What do I do if my iPhone X fell in water?

Electronics and moisture don't mix. So in the event that you're iPhone falls into a sink full of water, a bathtub or a swimming pool, can you expect it to survive? Many iPhone owners have had to figure out the answer to this question the hard way -- and fortunately, the answer is not always grim. Although there aren't any guarantees that your iPhone will survive a tumble into the tub, there is a chance your phone can make a full recovery. In the end, however, it will depend on the circumstances surrounding the water exposure and your reaction to the event.

Exposure Time

1. The longer your iPhone is submerged in water, the more saturated it will become and the more likely it is that it will suffer permanent damage. If you drop your phone into water, remove it as quickly as possible. The less water that is allowed to permeate your iPhone's case and reach the internal components, the better the chances of survival.

Act Fast

1. Fast action is key to whether your iPhone will survive water damage. Once you get it out of the water, you should turn it off and dry it out as soon as possible. Remove the phone's case and use a soft, absorbent towel to remove as much moisture as possible from the device. To remove moisture from the internal components, shake your iPhone vigorously or use a hairdryer on the cool setting. Surrounding your phone in dry rice or silica packages is also a good way to draw out moisture from inside the device. Don't turn on your iPhone until you're sure it's dry or you'll risk critically damaging the phone's electrical system.

Considerations

1. In addition to being submerged in water for a significant length of time, there is another consideration that will determine whether your iPhone will survive water damage -- the purity of the water. Water with a high salt concentration or a sugary beverage such as juice or soda can cause significantly more damage than plain water because the salt and sugar can become trapped inside your phone. In these instances, it's actually more helpful to flush your phone with rubbing alcohol to clean out this harmful debris.

Possible Complications

1. Even if your iPhone survives water damage, that doesn't mean that it will work without complications. Some common problems with iPhones that suffer water damage include non-functioning headphones and speakers, applications that won't open, persistent freezing and "boot loops," meaning that your phone continuously reboots.

   Here are some essential things you must do after you drop your iPhone in water or after it gets drenched in rain, the shower, or other liquid. But first, some basics.

   

   Is my iPhone waterproof or water-resistant?

   Any iPhone ever released is not waterproof. Instead, iPhone 7 and later are water resistant, which means they will protect your device from splashes of water and other moisture, and dust. But there is no guarantee. And if water gets inside your iPhone and destroys it, Apple won’t take any responsibility as liquid damage isn’t covered under the warranty!

   But don’t get disheartened. The device should work fine if a glass of water, drink, or juice fell on your water-resistant iPhone in a restaurant, it got wet in light rain, or it fell in a tub of water. However, make sure you follow the tips we explain below.

   iPhone 7 and newer models have an official IP rating with varying degrees of depth and time they can be submerged in water. Here’s a table to help.

   iPhone models and their IP ratings

   These are the officially stated IP rating of iPhones as mentioned on their respective Apple Support technical specifications page.

   No official IP rating

   • Original iPhone to iPhone 6S
   • iPhone SE (1st generation)

   Rated IP67 (maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes)

   • iPhone 7
   • iPhone 7 Plus
   • iPhone 8
   • iPhone 8 Plus
   • iPhone X
   • iPhone XR
   • iPhone SE (2nd generation) (2020)
   • iPhone SE (3rd generation) (2022)

   Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 2 meters up to 30 minutes)

   • iPhone XS
   • iPhone XS Max
   • iPhone 11

   Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 4 meters up to 30 minutes)

   • iPhone 11 Pro
   • iPhone 11 Pro Max

   Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes)

   • iPhone 12 mini
   • iPhone 12
   • iPhone 12 Pro
   • iPhone 12 Pro Max
   • iPhone 13 mini
   • iPhone 13
   • iPhone 13 Pro
   • iPhone 13 Pro Max
   • iPhone 14
   • iPhone 14 Plus
   • iPhone 14 Pro
   • iPhone 14 Pro Max

   What affects the water resistance of an iPhone?

   Your iPhone’s water resistance capability isn’t a permanent characteristic. Regular use and wear over time may decrease water and dust resistance. Furthermore, the resistance may degrade if you often drop your iPhone in sea/salty water or it gets frequent splashes of corrosive liquid like juices, drinks, etc. Finally, a screen or battery repair (usually by non-certified technicians) can totally remove or diminish the resistance capability. So, it would be best if you took special precautions with your repaired iPhone.

   Can I claim warranty and free repair for liquid damage on my water-resistant iPhone?

   You cannot, as liquid damage isn’t covered under warranty.

   What to do after you drop your iPhone in water

   If your water-resistant iPhone was in the water or had a splash of water for a few seconds, the initial few tips mentioned below are enough. However, if your non-water-resistant iPhone fell in water or your water-resistant iPhone stayed submerged in liquid for a long time, you must follow almost all the tips mentioned here.

   1. Immediately turn it off

   Power off your iPhone the moment you take it out from the water or shake the liquid off. Switching it off is essential as it will prevent short circuits and major failures in case water has seeped inside the device. Once your turn off the iPhone, follow the remaining solutions.

   

   Caution: Do not, under any circumstances, plug your wet iPhone into charging!

   2. Remove the case

   Water will stay stuck in the gap between the case and the iPhone. Slowly it may seep inside the SIM tray or weaken the water-resistant bond and get in. Plus, water has certain elements that can leave gray residues and become corrosive if left unaddressed. Therefore, remove the case and jump to the next tip.

   
   Image: Unsplash

   3. Wipe the iPhone carefully

   Take a soft towel or piece of cotton cloth and wipe your iPhone to dry water from its surface. Get rid of water that may be stuck around the volume buttons.

   4. Eject the SIM tray, and unplug cables, accessories

   Once the phone is wiped and dry on the outside, hold it in such a way that the SIM slot faces down. This will ensure any liquid that may be stuck in the SIM tray casket slips due to gravity and doesn’t go inside.

   Next, while holding the iPhone the same way, get the SIM ejector tool or one of its easy alternatives and take out the SIM tray. Shake your iPhone with the SIM slot facing down to push down any fine water droplet that may have gone inside.

   
   Composition: Ankur for iDB | Image: Apple

   For now, keep the SIM tray outside the iPhone. Also, gently wipe the SIM card and keep it aside.

   5. Let the iPhone dry

   After following the above tips, just leave your iPhone to dry. Don’t power it on or insert the SIM tray.

   6. Don’t put your iPhone in rice. Use silica gel bags instead

   For a long time, people thought that putting your wet phone or electronics in rice helps. But that’s not entirely true. Unknown to most people, putting your iPhone in rice to dry it can cause more trouble as tiny broken rice particles or its exterior polish or starch may block the speaker grills and line itself around the iPhone. Overall, it’s an impractical solution with no real benefit.

   What you should do instead is get an airtight box, like a lunch box, put some silica gel packets in it and keep your iPhone in this box for about 24 hours. You often get silica gel packets when you buy shoes and other household products. In case you don’t have some lying around, get it from a store or from Amazon: 50 packets of premium and safe silica gel

   
   Composition: Ankur for iDB | Image: Amazon

   7. Eject water from the speaker holes

   Next, use these free methods to eject water from the speaker grills. But they involve powering on your iPhone. So, do this only if your iPhone wasn’t submerged in water for a long time and when it’s safe to power it on.

   8. Wait for a reasonable time, like 24 hours, and you’re now ready to use your iPhone

   After following the above steps, you will have to take a forced break from your iPhone and leave it turned off for about 24-36 hours.

   Once that’s done, power on your iPhone, and if it boots up, congratulations. Use it for a few minutes and ensure the touch screen, speakers, earpiece, and Lightning port are working correctly. Then insert your SIM card, put the case back on, and enjoy your iPhone like before.

   9. Get your device inspected, but please don’t argue with Apple Genius. They know if you’re lying

   In case your iPhone was submerged in water for an unreasonably long time, or its water resistance powers were non-existent, and it suffered liquid damage fixable beyond the scope of the above tips, your only option is to get it inspected by a technician.

   Chat with Apple Support using another device or visit a nearby Apple Store/Apple-certified service center and get your iPhone fixed.

   In the hope of getting the device repaired under warranty, some people debate with the technician and refuse to own that they (accidentally or intentionally) kept their iPhone in water for a long time.

   However, arguing is of no use! iPhones have a Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) near the SIM slot (one of the most obvious points of water ingress). If there is no water damage, the LCI is white or silver. However, if the water gets in the iPhone and comes in contact with the Liquid Contact Indicator, it changes its color to red. Even you can check this by taking out the SIM tray and shining a bright light inside to see the color.

   
   Image: Apple

   Once the Liquid Contact Indicator is red, there is no disputing with Apple Store staff as liquid damage isn’t covered under warranty. It doesn’t matter if Apple showed you 50 advertisements showing iPhone is water resistant, or you bought an expensive iPhone, especially for water protection. Water damage means you have to pay for the repairs! Unless you or your government successfully sue Apple, something like Australia’s Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) did with Samsung related to Galaxy phones with false water-resistance claims. Samsung agreed to pay the penalty.

   Tips for the future to keep your iPhone safe from water

   • Even though your iPhone is water-resistant, treat it as if it isn’t and take all the precautions to keep it away from water.
   • Take care while shooting pictures near pools, beaches, bathtubs, etc.
   • If your lifestyle frequently involves using your iPhone near water, invest in a waterproof case. You may also research and buy insurance that covers liquid damage.

   I hope your wet iPhone didn’t suffer any severe damage and is working fine after following the above tips. If you have something else to share that may benefit fellow readers, please put that in the comment section below.