How to get water out of the charging port? A complete guide.

Table of Contents

What you should know:

This guide will show you how to get water out of the charging port on your iPhone
How to check to see if you have water damage in your iPhone
Steps to take to dry your iPhone

Introduction

In this guide we will show you how to get water out of the charging port on your iPhone. Getting water in the charging port on your phone is a common problem and can be a real nightmare, leading to a cascade of problems and potentially costly repairs.

If you accidentally got water in your charging port or are worried about the possibility, read on! This guide will walk you through identifying signs of water damage, what steps you should take to dry your charging port, and crucial things to avoid during the process.

What are some of the signs of water damage in the charging port?

Here are the things to look out for if you get your iPhone wet:

Your iPhone may show a liquid detection error message. The message will say “Liquid detected in lightening connector”.
Your iPhone may show a message saying that charging is not available. This message will indicate you should let your phone dry for several hours before charging will be permitted. We advise against overriding this error message due to the possibility of causing permanent damage to your phone.
Non-responsive touch screen. When water gets in your phone it may cause your phone screen to not recognize your hand gestures and your phone will act erratically.
Flickering or distorted Display. Water damage can also cause your screen to flicker, distort images, and fog up.
Poor or no audio output. Water damage can distort audio from the speaker ranging from being muffled to dropping out completely.
Constant overheating. If water comes in contact with the lithium battery, this can cause it to malfunction and the phone may overheat and shutdown
Unexpected shutdowns. The device might turn off without any warning.

How should I dry the charging port on my iPhone?

If you believe water has entered your charging port, here’s a step-by-step method to mitigate potential damage:

Step 1: Turn off phone immediately. Power down your phone and do not attempt to charge! Charging your phone while the charging port is wet can cause permanent damage including creating a short circuit, shock, or possible fire.
Step 2: Dry with a lint-free cloth. Use a lint free cloth to dry the outside of your iPhone while carefully wiping away any obvious water.
Step 3: Keep port facing down. This will allow water to drip out of the phone and prevent water from moving further into the phone and possible damage other components.
Step 4: Let the device air dry. Allow the phone to air dry for several hours before attempting to charge. Pay attention to the warning indicating that there is water in the lightening port.
Step 5: Gently tap your phone. Tap against your hand with the charging port facing down, encouraging water to drip out.
Step 6: Place phone in front of a fan. You can try to use a fan (not a heater) to assist with the drying process.

Do not do these things when drying the charging port on your iPhone!

Do not charge! This is very dangerous as it can cause a short circuit, injury, or start a fire.
Do not use rice to assist with drying! Rice does not help with the drying process and can cause additional damage to your iPhone. Dust from rice can damage components. Instead, surround your phone with silica gel packets.
Do not insert objects into the charging port! Objects like cotton swabs, Q-Tips, toothpicks, or paper towels can push water deeper into the phone and cause damage to other components.
Do not use canned compressed air to dry the charging port! The force the air puts on the internal components can cause additional physical damage to your iPhone and push water further into the phone.
Keep away from hairdryers, heaters, and sunlight! The components inside your iPhone are very sensitive to extreme temperatures. Heat does speed up evaporation but it also can damage your iPhone.

How long does it take to dry the charging port on an iPhone?

Apple recommends allowing your iPhone to dry for at least 5 hours before attempting to charge your device. At that time you can attempt to charge your iPhone.

However, if there is still a liquid detection or charging disabled message you should continue to wait up to 24 hours. If there is still an issue contact Apple Support for professional assistance.

What are some potential issues if you do not properly dry the charging port on an iPhone?

If you do not allow your phone to properly dry after coming into contact with liquid you may experience some of the following issues:

Your phone can short circuit. Water can create a new path for electricity to flow through inside the phone and cause additional damage. The only way to confirm this type of damage is to have a professional examine the phone to fix the issue.
Corrosion and oxidation can permanently damage the lightening port on your iPhone. You may see residue build up inside the port over time. This corrosion can completely disable the lightening port and you will need to contact Apple support to get it repaired.
Intermittent charging issues and problems with other lightening port functions. You may experience intermittent issues charging your phone – one minute it’s charging and the next it’s not. You might also experience issues when using the port for other activities such as using wired headphones or linking to your Mac.
Issues with other parts of your iPhone. You might see issues with other parts of your iPhone including the display malfunctioning, volume control buttons not working, etc. These hardware issue will require a professional to resolve.

Conclusion

Water damage is one of the most common yet challenging issues that iPhone users face. Your iPhone’s charging port, though small, is a critical component, and any water intrusion can lead to a host of problems. By understanding the signs of water damage and following the recommended steps for drying, you can greatly mitigate potential damage. If you experience prolonged water exposure or see persistent issues even after drying, it’s essential to consult professional services.

Jim Blatt

Jim is an entrepreneur and technology enthusiast who has over 20 years of experience in the technology field. Over the course of his career he has held numerous tech leadership roles.

Currently, he owns Smarter Tech Talk, a platform he launched in September 2023, dedicated to offering detailed analyses of consumer technology and applications. With this venture he hopes to use his deep expertise and passion for technology to provide others practical advice and guide them through todays complex technology landscape.