iPhone Water Damage Recovery Guide
Dropped your iPhone in water? Time is critical! Follow these steps immediately to maximize your chances of saving it.
- ❌ Turn it on or charge it
- ❌ Use a hair dryer (pushes water deeper)
- ❌ Put it in rice (doesn't work, leaves dust)
- ❌ Shake it vigorously
⚡ Immediate Steps (Do These NOW)
Get It Out of Water
Every second counts. Grab it immediately.
Power Off Immediately
If it's still on, turn it off. Hold side + volume, slide to power off. Water + electricity = dead components.
Remove Case & SIM Card
Take off any case. Use the SIM tool to eject the SIM tray — this creates an opening for water to escape.
Shake Out Excess Water
Gently tap the phone against your palm with the Lightning/USB-C port facing down. Let gravity help.
Wipe It Down
Use a lint-free cloth to dry the exterior. Get into all the ports and buttons.
🌬️ Drying Methods (Best to Worst)
Best: Silica Gel Packets
Put phone in a sealed bag with silica gel packets (the "DO NOT EAT" packets from shoe boxes). Wait 48-72 hours.
Good: Fan & Air Flow
Place phone in front of a fan with ports facing the airflow. Leave for 48 hours minimum.
Okay: Open Air
Leave it in a dry room with good air circulation. Takes longer but works.
MYTH: Rice
Rice doesn't absorb moisture effectively and can leave starch dust in your ports. Skip it.
⏰ After 48-72 Hours
- Try turning it on
- If it works — great! But monitor it closely for days/weeks
- If it doesn't — professional cleaning may still save it
- Check for issues: speaker, microphone, charging, cameras
🔬 Professional Water Damage Cleaning
Pros use ultrasonic cleaners and isopropyl alcohol to clean corrosion from the logic board. This greatly improves survival rates for water-damaged phones.
Water Damage Emergency?
We offer ultrasonic cleaning and component-level water damage repair.
📞 (856) 914-1074 PC Medics of NJ • South Jersey