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How to get water out of an iPhone

If your iPhone gets wet, immediately power it down and dry the exterior with a lint-free cloth — avoid heat or plugging it in too soon. To remove water from the charging port, hold the phone port-down, tap it gently and let the device air dry without inserting anything inside. For water in the speakers, position the phone speaker-side down and use tools like the Siri Water Eject shortcut or a tone-generating app to help clear moisture.

Dropped a phone in water? Now what?

Maybe it was a sink slip. Perhaps a rogue wave at the beach. Or maybe the weather app was wrong and you got caught in a downpour. However it happened, your iPhone is wet — and now you’re low-key panicking.

While most newer iPhones are water-resistant, which provides a buffer, they’re not waterproof. That means your device can survive a splash, but it’s still vulnerable to water seeping into places it shouldn’t. Since accidents can’t be avoided, here’s what to do if you dropped your phone in water.

What to do if your iPhone gets wet

Even with water resistance, liquid can still get into your speakers or charging port — especially if your phone has been dropped or damaged over time.

So whether it’s soaked from the sink, splashed by the pool or just sweaty from a long run, here’s your step-by-step plan for how to get water out of your iPhone.

Step 1: Power down and dry the outside

If your iPhone is wet, turn it off immediately to avoid experiencing a short circuit.

Then, gently dry the outside with a lint-free or microfiber cloth. No paper towels or napkins as those can leave debris or may not be absorbent enough.

Whatever you do, don’t grab the hairdryer. It might seem like a quick way to get water out of your phone, but using heat can push liquid deeper into your phone and damage internal components.

Resist the urge to plug it in “just to check.” Charging your phone while it’s wet can cause corrosion and permanent damage.


Step 2: How to get water out of the iPhone charging port

Avoid your initial reaction to vigorously shake your device or use any objects to soak up water. Follow these steps to carefully get water out of an iPhone charging port: 


  • Hold your phone so the charging port is facing down
  • Give it a few gentle taps against your palm to help any water work its way out
  • Let it sit upright in a dry area with good airflow (a fan could help)
  • Avoid sticking anything — like cotton swabs or rolled-up tissue — inside
  • Wait a few hours before attempting to charge your phone

Step 3: How to get water out of iPhone speakers

Even though speakers can sound muffled, crackly or even stop working altogether after water exposure, you may still be able to reverse the damage. 

  • Place your phone speaker-side down on a towel and gently tap the sides to encourage draining
  • Let it sit that way for a couple of hours
  • Try the Water Eject Siri Shortcut — it uses sound waves to vibrate water out. (Just say “Hey Siri, Water Eject” if you’ve got it set up)
  • Or download a tone-generating app that plays specific frequencies to push water out

You may need to repeat the steps above if you’re still experiencing quality issues as it can take some time to thoroughly dry out an iPhone.

How to know if your iPhone has water damage

Since your device may look normal in appearance, here are some signs of how to tell if your iPhone has water damage:

  • Muffled speaker or distorted sound
  • Charging issues or a “Liquid detected” message when trying to charge
  • Unresponsive touchscreen or unexpected glitches
  • Persistent fogging or moisture under the screen or around the camera lens

You can also check for phone water damage by opening the SIM tray and shining a flashlight inside. Look for the Liquid Contact Indicator, a tiny dot that detects the presence of liquid inside your phone. If the dot is white or silver it means no water is detected. A red dot means your phone has been exposed to liquid and may have water damage.

What not to do

You’ve probably heard of – and maybe even tried – some common tricks for getting water out of your phone. But these can cause more harm and should be avoided. 

  • Don’t put your phone in rice: It doesn’t soak up moisture. Dust or particles from rice can worsen the issue by getting lodged inside your phone.
  • Don’t use a hairdryer, oven, microwave or compressed air: Using any of these tactics can harm your phone.
  • Don’t charge your iPhone until you’re sure it’s dry: Wait several hours before charging your phone or you may damage the charging port and internal components. 

How long should you wait before charging a wet iPhone?

It can take hours to dry out a wet iPhone. If you’ve waited an hour and are still seeing a “liquid detected” alert, don’t ignore it. Attempting to force a charge can cause irreversible and permanent damage. 

How to prevent phone water damage in the future

Here’s the truth: water-resistant doesn’t mean waterproof. Even if your iPhone is water-resistant, its ability to withstand liquid can diminish due to daily wear and tear, such as drops, scratches or exposure. Over time, small amounts of moisture can cause charging ports and internal components to degrade.

For peace of mind, the solution is simple: protect your phone from water damage with the OtterBox Frē Series. These iPhone waterproof cases are:

  • Waterproof for 2 meters up to 1 hour | IP68
  • Integrated screen protector and port covers for 360 protection
  • MagSafe compatible
  • 5X tested to military drop standard (MIL-STD-810G 516.6)
  • Slim enough for daily use
  • Engineered by LifeProof, the original developer of Frē Series

Pro tip from the OtterBox team: Waterproof cases aren’t just for adventure. From spilled coffee and open pockets above toilets to rainy commutes and sweaty gym bags, they’re for peace of mind in everyday messes.

"Waterpoof cases also still serve an important purpose in today’s world of tougher phones. I recommend using a fully waterproof case, such as the OtterBox Frē Series, in environments where your phone may be exposed to saltwater, sand or consistently wet and dirty conditions, like at the beach. This keeps salt and grit from entering the ports on your phone and causing damage." Doug Kempel, Vice President of Engineering, Otter Products.

Protect your device with an iPhone waterproof case

Knowing how to remove water from an iPhone is helpful — but preventing damage in the first place is even better. Safeguard your device from the start so a minor accident doesn’t turn into a headache. 

Shop the best waterproof phone cases to keep your iPhone safe from spills or splashes.