It happened. That slow-motion heart-sink as your iPhone slips from your grip and plunges into the sink, the pool, or—heaven forbid—the toilet. You’re standing there staring at the bubbles. Your life is on that device. Your photos, your banking apps, that half-finished text to your boss.
Panic is the enemy here.
Most people instinctively reach for a bag of rice. Stop right there. Seriously. Don't touch the pantry. If you’ve dropped iPhone in water what do i do is likely the only thought screaming through your brain, but the "rice trick" is a myth that Apple themselves officially debunked in 2024. It doesn't help, and it might actually make things worse by jamming dust and starch into your charging port.
Let's get your phone dry without killing it.
The Immediate Seconds: Damage Control
First, get it out of the liquid. Fast.
If it’s still on, turn it off immediately. Power is the real killer here. Water itself doesn't necessarily destroy electronics; it’s the short circuits that happen when electricity meets minerals in the water. By cutting the power, you’re stopping the "fried" motherboard scenario before it starts.
If your iPhone was charging when it took the plunge, be careful. Don't just yank the cable if you're standing in a puddle. Turn off the power at the breaker or the wall switch first if there's any risk of electric shock. Safety over hardware. Every time.
Once it's in your hand, grab a lint-free cloth—like a lens cleaner or a soft microfiber towel. Wipe the exterior down. Don't use paper towels if you can avoid it, as they can break off and get stuck in the seams.
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Dropped iPhone in Water What Do I Do if it was Saltwater or Soda?
Fresh water is bad. Saltwater is a nightmare.
If you dropped your phone in the ocean or spilled a sticky Coke on it, the minerals and sugars will corrode the internal components much faster than plain tap water. Experts at repair sites like iFixit often suggest a counter-intuitive move: if the phone is already wet with corrosive liquid, you might need to briefly rinse it with clean tap water or—better yet—90% isopropyl alcohol to get the salt or sugar out.
It feels wrong to put a wet phone under more water. I get it. But salt crystals act like tiny saws on your circuitry once the water evaporates. You have to neutralize that stuff.
The Modern iPhone’s Secret Weapon: IP Ratings
Most iPhones since the iPhone 7 have some level of water resistance. But "water-resistant" is not "waterproof."
Apple uses the IP68 rating on newer models like the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. Technically, these are rated to survive depths of up to 6 meters for about 30 minutes. That sounds reassuring, right?
Well, here is the catch. Those seals degrade over time. If you’ve ever dropped your phone on a hard floor, or if it’s been sitting in the sun, those rubber gaskets might have tiny, microscopic cracks. Water finds a way. Also, Apple's standard warranty famously does not cover liquid damage. Even if they advertise it as water-resistant, if the internal Liquid Contact Indicators (LCIs) are red, you’re usually paying for the repair out of pocket unless you have AppleCare+.
What You Should Actually Be Doing Right Now
Forget the rice. Forget the hair dryer.
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Heat is a disaster for iPhones. If you blast your phone with a blow dryer, you risk melting the adhesive that keeps the screen attached, or worse, warping the delicate internals.
- The Gravity Method: Hold the iPhone with the Lightning or USB-C port facing down. Gently tap the phone against your palm to shake out excess liquid. Think of it like getting water out of your ear after a swim.
- Airflow is King: Place the phone in a dry area with some airflow. A windowsill with a breeze or near (but not directly in front of) a fan is perfect.
- Wait: This is the hardest part. You need to wait at least 24 hours. Ideally 48.
I know you want to check if it works. I know you want to see if that notification light still blinks. Don't do it. Every time you try to power it on prematurely, you're rolling the dice on a permanent short circuit.
The "Water Eject" Shortcut
If your iPhone is still somewhat functional and the screen works, there is a clever software trick. There are "Water Eject" shortcuts available through the iOS Shortcuts app that play a specific low-frequency tone.
This sound frequency creates vibrations that literally pump water out of the speaker grilles. It’s the same technology Apple uses in the Apple Watch "Water Lock" feature. It’s not a miracle cure, but it’s great for clearing up muffled audio after a splash.
Why Silica Gel is Your Best Friend
You know those little "Do Not Eat" packets that come in shoeboxes? Those are silica gel. Unlike rice, which is mostly a placebo, silica gel is a desiccant designed specifically to pull moisture out of the air.
If you happen to have a bunch of those laying around, put the iPhone in a sealed container with them. They are infinitely more effective at drawing out deep-seated moisture from the charging port and SIM tray slot than any grain of rice could ever be.
Checking the Damage: The LCI
Every iPhone has a Liquid Contact Indicator. It’s a tiny sticker that turns bright red when it hits water. On most modern iPhones, you can find this by popping out the SIM card tray and looking inside the slot with a flashlight and a magnifying glass.
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If you see a red pinkish glow in there, the internal seals were breached. This is the first thing a technician at the Genius Bar will check. If it’s white or silver, you might have gotten lucky and kept the moisture to the exterior.
Common Myths to Ignore
- The Freezer: Some old forum posts claim freezing the phone stops the water from moving. No. Water expands when it freezes. You will literally crack the screen or the motherboard from the inside out.
- Charging it to "dry it out": Using the internal heat of a charging battery to dry the phone is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. The heat won't be enough to evaporate the water, but the current will be enough to fry the board.
- Vigorous Shaking: A gentle tap is fine. Shaking it like a cocktail shaker just moves the water deeper into the crevices of the logic board.
Practical Next Steps for Your iPhone
If you’ve followed the steps and 48 hours have passed, it’s time for the moment of truth.
Carefully inspect the charging port for any green crust (corrosion) or debris. If it looks clean, try to power it on. If it boots up, immediately back it up to iCloud or a computer. Even if it works now, "delayed corrosion" is a real thing. A phone that works today might die in two weeks as the internal parts slowly rust.
Should the phone stay black, or if the screen has weird lines and "watermarking" behind the glass, you need professional help. Avoid the "mall kiosks" for liquid damage if you can; they often just scrub the board with a toothbrush and hope for the best. Look for a repair shop that offers ultrasonic cleaning. This process uses high-frequency sound waves in a chemical bath to vibrate every microscopic bit of corrosion off the board without damaging the components.
If you have AppleCare+, a liquid damage replacement usually costs a flat deductible (around $99 in the US), which is a bargain compared to the $600+ for a new device. Check your coverage status on the Apple Support website using your serial number before you spend a dime elsewhere.
Move the phone to a room with a dehumidifier if you have one. This creates the optimal environment for moisture to escape the tight seals of the chassis. Keep the SIM tray out during this time to allow a small vent for internal air exchange.