I accidentally dropped my iPhone 11 into a sink while it was running water for about three seconds. After quickly drying it off and playing a frequency to get water out of the speakers, I thought it was okay. However, when I tried to charge it, I got a warning about water in the charging port. I unplugged it right away but, unfortunately, I then plugged it back in a couple of times, which I worry may have damaged it further. Now the bottom corner of the screen has a black tint and it's flickering. I've taken the case off and removed the SIM card, but I can't find the liquid contact indicator. My biggest concern is saving my photos and videos that aren't backed up. I don't care if the phone ends up glitchy or the screen remains tinted, I just want to recover my camera roll and other important data. Should I power it off completely? It's currently at 3% battery, and I'm scared if I do, I might need to wait until it's fully dry to charge it again. I have some silica gel but I'm worried about using it because some of it is fine powder and could contaminate the phone.
2 Answers
The alert you saw was your phone's way of telling you to stop using it. If you’d let it dry, it might have been okay. I once had a similar issue after an accidental dip in the Gulf. I let mine dry out for a long time, and it worked fine afterward. If it’s still responsive, sync it to your PC ASAP!
If your phone is still functioning at all, I’d suggest upgrading your iCloud storage just for a month to back up those important photos and videos. It's essential to get those backed up right away. After you've secured your data, consider getting a new phone and restoring everything from the backup. It's a good reminder to be prepared for the unexpected!
You're right about the drying time! Using a small blower to bubble out water could also be effective. The dark tint suggests moisture behind the screen, so drying the charging port quickly and backing up to your PC is critical right now. Then, you can take it for repairs if needed.