Expert “Do’s & Don’ts” for

iPhone Water Damage Recovery

Mitigate damage before it starts! Check out these tips from our experts on what you should (and shouldn’t!) do when your iPhone accidentally encounters a spill.

DON’TS:

DO NOT: Put your iPhone in a bag of dry rice!

Although this trick is recommended in thousands of blogs and videos, it may Damage your Iphone. Dust and grit will make their way into the inside of your iPhone, and you are wasting a bag of good rice.

DO NOT: Shake or tilt your iPhone!

Water may spill and damage/corrode more internal components if you start to shake a wet phone. Don’t risk it.

DO NOT: Put your iPhone in a freezer!

People often put their iPhones in a freezer to prevent water from spreading. The problem? Once you take the iPhone out, the frozen water melts and spreads to other parts anyway. Another reason not to freeze your iPhone is that low temperatures damage your device. iPhones operate under a standard temperature of 0-35 degrees Celsius. A freezer can operate at 0 degrees Celsius, or even lower. Sticking your iPhone in a freezer can cause permanent damage.

DO NOT: Use isopropyl alcohol to dry it out!

Isopropyl alcohol is generally diluted with water. If you wipe your phone down with 60% isopropyl alcohol to try to dry it out, bad news. You’re still exposing your iPhone to more liquid (and more potential problems). You don’t want to cause more damage to your damaged iPhone, right? Besides, isopropyl is extremely conductive, which can cause further electrical issues.

DO NOT: Blow-dry your iPhone!

A blow dryer is for your hair and not your phone. Using a blow dryer will only push water deeper into your iPhone and lead to even more damage. This is a desperate solution, and one that’s unlikely to work the way you’re hoping it will. Save the blow-dryer for your next date, and keep it far away from your expensive tech.

DO NOT: Put it in the oven, either!

The dangers of this ill-advised tip should be clear. Your device is less likely to dry out, and far more likely to overheat. You’re risking melting crucial internal components by treating your iPhone like a casserole. Keep your phone out of the oven.

DO’S:

DO: Turn the phone off immediately.

This is one of the first steps you should take if your iPhone gets wet. Turning off your phone will prevent water from coursing through your internal components, and reduces the chance of a short circuit occurring.

DO: Remove your iPhone case.

Remove any objects surrounding your phone when it gets wet ASAP. Taking off your case will help you find and dry off any trapped liquids. Leave it off until your phone is fully dry to ensure any lingering moisture evaporates.

DO: Remove your SIM Card slot.

Like your case, a SIM slot can easily trap water inside a phone. After you take off your case, locate your SIM slot (if your iPhone has one). Use a pin to eject the SIM and dry everything off.

DO: Wipe your iPhone with an absorbent cloth.

Dry it off as well as you possibly can, but try to use a piece of cloth that won’t lead to lint getting stuck in any important places. Microfiber or a clean paper towel are good options.

DO: Let it dry for as long as possible.

If possible, wait for a week to ensure your iPhone is completely free of water. At the very least, you should wait for least 48-72 hours. If there’s any visible moisture, wait another 24 hours. It’s better to exercise caution when it comes to tech.

DO: Wait a while before turning it on again.

Water conducts electricity. So when you run an electrical charge through a damp circuit, it’s bound to cause issues. If you don’t want to fry your motherboard, we highly recommend not using a device that’s recently suffered from liquid damage.

DO: Seek professional assistance.

If you’re stuck with a broken phone, your best bet is to get help from a technician with vast experience in iPhone repairs. Try to pick one that’s got a great track record in the repair industry, and that offers a price match policy so you’re guaranteed a great deal. We recommend your local uBreakiFix!

This article was written by members of the uBreakiFix Creative and Marketing teams and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc.

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