Do you know what to do when you spill water on your iPhone or it gets soaked in the rain? A wet iPhone needs to be dried out. Read on to find out how to go about it properly.
The iPhone has been water and dust resistant since version 7. What that water resistance really means, and how much the various iPhone models can withstand, you can read in our article on the water resistance of individual iPhone models.
The important thing to know is that resistance to splashes, water and dust is not permanent; it decreases over time. What's more, liquid damage is not covered by the warranty. If a “flooded” iPhone needs servicing, you have to pay for it, and that applies to the newer generations too. And if liquid gets into the internal parts of the phone, there's a risk of serious damage.
What should you not do?
So even though the phone can in theory cope with it, you shouldn't expose it to liquids deliberately. You shouldn't bathe or swim with it, or expose it to pressurised water or a strong stream of water (showering, water skiing and so on); you shouldn't use it in a sauna or steam room, you shouldn't intentionally submerge it in water, and you shouldn't take it into extremely humid environments either.
Try not to expose your iPhone to soap, cleaning products, acids, acidic foods or liquids in general – this also includes perfumes, insect repellents, lotions, sunscreens, oils, adhesive removers, hair dyes and solvents. If your iPhone comes into contact with any of these substances, clean it carefully.
Rescuing a wet iPhone
If you manage to spill a liquid other than water on your phone, rinse the affected area with tap water – this applies to iPhone 7 and later. If the spill is on an older device, turn it off immediately. Wipe your iPhone with a soft, lint-free cloth – a lens cleaning cloth, for example.
Before you then open the SIM card tray, make sure your iPhone is dry on the outside. The ideal way to dry a wet iPhone is to hold it with the Lightning connector facing down and tap it gently against your palm. This removes the excess liquid. Then leave it face down in a dry place where there's some airflow (but not on a radiator).
You can help it dry by placing your iPhone in front of a fan so that cool air blows directly into the Lightning connector. Never use an external heat source to dry your iPhone, and don't insert any objects into the Lightning connector, such as cotton buds or paper tissues. And never blow into it with your mouth.
Is your iPhone's connector not working?
If your iPhone has come into contact with liquid, unplug all cables from it and don't charge it until it's completely dry. Charging a damp phone or using it with accessories can leave you with an iPhone connector that doesn't work. So before you charge a wet iPhone or plug any accessories into the Lightning connector, wait at least 5 hours. Charging a damp device could also damage the iPhone's battery.
iPhone won't turn on after getting wet?
The sooner you turn off a device that isn't water resistant, the more damage you'll prevent, because there won't be an electrical short and damage to the logic board. If the logic board is destroyed, the usual result is that the iPhone won't turn on, and there's a risk that a repair will be needed.
If you've dried the phone as described above and the device won't turn on or isn't working properly, unfortunately you'll have no choice but to visit a repair shop.
How much does it cost to repair an iPhone after liquid gets in
The price of the repair varies by model. At appleguru.cz, we'll take complete care of your wet device from 790 Kč.
If the connector has been damaged, replacing the charging (Lightning) connector likewise starts at 790 Kč.
You'll find the complete price list by model here.
Would you like a specialist to take a look at your wet iPhone? Come and see us! We're specialists in Apple products.
✆ 607 855 558
✉ info@appleguru.cz
Seifertova 683/83, Prague 3 - Žižkov
