You’ve probably been there. Maybe you were washing dishes and a stray splash hit the screen, or you were caught in a sudden downpour, or—worst case—the phone took a literal dive into the pool. Modern iPhones are water-resistant, sure. Apple rates them for IP68, which theoretically means they can handle depth. But water-resistant is not waterproof. The real problem isn't the internal circuitry usually; it’s the speakers. Water gets trapped in those tiny grilles, making your audio sound like it’s coming from the bottom of a cavern. This is where the water eject Siri shortcut becomes a total lifesaver.
It’s basically a community-driven hack that mimics a high-end Apple Watch feature. If you have an Ultra or a Series 9, you know there’s a native "Water Lock" that spits out moisture using sound waves. The iPhone doesn't have that built into Control Center. Honestly, it’s kind of a weird omission by Apple. So, developers in the Shortcuts community filled the gap. They built a script that forces the speaker to vibrate at a very specific frequency to physically push liquid out of the housing.
How the Water Eject Siri Shortcut Actually Works
It isn't magic. It’s physics.
When you trigger the water eject Siri shortcut, your iPhone's speakers begin to emit a low-frequency tone. If you look closely at the speaker holes while it's running, you might actually see tiny beads of water dancing out of the mesh. This is essentially the same principle as a sonic jewelry cleaner or the way a dog shakes itself dry, just at a much higher frequency.
Specifically, many versions of this shortcut use a tone around 165Hz. Why that number? It seems to be the "sweet spot" for moving the air behind the speaker diaphragm with enough force to displace liquid without blowing out the hardware.
The Shortcuts app is one of those powerful tools most people ignore. It lets you string together complex commands that the OS doesn't offer natively. By using the "Play Sound" and "Set Volume" variables, the shortcut cranks your volume to 100%, plays that vibrating tone for about fifteen seconds, and then resets your volume to a normal level. It's elegant in its simplicity.
Setting It Up (The Right Way)
You can't just find this in the App Store. Since it's a third-party shortcut, you usually have to grab it from a reputable community gallery like RoutineHub or ShortcutsGallery.
- First, make sure you have the Shortcuts app installed. It’s an Apple native app, but some people delete it to save space. Download it back.
- Search for a trusted version of "Water Eject." Look for the one with the most downloads or highest ratings.
- Tap "Add Shortcut."
- If your phone blocks it, you might need to go into Settings > Shortcuts and toggle on "Private Sharing" or "Allow Untrusted Shortcuts," though Apple has made this process much more streamlined in recent iOS updates.
Once it's in your library, you just say, "Hey Siri, Water Eject," and the process starts.
IP68 Ratings vs. Real World Physics
Apple tells us the iPhone 15 and 16 can survive 6 meters of depth for 30 minutes. That sounds great on a spec sheet. But here’s the thing: those tests are done in labs with fresh, still water. Saltwater is a whole different beast. Chlorine from a pool is a whole different beast.
When water gets inside the speaker cavity, it creates surface tension. Even after you wipe the phone dry with a towel, that tension keeps the water stuck inside the mesh. If you leave it there, it can dry and leave behind minerals or salt crystals. That’s how you get permanent "crackle" in your audio. The water eject Siri shortcut is your best defense against that residual buildup. It clears the cavity before the water has a chance to evaporate and leave gunk behind.
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I’ve seen people try to suck the water out with their mouths (don't do that) or use a hairdryer. Please, never use a hairdryer. The heat can melt the adhesive that actually provides the water resistance in the first place. You’ll turn a wet speaker into a dead logic board real fast.
Common Misconceptions and Risks
Is it dangerous? Not really. But there are caveats.
If you run the shortcut constantly when the phone is dry, you’re just vibrating your speakers for no reason. It’s like revving a car engine in neutral. It’s not going to explode, but it’s unnecessary wear. Also, some versions of the shortcut try to be "extra" by adding haptic vibrations. Honestly, the haptic motor (Taptic Engine) doesn't really help with water ejection; it’s the air movement from the speakers that does the heavy lifting.
Another big one: This won't fix a phone that has already "drowned." If your screen is flickering or the phone won't turn on, the water is already past the seals. This shortcut is a maintenance tool for the exterior ports, not a surgery for internal damage. If the water is inside the guts of the phone, you need a repair shop, not a sound wave.
And the rice thing? Yeah, forget the rice.
Studies from companies like Gazelle and various repair experts have shown that rice is actually less effective than just leaving the phone in an area with good airflow. Rice can also get dust and starch into the charging port. Just use the shortcut, wipe it down, and let it sit in front of a fan.
The Evolution of the Shortcut
The community behind these scripts is surprisingly active. The original "Water Eject" was pretty basic. Now, you’ll find versions that include:
- Automatic brightness adjustment during the process to "warm" the screen (debatable utility).
- Logs that track how many times you've "ejected" water.
- Integration with "Low Power Mode" to preserve battery while it runs.
Most people just need the basic version. Look for the one maintained by "JoshPDigital" or similar high-profile shortcut creators. They tend to keep the code clean and free of unnecessary bloat.
Why Apple Doesn't Just Build This In
It’s a fair question. The Apple Watch has it. Why not the iPhone?
It likely comes down to liability. If Apple includes a "Water Eject" button, they are tacitly encouraging you to get your phone wet. They want to maintain the "accidental protection" branding rather than the "underwater camera" branding. By keeping it as a community shortcut, the risk remains with the user.
But for those of us who use our phones near the gym shower or at the beach, the water eject Siri shortcut is basically essential. It’s one of those things you don't think about until you hear that muffled, distorted sound from a notification, and then you’re scrambling to remember how to fix it.
Steps to Take After Your Phone Gets Wet
If you’ve just splashed your device, don't panic. Follow a logical order of operations to make sure you aren't making it worse.
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- Power down (if it was a submerge). If it was just a splash, you’re fine. If it went under, turn it off.
- Wipe the exterior. Use a lint-free cloth.
- Tap it gently. Hold the iPhone with the lighting/USB-C port facing down and tap it against your palm to remove excess liquid.
- Run the water eject Siri shortcut. Do this 2 or 3 times until you don't see any more mist or droplets coming from the speaker.
- Air dry. Place it in a dry area with some airflow. A window sill (not too hot) or near a fan is perfect.
- Wait to charge. Never plug in a wet iPhone. Wait at least 5 hours. If you have a wireless charger, that’s generally safer since it doesn't involve the physical pins in the port, but still, dry is better.
The shortcut is a tool, but it's part of a larger process. Using it correctly means you’re significantly less likely to end up with a "muffled" sounding phone for the rest of its lifespan. It’s free, it’s fast, and it works remarkably well for a piece of software trying to solve a physical problem.
Next Steps for Your iPhone Safety:
Go ahead and download the Shortcuts app from the App Store if you haven't already. Search for a reputable "Water Eject" link on a site like RoutineHub—look for the latest version to ensure compatibility with iOS 17 or 18. Once added, test it once to make sure the "Hey Siri" trigger works, then keep it in your library. You’ll be glad it’s there the next time you’re caught in the rain or have a kitchen mishap. Check your speaker health by playing a high-frequency "mosquito" tone video on YouTube afterward; if the sound is crisp and clear, the shortcut did its job perfectly.