the severity of water exposure and the specific circumstances. Here are some general guidelines:
The survival of an iPhone in water depends on several factors, including the specific model, the depth and type of water, and the duration of exposure. Apple's iPhones are not designed to be waterproof except for the latest models.
Models like iPhone 7, iPhone 8, iPhone X, and newer models such as iPhone 11, 12, 13, and 14, have improved water resistance. These devices can tolerate shallow water for a limited time, around 30 minutes. However, older phones without official water resistance features are more prone to water damage.
It’s important to remember that even if your iPhone has a water resistance feature, it doesn’t make it completely waterproof. It is always advised to use protection when you are going to be in or around water for a longer period of time.
Yes, water damage can potentially affect the iPhone’s battery. When water enters the device, it can cause short circuits and corrosion in the internal components, including the battery. The extent of the damage to the battery depends on the severity of the water exposure and how quickly the water is wiped off the iPhone.
The effectiveness of putting an iPhone in uncooked rice to dry it out is a subject of debate. Rice is often recommended as a do-it-yourself method to absorb moisture from electronic devices, including iPhones. While it may help remove some moisture, it is not the most efficient or reliable method for drying out a water-damaged iPhone as it can add further dust and particles into the phone leading to further problems.
The older models of iPhone, such as iPhone 7 and 8, have IP67 rating, which means they are dustproof and can tolerate water up to 1 meter only for up to 30 minutes. However, the latest models, such as iPhone 12 up to iPhone 14, are certified IP68, which means they are water resistant up to 6 meters for about 30 minutes.
Fixing a water-damaged iPhone requires quick action and proper drying techniques such as removing the sim card slot and drying out the phone with a low-speed fan. If you can still use the phone see if you can back it up in case the phone dies before you get to a repair store. Avoid using rice to dry out the phone or a hairdryer as we concluded it can cause further damage to the phone. Always consider the age of the phone and the extent of the damage to see whether it is more cost-effective to replace rather than repair. While it is not guaranteed that you can fix your iPhone by yourself, following the steps outlined in this blog can improve the chances of recovering your device before any further damage.
Older models with problems can be more unpredictable so ensure you back them up regularly to save your data. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so be cautious around water and consider investing in waterproof cases, especially if you are going to use your iPhone when traveling or keeping your phone away from potential water sources to avoid future mishaps.
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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