Phone Fell in Water? Here's What to Do First

Your phone just took a swim. Maybe it slipped into the sink, fell in the toilet, or got caught in a downpour. Your heart is racing, but what you do in the next five minutes matters more than anything else. Here is exactly what to do, step by step, and what to absolutely avoid.

The First 60 Seconds: What to Do Immediately

1. Get it out of the water immediately. Every second counts. The longer your phone is submerged, the more water can penetrate seals and enter the device through the speaker grilles, charging port, and SIM tray.
2. Power it off. If the phone is still on, shut it down right away. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. A short circuit on a powered device can permanently damage internal components. Press and hold the side button and volume button, then slide to power off.
3. Remove the case. Your case may be trapping water against the phone. Take it off and wipe both the case and phone exterior.
4. Remove the SIM tray. Use the SIM eject tool (or a paperclip) to pop out the SIM tray. This opens an additional pathway for moisture to escape and helps air circulate inside the device.

What NOT to Do (This Is Important)

In a panic, people reach for solutions that feel intuitive but actually make things worse. Here is what to avoid:

• Do not put your phone in rice. This is the most persistent tech myth on the internet. Apple has officially recommended against it. Rice does not absorb moisture from inside a sealed device. What it does do is leave starchy dust particles inside your ports and speakers, potentially causing more damage. In controlled testing, uncooked rice performs no better than simply leaving the phone in open air.
• Do not use a hair dryer. The heat from a blow dryer can warp internal components, damage the battery, or push water further into the device. Even on a cool setting, the forced air can drive moisture deeper.
• Do not charge the phone. If there is moisture in the charging port, plugging in a cable can cause corrosion on the pins or short out the charging circuit. Wait until you are absolutely certain the port is dry. iPhones will display a liquid detection warning if moisture is present.
• Do not shake it violently. Aggressive shaking can push water from less critical areas into sensitive ones like the logic board or camera modules.

What Actually Works for Drying

The most effective drying method is also the simplest: controlled airflow in a dry environment.

• Place the phone in front of a fan. Position it with the charging port facing down so gravity assists drainage. A gentle, room-temperature breeze accelerates evaporation far better than rice or any sealed container.
• Use silica gel packets if you have them. Unlike rice, silica gel is an actual desiccant designed to absorb moisture. Place your phone in a sealed container or zip-lock bag with several packets. These are commonly found in shoe boxes, electronics packaging, and vitamin bottles.
• Wait at least 24 to 48 hours. This is the hardest part. Even if your phone appears to be working after a few hours, internal moisture can linger. Powering on a device with residual moisture inside increases the risk of corrosion and long-term damage.

After Drying: Fix the Speakers

You waited patiently, powered the phone back on, and everything seems to work. Except the speakers. The audio sounds muffled, distant, or crackly. This is extremely common after water exposure, even on phones with IP68 water resistance ratings.

Water gets trapped in the tiny openings of speaker grilles and stays there through surface tension. Drying eliminates the internal moisture, but the speaker cavities are among the last places to fully clear. This is where acoustic cleaning comes in.

Sound-based water ejection uses specific frequencies to vibrate the speaker membrane, physically pushing trapped water droplets out through the grille. It is the same principle Apple uses in the Apple Watch water lock feature. For a detailed explanation of the process, see our guide on how to eject water from iPhone speakers.

Speakers still sound muffled after drying? WaveFix clears trapped water in under 60 seconds.

When to Seek Professional Repair

In most cases, a phone that was briefly submerged in clean water will recover fully with proper drying. However, there are situations that warrant professional attention:

• Saltwater or chlorine exposure. Pool water and ocean water contain chemicals that accelerate corrosion. If your phone was submerged in anything other than fresh water, a professional ultrasonic cleaning may be necessary.
• The phone will not power on after 48 hours. If the device remains unresponsive after thorough drying, internal damage may have already occurred.
• You see discoloration on the screen. Water spots visible behind the display glass indicate moisture has reached the screen assembly, which requires professional service.
• The phone overheats or behaves erratically. Random shutdowns, ghost touches, or unusual heat generation after water exposure suggest circuit-level damage.

For Apple devices, you can visit an Apple Store or authorized service provider. Be aware that water damage is generally not covered under standard warranty, though AppleCare+ with theft and loss does cover accidental damage including water incidents.

Preventing Future Water Damage

Modern iPhones (iPhone 12 and later) carry an IP68 rating, meaning they can withstand submersion in fresh water at specific depths for up to 30 minutes. But this rating is tested under laboratory conditions with static water. Real-world conditions like moving water, temperature changes, and wear on seals over time all reduce effective water resistance.

Treat water resistance as a safety net, not an invitation. Use a waterproof pouch at the pool or beach, keep your phone away from the edge of the sink, and remember that even a water-resistant phone benefits from prompt action when it gets wet.

If your speakers end up sounding off after a water incident, a quick acoustic cleaning session can restore them to full clarity. And if the muffled sound persists, check our full muffled iPhone speaker troubleshooting guide for additional solutions.