What to do if your iPhone gets wet

We've all been through it.
 By 
Andy Moser
 on 
What to do if your iPhone gets wet
Don't panic! Credit: Shutterstock / Simon Greig

Uh oh. Your iPhone got wet? If you're here, you're probably panicking, so this is the part where we tell you not to worry and that it's going to be OK! Here's what to do if your iPhone gets wet.

First and most importantly, power off your phone. Do it now. Do not charge your phone. If your phone was plugged in when it got wet, unplug it.

1. Rinse it?

If your iPhone was splashed with something other than water, like, beer for instance, you're actually going to want to rinse your phone with water. Just in the area your phone got wet, though. Not the whole thing.


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Also it's important to note here that some iPhones are actually water resistant, so if you have an iPhone 7 or later, you're in better luck.

SEE ALSO: Best headphones for iPhone owners: Think outside the (AirPods) box

2. Dry it off

To begin drying it, Apple Support suggests that you wipe your phone with a "soft, lint-free cloth." A lens cleaner is probably one of your best options here.

3. Remove the SIM card

Open the SIM tray by finding it on your phone and ejecting it with a small (but dull) pin, like a paperclip. You'll also want to make sure your iPhone is as dry as possible before opening the tray.

4. Tap the water out

Next, tap your phone against your hand lightly. Apple Support recommends you do this with the Lightning connector facing down. This will help remove excess liquid.

5. Let it rest and add airflow

Once you've done that, let your phone rest in a dry area. If you can get some cool air flowing from a fan, and if the air is flowing into the Lightning connector, that'll likely help you. Don't use warm air from an external heat source.

6. Reminder: DO NOT CHARGE IT

Definitely don't try to charge it while it's drying or you could damage it further. Remember, your phone should be off. Apple says you'll want to wait at least five hours before drying to charge it.

Also, avoid using other cloths, like paper towels or napkins, to wipe your phone. And don't stick anything inside of it. Q-tips won't help you here.

7. Rice? Silica packets?

Some sites suggest other drying methods, like putting your iPhone in a bag of uncooked rice, placing it in a plastic bag with silica packets, or even using a hearing aid dryer for a few hours. If you're desperate or if your phone took a long bath, you may want to try this.

You'll surely hear some success stories with these methods, but we'd recommend trying the Apple Support-approved method first. You can check out that page here.

And maybe keep your phone away from the beer, next time.

Topics iPhone

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Andy Moser

Andy is a fellow on Mashable's Culture team. He graduated with a B.S. from the University of North Florida in 2018 and moved to New York to pursue journalism in culture and entertainment. He can (and will) talk for too long about Star Wars and movies in general. His fear of stinging insects and 80+ degree weather will keep him inside forever. He wishes he were shorter.

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