Dropped your phone in water? What to do in the first hour
Most modern phones are water resistant, not waterproof, and that resistance weakens with age, drops and previous repairs. If your phone has been in water, what you do in the first hour makes a real difference.
Do this straight away
- Take it out of the water and switch it off if it is still on.
- Remove the case and the SIM tray so trapped water can escape.
- Dry the outside with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Gently tap the phone against your hand with the charging port facing down to let water drain out.
- Leave it somewhere dry with good airflow.
Avoid these common mistakes
- Do not charge it until it is completely dry. If your iPhone shows a liquid detection warning, unplug it and wait.
- Do not put it in rice. Apple advises against it, because small particles of rice can get into the phone.
- Do not use a hairdryer or radiator. Heat can damage the battery and screen.
- Do not blow compressed air into the ports or push cotton buds into them.
Salt water and sugary drinks
Sea water, fizzy drinks and tea leave salt or sugar behind as they dry, which speeds up corrosion inside the phone. If your phone has been in anything other than clean water, get it checked as soon as you can.
When to get it checked
Even if the phone seems fine once it is dry, corrosion can cause problems days or weeks later: charging faults, dead speakers, or a phone that will not turn on. A professional assessment can clean affected parts before the damage spreads.
Water damage is assessed case by case, and recovery cannot always be guaranteed. Back up your phone as soon as it is working, if you can.
Use our Request a Repair form, choose Water damage, and tell us what happened.