I accidentally dropped my iPhone XS in the sink this morning, but it was only submerged for about 2-3 seconds. I quickly powered it down and dried the exterior. Later, I even removed the screen to let it dry. Typically, I wouldn't worry too much, but since I've had the screen replaced, my phone is no longer water-resistant. When I checked inside, it was mostly dry except for small puddles on the outer edges. It's been 12 hours since the incident. If my phone's toast, I can buy a new one, but I only need it to be somewhat functional to transfer my data. Any advice?
7 Answers
Dropped my iPhone SE in a pond while partying and didn't do anything. It still works fine! So there's hope for you!
The water resistance mainly comes from a coating on the parts, not just any glue around the screen. So that could be important to keep in mind when considering repairs!
Usually, iPhones can handle brief submersion, so you might be okay! But double-check with the repair shop about how they sealed it after the screen replacement. They might not have used waterproof glue.
For android phones, if it powers on, you can access files via USB, so it might be similar for your iPhone. Just plug it into your computer and see if you can back your data up before it's too late!
Don’t expect it to work like it used to, especially with Apple products.
Yes, but iPhones often require special software, and only certified techs can access some data.
You can use isopropyl alcohol to clean any moisture areas. Just make sure you back up your iPhone regularly via iCloud or iTunes to avoid losing any data if something happens later.
If it’s completely dead, you’ll get your data back from iCloud if that's how you backed it up. You can also use iTunes on your PC to do a backup if you're in trouble.
Acting fast is key! If you didn't see water near any circuits, that's a good sign. To be safe, rinse it with isopropyl alcohol and let it dry in front of a fan. Back it up to iCloud or iTunes as soon as you can. Liquid damage can be tricky!
Why's coffee or milk worse for phones?
No, there wasn't visible water on the circuits, thankfully! Rinsing with isopropyl sounds good; thanks!
I thought water resistance was just from glue; thanks for clarifying!