iPhone Water Damage: First Steps
Speed matters. Quick, calm steps give a wet iPhone the best chance, and a few common myths make things worse.
1Turn it off and unplug it
Power down straight away and unplug any cable. Charging a wet phone can short the board.
2Dry the outside
Wipe it down and shake out loose water. Do not use a hairdryer or heat.
3Don't put it in rice
Rice does not dry a phone and can leave dust in the ports.
4Let it dry for a day
Leave it somewhere dry and airy for at least 24 hours before trying to charge it.
5Get it checked
Liquid can corrode the board later, so have the phone opened and cleaned, and replace damaged parts such as the charging port or battery.
Common questions
Is my iPhone waterproof?
Recent iPhones resist water to a rated depth, but the seals age and the rating doesn't cover liquids like salt water or soap.
Can a water-damaged iPhone be repaired?
Often, if it is cleaned quickly. The longer corrosion sits, the more parts need replacing.
Need to repair it?
Step-by-step guides for the fix, with the parts at trade prices.