iPhone· 4 min read
iPhone dropped in water: what you should do now
Sink, rain or coffee: these immediate steps improve the chances of saving your iPhone and your data – and these are the mistakes to avoid.
Modern iPhones are splash-resistant – but they aren’t waterproof. Seals age, and after a drop or a screen repair, liquid can get in more easily. If your iPhone has got wet, the first few minutes often decide whether it can be saved.
Immediate steps
- Get the device out of the water straight away and dry it with a lint-free cloth.
- Remove the case so that moisture doesn’t get trapped underneath.
- Don’t charge it! As long as there’s liquid in the charging port, electricity can cause corrosion and short circuits. If your iPhone shows a liquid detection warning, always hold off on charging.
- Hold the iPhone with the port facing down and tap it gently against your palm so that water can drain out.
- With salt water, coffee or soft drinks: These liquids leave residues and attack the logic board particularly quickly. Switch the iPhone off and take it to a professional as quickly as possible.
What you should avoid
- No hairdryer and no radiator. Heat can damage the battery and screen, and it drives moisture deeper into the device.
- No rice. The myth is stubborn, but it doesn’t help – quite the opposite: rice starch and dust can get into the openings.
- Don’t stick anything into the port, such as cotton buds or paper.
- Don’t keep switching it on to test whether the device still works.
Why water damage often only shows up later
Even if your iPhone seems to work normally once it has dried, corrosion can develop inside. Typical after-effects include charging problems, a speaker that stops working, a fogged-up camera or a device that suddenly won’t start days later.
Our tip: Back up your data as soon as your iPhone is running again – via iCloud Backup or on your computer. That way your photos and contacts are safe in case a fault does appear later.
When you should come to us
If your iPhone no longer starts, won’t charge or individual functions have stopped working, it’s best to bring it to our shop on Zossener Straße switched off. We open the device, clean the affected areas and check all components. We then give you a binding repair price – and you decide whether to go ahead with the repair.
