No one intends to drop their iPhone in a pool or fall off a boat with their iPhone in a pocket. But accidents happen. Happily, Apple has designed the iPhone with significant levels of splash and water resistance, so brief exposure to rain or even a quick dunk might not cause any problems. If your iPhone does get wet, follow our advice below to dry it out before calling for more help.

First, you’ll want to understand what you should worry about, which boils down to your phone’s IP rating and its age. All iPhones have an IP—Ingress Protection—rating that specifies what they should be able to handle when new. Current and recent iPhone models are rated at IP68, with the older iPhone 7, 8, XR, and second-generation SE models rated at IP67. The first digit specifies the protection against solid objects like dust, and the second against water. A rating of 6 for the first digit means the device is dust-tight—no dust can get in. For the second digit:

When we talk about IP67 and IP68 ratings, it’s important to understand their implications. The IP67 rating means that your iPhone is protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water under standardized conditions of time and pressure. On the other hand, an IP68 rating means that your iPhone can handle continuous immersion in water. However, the conditions under which the IP68 rating is awarded are specified by the manufacturer and must be more severe than rating 7.

Apple has been continuously improving the water resistance of iPhones over the years. The iPhone 11, XS, and XS Max, for example, are designed to withstand immersion at a maximum depth of 2 meters for up to 30 minutes. As for the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, their water resistance extends to 4 meters. Every newer model can handle the increased pressure of up to 6 meters. In other words, all should be able to survive a brief dip.

Don’t assume that your old iPhone XS is still as water-resistant as it once was. Water resistance is not a permanent condition and depends on factors like tight seals and gaskets. These components can weaken over time, especially with age, drops, disassembly, extreme temperatures, and exposure to substances like insect repellent and sunscreen. The older your iPhone is, the less likely it is to meet the criteria of its IP rating.

Enough theory! Let’s focus on what you should do if your iPhone gets wet. The necessary actions depend on the extent of the water exposure. Here’s what you should keep in mind for different scenarios:

If you have to use your iPhone in the rain or experience minor splashes, it’s difficult to keep water off the screen and case. However, these situations usually don’t pose a problem. To address this, simply dry the iPhone off with a cloth. It is advisable not to plug in a Lightning cable until the device has had sufficient time to dry out.

More concerning is when your iPhone takes a plunge in something other than clean, fresh water like coffee or juice. In such cases, it is recommended to first rinse the affected area with tap water. Then, dry it off with a cloth. Take caution not to plug in a charging cable until the iPhone has completely dried.

If your iPhone accidentally goes for a swim in water, despite its IP rating suggesting it can withstand up to 30 minutes of immersion, act quickly to minimize damage. Here are some dos and don’ts to follow:

Here are a couple of additional techniques you can try to minimize water damage to your iPhone:

The classic advice for water-damaged devices is to bury them in a container of uncooked rice for a day or two. The intention behind this technique is for the rice to absorb moisture from the iPhone. However, Apple advises against using rice because there’s a high likelihood of getting tiny bits of rice stuck in the Lightning port. If you still choose to use rice, protect the iPhone by wrapping it loosely in a paper towel before submerging it in the rice.

A better alternative to rice is using a sealed plastic bag containing silica gel desiccant packets, which are commonly found in vitamin bottles. These packets are inexpensive and readily available, and some can even be recharged in a microwave or oven. However, make sure you have these packets on hand, or you’ll have to resort back to the rice method.

If you notice that your iPhone’s speaker sounds muffled after water exposure, you can try an Apple Watch-like trick to eject the water. Visit the website “FixMySpeakers” and tap the button to play a particular sound. While this technique is clever and shouldn’t cause harm, it’s important to remember that if there’s water in the speakers, it’s likely present elsewhere in the device. As a result, it might be safer to turn off the iPhone quickly and let it dry naturally, as mentioned above.

It’s essential to note that Apple does not claim any sort of water resistance for iPads or MacBooks. If one of these devices gets wet, you can try following the same advice mentioned for iPhones. However, there’s a higher likelihood that a repair may be necessary.

Accidents happen, and getting your iPhone wet can be a stressful experience. Fortunately, Apple has designed their iPhones with varying levels of water resistance. Understanding your iPhone’s IP rating and following the recommended steps for drying your device can increase the chances of a successful recovery. Remember to always act quickly and avoid using any heat sources, compressed air, or foreign objects. By taking the proper precautions, you can mitigate water damage and potentially save your beloved iPhone.