Hey everyone, I recently took my iPhone 16 Pro for a little underwater adventure in the sea. It was only in about 30 cm of water for a few minutes with breaks in between. Now I'm a bit concerned because I learned Apple doesn't recommend using it underwater, especially in salt water. Right after realizing this, I powered it off and haven't charged it or done anything else. What steps should I take now to minimize any potential damage? Should I rinse it with fresh water? Do I need to take it to a repair shop right away, or would it be wise to let it air dry for a few days first? Thanks for any tips or experiences you can share!
3 Answers
If you're worried, put it in a container with silica gel packets for a few days. Just ensure you rinse the phone with distilled water first, as regular tap water can still have minerals that may cause damage. Pro tip: don’t forget to clean the charging port well since that's often where the issues start!
Honestly, rinsing it sounds like the best plan. I once soaked my phone in a saltwater hot tub for a while and it worked fine after rinsing it off, so you should be okay!
You definitely should rinse it with fresh water. If you leave the salt water to dry, it can cause corrosion in the charging port. Make sure you do a thorough rinse to avoid any leftover residue.

I think what you're suggesting is good, but remember that while getting rid of moisture is important, you also need to flush out any impurities from the salt water, or they'll cause issues later!