How to Dry Out an iPhone

Water and iPhones don't mix. If you find yourself with a wet iPhone, make sure to act quickly to save the device.

The Apple iPhone is a popular---and expensive---device. Starting at $100 dollars and working its way up to $400, the iPhone is a significant investment for many owners. But accidents happen. One common problem, and one not covered by the device's warranty, is water damage. Luckily, if you act quickly you can dry the device out and avoid purchasing a new one.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Rice
• Blow dryer
• Cotton swabs

1. Remove the iPhone from whatever liquid it was exposed to. Remove as much water as possible from the device as quickly as you can.

2. Make sure that the device is off. If it isn't, turn it off to avoid any further risk.

3. Using a blow dryer, cotton swabs, and a towel, dry the openings of the iPhone as much as possible. These openings include the headphone jack, dock connector, and ear speaker. If possible, blow compressed air into these slots to speed up the drying process.

4. Place your iPhone in some type of moisture-absorbing material, such as rice or silica gel. Bheestie bags, a commercial option, are specifically designed for electronics. Let the iPhone sit in this material for at least 24 hours.

5. Remove your iPhone from the moisture-absorbing material and let it sit for another three to four hours to dry. If you can then power up the iPod, it has been thoroughly dried.

References

• Derek Punsalan: "Bheestie Bag Saves Me $200"
• CNET: "What to Do If Your iPhone Gets Wet"
• Elliot C. Back: "How to Fix a Wet iPhone"

Resources

• Bheestie Products