As a human being, you are subjected to committing mistakes, and dropping your iPhone in water is one of them. It is no doubt one of the most common complications that people experience. However, you need to realize that fixing a water-damaged iPhone is possible.
It predominantly depends on the extent of the damage and how quickly you implement the mitigating measures to fix the issue.
If things aren’t within your limit, you might need to take the iPhone to an Apple service center or a local one, based on your preference. This article will explore everything you need to know about fixing an iPhone after water damage.
How will I know if my iPhone has Water Damage?
When it comes to water damage to an iPhone, the first thing that you need to do is find the source of damage. Is the damage beyond repair or something that you can fix over time?
The easiest way to check if your iPhone has water damage is to assess what the water damage indicator suggests in your iPhone. If the tab is bright red, it means that your iPhone has substantial water damage.
However, if the indicator shows a white tab, it suggests that the iPhone doesn’t have any kinds of water damage, at least not something you need to be worried about.
How can I fix the water damage on my iPhone?
Once you witness the bright red tab on the iPhone’s water damage indicator, you need to take immediate action. The steps are pretty simple and nothing that will cost you a lot of money or trouble (at least not initially).
Here is a quick rundown of the top 5 tips you should follow:
Turn off the iPhone
When you have accidentally dropped your iPhone and think that there are chances of potential water damage, the first thing you should do is switch it off. Doing so reduces the risks of short circuits that can further damage the phone’s hardware and wiring, further costing you more money to fix it.
Remove the case
If you have a protective back case on your iPhone, immediately take it off the phone. Not doing so will trap excess water inside, leading to further damage that you could have otherwise averted for good.
Remove the SIM card tray
Once you have switched off your iPhone, the next thing you want to do is immediately get a pin and pull out the SIM card tray. Take out the SIM cards and try them out immediately on a paper towel.
Wipe down
As initial mitigation, you need to take a highly water absorbent fabric and then run down the entire iPhone with it. Doing so will soak in the excess moisture that’s lingering on the outside. You can also use a toothpick and use it to soak up the water from the charging ports, etc.
Leave it to dry
Once you have done all the above steps, leave the iPhone in a cool and dry place. Avoid keeping it under the sunlight or even in front of an oven thinking it will dry out the water quicker. That’s not how things work. You need to leave it alone and let it air dry completely. If possible, leave it aside for overnight and then come back and turn it on to see if it’s functional.
If the above steps don’t work and your iPhone doesn’t switch on, the water damage is likely beyond the initial fixes. So, in that case, you need to take it to a professional and get it fixed by them.
Does Rice help in Repairing an iPhone after Water Damage?
Stuffing an iPhone into a can of rice after water damage is one of the most common fixes we have grown up hearing. But, does it work and should you do it?
While it might help soak up a bit of the water from the iPhone, we won’t recommend you try it. The smaller rice and the dirt and grit from the rice can end up getting stuck inside the charging ports, leading to an even bigger issue.
What we’d recommend is letting it air dry for 48-72 hours for the best results. Sometimes, when you are quick and try to charge the iPhone after water damage, there could be residual water inside the iPhone, which can lead to a short circuit and permanent damage.
How do I retrieve my data from a water-damaged iPhone?
So, your iPhone is now damaged. But, is there any way you can retrieve the data from the damaged iPhone? Thankfully, there are ways in which you can overcome this issue in no time at all.
You can get back the data if you have an iPhone backup to your computer or even iCloud. So, if you have been backing the data, here’s what you need to do:
- Connect the iPhone to your computer
- Open iTunes and tap on your device from the menu
- Tap on “Restore backup” from there
In case you don’t maintain any kind of backup to the computer, you will have to take the complicated route of downloading a third-party application and then restoring the lost data.
Where do I get my Water Damaged iPhone fixed?
If you are struggling with a water-damaged iPhone, we’d recommend that you either contact your nearest Apple service center or opt for a local service center if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. Ideally, if you have AppleCare, we’d recommend visiting the registered service center without any second thoughts.
Since Apple doesn’t sell its parts individually in the market, the third-party service centers typically will fit in a cheaper part, with a reduced warranty.
Conclusion
Water-damaged iPhone is easy to fix, provided that you take the right measures. We’d recommend you follow along with the tips and measures we have sorted out in this article. Also, if the damage is beyond repair, get it fixed professionally without any questions.