Take it out, power it off and don't charge it. Wipe it dry, take off the case, and tap it gently with the port facing down. Skip the rice and the hair dryer. If it went into salt water, a pool or a sugary drink, or if anything works differently, get it professionally cleaned quickly, because corrosion keeps spreading.
Do this right away
- Get it out of the liquid and power it off if it's still on.
- Take off the case so trapped water can escape.
- Dry the outside with a lint-free cloth.
- Hold it with the port facing down and tap it gently against your hand to drain liquid.
- Leave it somewhere dry with good airflow, and don't turn it back on yet.
What not to do
- Don't charge it or plug anything in. Liquid plus power is what causes short circuits.
- Don't put it in rice. Apple advises against it. Rice doesn't remove corrosion, and small particles can end up inside the phone.
- Don't use heat or compressed air. A hair dryer or oven can damage the battery, and compressed air pushes water further in.
- Don't poke the port with cotton swabs or paper towels.
What water resistant really means
Water resistance ratings are measured in a lab with fresh water. The seals age, and they weaken after drops or repairs. Salt water, chlorine and sugary drinks are much harder on the phone than plain water, and liquid damage isn't covered by Apple's standard warranty.
The Liquid Detected alert
Recent iPhones can warn you when there's liquid in the charging port. Unplug the cable and leave the phone to dry for at least 30 minutes. There's an emergency override, but charging while the port is wet risks damaging the phone and the cable.
Why it can work now and fail later
Even if your iPhone seems fine, minerals left behind keep corroding the board over days or weeks. Typical delayed symptoms are charging problems, no audio, random shutdowns, Face ID failing and lines on the display.
A professional water damage repair means taking the phone apart and cleaning the board ultrasonically, which removes the residue before it does more damage.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I wait before turning my iPhone back on?
If it's off, leave it off until it has been dried and ideally inspected. At a minimum, wait until there's no visible moisture and the Liquid Detected alert has cleared. Powering a wet board causes most of the damage.
Does putting an iPhone in rice work?
No. Rice doesn't stop corrosion, and Apple specifically recommends against it. Air-drying is better, and a professional cleaning is best.
Can you recover photos from a water-damaged iPhone?
Often, yes. Even if the phone won't turn on, a board-level repair can usually get it running long enough to save your data.
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