It takes a second. A phone slips out of a pocket into a sink, a drink tips over on a desk, or a sudden rain shower soaks a bag. What you do over the next hour can decide whether the phone is fine by tomorrow or ends up in the repair queue. The good news is that the right steps are simple and cost nothing. The bad news is that the most popular home remedy, a bag of rice, is the one thing the manufacturer tells you not to do.
This guide sets out the steps in the order you should take them, explains why each one matters, and shows how to tell whether the phone needs a professional. If the phone is already refusing to charge, our phone not charging fix checklist covers the other causes.
The First Five Minutes: Do These Things Right Now
- Get the phone out of the liquid straight away. Every second in the water gives it more chance to reach the circuit board.
- Turn it off, or keep it off if it is already off. A powered-on phone can short-circuit when liquid reaches live components. Do not press buttons to test whether it still works.
- Unplug anything attached. Remove the charging cable, headphones and accessories. If the phone is plugged in, disconnect it carefully with dry hands.
- Take off the case and any cover. A case traps liquid against the body of the phone.
- Remove the SIM tray if your phone has one. Apple’s advice, as reported by Techlicious, is to remove the case, accessories and SIM card and wipe off any visible water.
- Dry the outside with a soft cloth or paper towel. Wipe the screen, back and edges. Do not rub hard into ports.
Let the Water Drain Out
Apple’s guidance is to prop the phone up and gently tap it so liquid can drain from the openings, then leave it in a dry area with a fair amount of airflow. Keep the charging port facing down while you do this. A shelf near an open window or a spot in front of a fan works better than a closed drawer.
Be gentle. Shaking the phone hard can move water to places it would not otherwise reach. A few light taps against your palm are enough.
What You Should Not Do
These are the habits most likely to turn a rescue into a repair.
Do not put it in rice
Apple’s support advice is clear that you should not put an iPhone in a bag of rice. Tiny grains and starch can get inside the connector and other openings, and rice does little to draw out moisture trapped inside the phone. If you want a drying aid, airflow and time are better. This advice applies to Android phones too, since the openings and risks are similar.
Do not use heat or compressed air
A hair dryer, a radiator or an oven can warm the battery and glue and damage components, and compressed air can push water further in. FOX stations reporting on Apple’s updated guidance listed external heat and compressed air among the things to avoid.
Do not push anything into the charging port
Cotton swabs and paper towel fibres can leave debris in the connector and push liquid deeper. Apple also advises against inserting objects such as these into the port.
Do not charge it to see if it works
Charging a phone that still holds liquid is one of the most common reasons a recoverable phone dies. Plugging it in can create a short circuit or corrode the charging pins. If you are tempted to test it, wait.
How Long Should You Wait?
Apple’s updated guidance, reported on January 2, 2024, says to keep the phone unplugged until it is fully dry and not to charge it again until at least 30 minutes have passed. For turning the phone back on, Techlicious reports Apple advises waiting 24 to 48 hours, and notes that components can take up to a week to dry completely. In practice, a longer wait is safer than a shorter one. If you cannot be without the phone, move your SIM to a spare handset rather than powering up a wet one.
| Situation | What to do | Typical wait before powering on |
| Quick splash, wiped off at once | Dry the outside, leave in airflow | Several hours, longer if any moisture alert appears |
| Dropped in a sink or shallow water | Power off, remove case and SIM, drain and air-dry | 24 to 48 hours as a minimum |
| Fully submerged for a longer period | Power off, do not charge, consider a repair shop before any power-up | Get it checked first |
| Salt water, sugary drink, milk or coffee | Do not wait for it to dry; residue keeps corroding | Take it to a repair shop as soon as you can |
The last row comes from general repair-shop experience rather than a manufacturer table: liquids that contain salt or sugar leave residue behind, so even a quick clean-up at home may not be enough.
Check the Liquid Contact Indicator
Most iPhones built after 2006 include a Liquid Contact Indicator, a small marker that is normally white or silver and turns red when it meets water or a liquid containing water, according to Apple’s support page. On many models it is visible in the SIM tray slot or inside the charging port, and a lighted magnifying glass helps. Apple says humidity and normal temperature changes should not set it off. Apple also recommends having the device inspected by Apple or an authorised provider if you are unsure, even when the indicator is red.
Many Android phones have similar indicators, and the location differs between makers, so check your handset’s support page. A phone that shows a liquid-detected warning on screen or in the charging port should be kept unplugged until it is dry.
Does Water Resistance Mean You Are Safe?
Modern phones come with a water-resistance rating, which describes lab conditions with fresh water. A rating is not a guarantee. Seals age, and a drop or a repair can weaken them. Apple’s support page states that servicing for liquid damage to an iPhone is not covered by the Apple One-Year Limited Warranty, although it adds that you may have rights under consumer law. Check your own manufacturer’s warranty terms, and any insurance policy, before you decide how to proceed.
When to Book a Repair
Take the phone to a repair shop if any of these apply:
- It was submerged for more than a moment, or in anything other than clean water.
- The screen shows lines, flickering or coloured patches after drying.
- It will not turn on after 48 hours of drying, or it turns on and then restarts repeatedly.
- Speakers, microphones or cameras sound or look muffled, foggy or distorted.
- The battery drains much faster than before, or the phone gets hot while idle.
- A moisture warning keeps returning after the phone has dried.
A technician can open the phone, clean corrosion from the board with proper solvents and test the battery, which is something no home method can do. Opening a phone yourself is another way to make things worse, as we explain in our guide to the DIY repair mistake that destroys a laptop or phone. If the repair quote is high compared with the phone’s value, our Repair vs Replace articles will help you decide.
After the Rescue: Protect the Phone Next Time
- Use a case that seals the charging port, or a waterproof pouch near pools, beaches and the kitchen sink.
- Back up your phone regularly. If it is lost, you will not lose your photos.
- Avoid charging in the bathroom or kitchen where splashes are common.
- Keep a spare cable and a small silica gel pack in your bag for emergencies, but do not rely on either as a fix.
You can find more maintenance advice in our Phone Repair Guides category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put my wet phone in rice?
No. Apple’s support advice is not to put an iPhone in a bag of rice, because small grains can get inside and cause damage. Airflow and patience are better.
How long should I wait before charging a wet phone?
Apple says to keep the phone unplugged until it is dry and to wait at least 30 minutes before charging. For switching it back on, Techlicious reports Apple recommends 24 to 48 hours.
Is liquid damage covered by warranty?
Apple’s support page says liquid damage servicing is not covered by the Apple One-Year Limited Warranty, but you may have rights under consumer law. Other manufacturers have their own terms, so read yours.
My phone works again. Is it fixed?
Not necessarily. Corrosion can develop over days or weeks. Watch for battery drain, speaker problems or random restarts and book an inspection if you see any of them.
Final Thoughts
The recipe is short: get it out, switch it off, unplug everything, drain and dry it in moving air, wait, and do not charge it early. Skip the rice, the hair dryer and the cotton swabs. If anything seems off afterwards, a quick check by a technician costs far less than a replacement phone.
Sources used: Techlicious, What You Should Do When Your iPhone Gets Wet and Apple Support, Water and other liquid damage to your iPhone or iPod isn’t covered by warranty.
