What to do if the iPhone fell into the water: 9 tips. Here’s what to do after you drop your iPhone in water or get wet.
How to Disable iPhone Auto-Lock Screen
Can iPhone be submerged in water?
All iPhones from the iPhone 7 onwards are water resistant, which means that they are protected from splashes and other moisture, as well as dust. However, Apple does not guarantee the water resistance of the device. And if your iPhone stops working after getting into it with liquid, the company does not bear any responsibility, since damage to the device due to contact with liquid is not covered by the warranty.
At the same time, for example, if you spilled a glass of water on your iPhone or it got wet in a light rain, nothing bad should happen.
iPhone 7 and newer models have an official IP rating with varying degrees of depth and time of submersion in water.
iPhone models and IP rating
- The official IP specifications of the iPhone as presented on the Apple website.
No official IP rating (not water resistant)
- iPhone 1 (Original) – iPhone 6S
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
Degree of protection IP67 (maximum depth up to 1 meter and up to
30 minutes underwater)
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd generation) (2020)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation) (2022)
Degree of protection IP68 (maximum depth 2 meters and up to 30 minutes under water)
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone 11
Degree of protection IP68 (maximum depth 4 meters and up to 30 minutes underwater)
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
Degree of protection IP68 (maximum depth 6 meters and up to 30 minutes underwater)
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
What affects iPhone water resistance
iPhone water resistance is not a permanent feature. Regular use and wear over time can reduce water and dust resistance. In addition, resistance may deteriorate with frequent contact with the sea (salt water) or various liquids such as juices, lemonades, etc. Finally, repair or replacement of the display or battery (usually by uncertified technicians) can completely remove or reduce the water resistance of the iPhone . Therefore, if you have repaired the iPhone, it is better not to wet it at all.
Does the warranty and free repair apply if the iPhone fails after water gets into it
No, it does not: damage due to liquid contact is not covered by the warranty.
What to do if iPhone falls into water
If your waterproof iPhone (rated IP67-68) has been in water or under running water for a few seconds, the first few tips mentioned below should suffice. However, if iPhone has been dropped in water or has been submerged in liquid for a long time, follow all of the recommendations listed above.
1.Turn off your iPhone immediately
Turn off your iPhone as soon as you take it out of the water. Disconnecting is important as it will prevent short circuits and major failures should water seep inside the unit. After turning off your iPhone, follow these tips.
Attention: Do not, under any circumstances, connect a wet iPhone to charging!
2.Remove the case
Water remains in the gaps between the case and the iPhone. It may seep into the SIM tray or loosen the waterproof connection and get inside. In addition, the chemical elements that make up the water can leave a residue and lead to corrosion.
3.Thoroughly wipe iPhone
Take a soft towel or cotton pad and dry your iPhone. Wipe the volume buttons with a cloth to remove excess liquid.
4.Pull out the SIM card tray, disconnect cables and accessories
Once the phone is dry on the outside, place it so that the SIM card tray is facing down. This ensures that any liquid that may have become stuck in the holder will flow out without getting inside.
Then, while holding the iPhone in the same position, take the SIM eject tool and remove the tray. Shake the iPhone with the SIM card slot facing down to shake out any water that may have gotten inside.
Do not insert a SIM card into iPhone, wipe the card gently and let it dry.
5.Dry iPhone
Dry iPhone completely. Do not turn it on or insert the SIM card tray.
6.Don’t put iPhone in rice. Use Silica Gel Packets Instead
There is a popular misconception that putting a wet phone or electronics in rice will help get rid of the moisture. In fact, if you put your iPhone in rice, tiny broken pieces of rice, other debris, or starch can get into the speaker grilles and block the microphones.
Instead, take an airtight container, such as a plastic food container, and place your iPhone and silica gel packets in it for 24 hours. Silica gel bags are often placed in shoe boxes. If you can’t find houses, you can buy them.
7.Remove water from speaker holes
Then remove the water from the iPhone speakers. But this will require you to turn on your iPhone, so only do this if your smartphone has been briefly submerged in water so that it can be safely turned on.
8.Wait 24 hours
After following the above tips, leave your iPhone turned off for 24-36 hours.
After that, turn on your iPhone and test it for a few minutes. Make sure the touch screen, speakers, microphones, and Lightning port are working properly. You can then insert the SIM card and put on the case.
9.If the iPhone does not turn on after getting into water
If your iPhone has been in water for a long time or its seal has been broken after an uncertified repair and it stops working due to contact with liquid, the only option is to contact a service center.
Contact Apple Support using a different device, or visit your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider to diagnose your iPhone.
Arguing with a service representative and arguing that you didn’t get your iPhone wet is useless because the iPhone has a Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) next to the SIM card slot (one of the most obvious water entry points). If there are no traces of water contact, the liquid contact indicator is white or silver. If water gets into the iPhone and comes into contact with the liquid contact indicator, it changes color to red. You can test this yourself by removing the SIM card tray and shining a bright light inside to see the indicator.
If the technician sees that the liquid contact indicator is red, you will be denied warranty service, as damage to the iPhone due to liquid contact is not covered by the warranty. It doesn’t matter that Apple’s commercials show how water is spilled on the Phone, emphasizing that the smartphone is waterproof. Water damage means you have to pay for repairs.
Tips for Protecting iPhone from Water
- Even if your iPhone is waterproof, try to keep it out of the water like it doesn’t have an IP rating.
- Avoid splashing when shooting near water (pools, beaches, bathtubs, etc.).
- If your lifestyle means frequent use of your iPhone near water, get a reliable waterproof case. You can also take out additional insurance that covers iPhone breakage due to liquid contact.
