It happens fast: a slip into the sink, a drop in the pool, a coffee spill or a phone left in a jacket that went through the wash. Newer iPhones are water resistant, but they are not waterproof, and that resistance weakens with age, drops and previous repairs. What you do in the first minutes after iPhone water damage can make a real difference to whether the phone, and your data, survive.
What to do right away
- Get it out of the liquid as quickly as possible.
- Do not plug it in. Charging a wet phone is one of the fastest ways to damage the circuitry.
- Turn it off if it is still on. Less power flowing through wet components means less risk of short circuits.
- Remove the case and any accessories so trapped water can escape.
- Remove the SIM tray if your model has one, and check it for moisture.
- Wipe the outside dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Hold it port-side down and tap gently against your palm to let water drain from the charging port and speaker grilles.
If it was salt water, chlorinated pool water, coffee, juice or anything sugary, mention it to your technician. These liquids leave residue and are more corrosive than fresh water.
What not to do (including the rice myth)
- Do not put it in rice. Rice does not pull water out of the inside of a phone. It can leave dust and starch in the ports, and it wastes valuable time while corrosion starts on the board.
- Do not use a hair dryer, oven, microwave or heat gun. Heat can damage the battery, screen and adhesives.
- Do not shake it hard or blow into it; that can push liquid deeper.
- Do not keep turning it on to "check if it works".
- Do not stick cotton swabs or paper into the ports.
Why "it seems fine" is not the end of the story
Many water-damaged iPhones work normally at first. The problem is corrosion: minerals and residue left behind on the logic board slowly eat away at tiny components and connections. Days or weeks later, you may notice:
- Charging issues or a "Liquid Detected" alert.
- Muffled speakers or a microphone that stops working.
- Face ID or camera failures.
- Lines on the screen, random shutdowns or a phone that will not turn on.
A professional cleaning soon after the incident gives the phone its best chance. The technician opens the phone, disconnects the battery, inspects the board for corrosion and cleans affected areas.
Protect your data first
If the phone still turns on, back it up immediately to iCloud or a computer, while you can. If it will not turn on, do not give up on your photos yet. Board-level repair can sometimes bring a dead phone back long enough to recover data; see getting data off a dead or water-damaged phone.
About warranties and liquid damage
Liquid damage is typically not covered by manufacturer warranties, and it is important to be upfront about how repairs on wet devices work. Because corrosion can keep spreading after a repair, at Fix Revolution repairs on liquid-damaged devices carry no warranty. We will always explain what we find and what is realistic before you decide anything.
Also note that once a phone has been exposed to liquid or opened, its water resistance should not be relied on. Treat it as a phone that needs to stay dry.
iPhone water damage repair in Ottawa — we come to you
Speed matters with liquid damage. Fix Revolution picks up your iPhone at your home or office anywhere in Ottawa and Gatineau, whether you are in Nepean, Westboro or across the river, assesses it, and drops it back off. Diagnostics are free if you go ahead with the repair; if you decide not to proceed or the device cannot be repaired, a $29 diagnostic, pick-up and delivery fee applies.
Learn about our iPhone repair services in Ottawa, and call 613-265-4349 as soon as you can, or get a free quote online.
Quick answers
Does putting a wet iPhone in rice work?
No. Rice does not draw water out of the inside of a phone, can leave starch and dust in the ports, and wastes time while corrosion starts.
My iPhone works after getting wet. Do I still need it checked?
It is a good idea. Corrosion can develop over days or weeks, so a professional cleaning soon after exposure gives the phone its best chance.
Do repairs on water-damaged iPhones have a warranty?
At Fix Revolution, repairs on liquid-damaged devices carry no warranty because corrosion can continue after the repair. We explain this before any work.