My New iPhone Got Water Damaged

Your iPhone and water do not mix. If it gets water damaged, dry it out as quickly as you can.

One nightmare for iPhone owners is to see your expensive, beloved iPhone take a swim in the pool or the lake, glass of water, water cooler. Suddenly, you no longer have a high-tech phone/entertainment system/ business organizer. Now you have a paperweight. However, all is not lost. Depending on how badly the water damaged the iPhone's electronics, you may be able to save it. The trick is to dry it out as quickly as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Towel
• Uncooked rice
• Airtight container such as a jar or plastic bag you can seal
• Silica gel packets

Instructions

1. Dry the outside of your iPhone with a dry cloth or towel.

2. Place the iPhone in a sealable container.

3. Add several silica gel packets to the container. If you do not have silica gel packets, pour the uncooked rice in around the iPhone.

4. Store the container in a dry place for two or three days.

5. Plug your iPhone into your computer. If it restarts, restore it from iTunes. If it does not, you need to send it to Apple for service.

Tips & Warnings

• Apple charges $199 to service an iPhone that is out of warranty.

References

• Apple Support: Service Answer Center - iPhone: Warranty and Service Pricing
• Apple Support: Service Answer Center - iPhone: Service
• CNET; What to Do if Your iPhone Gets Wet; Ben Wilson; January 2008
• Know Your Cell: How to Dry Out a Water-Damaged iPhone