Newer iPhone® models are water-resistant, but even with these technological breakthroughs, they’re not waterproof. If yours is left submerged in water long enough, it will start to malfunction. Luckily, the iPhone is well-made and resilient, which is why there’s still a good chance that you could save it in such a situation. Before taking it to the shop for iPhone repair, follow these first-aid steps.

What to Do if Your iPhone Gets Submerged in Water

1. Turn the Device Off

Your iPhone could short-circuit if it continues to run after falling into a swimming pool, toilet bowl, or body of water. This could lead to irreversible damage that an iPhone repair technician can’t fix. If your phone was switched on after falling in water, try to recover it as quickly as possible and immediately shut it down.

2. Wipe Away Excess Moisture

After safely shutting down your wet phone, wipe off the excess water. If it has a case and screen protector, remove them, as they can trap moisture.

Use a clean, absorbent cloth to get rid of the liquid. Focus on areas where water may be stuck, such as switches, ports, and SIM card slot, but be mindful not to swipe moisture further into the device. Don’t forget to pull out the SIM card tray, then gently shake your phone to dislodge any trapped water.

3. Dry It Out

After getting rid of as much water as you can from your iPhone’s exterior, it’s time to focus on what’s inside. You may be tempted to use a hair dryer or leave it on the radiator to dry out the remaining moisture. However, doing so may cause the water to condense, increasing the likelihood of further internal damage.

Instead, cover your damp device with silica gel packets. Put everything in a box and keep it covered for a minimum of 48 hours; anything shorter than this period will likely be ineffective. During this time, the desiccant will absorb any moisture left inside the device. An alternative to silica gel is uncooked rice—use the same method, but you may have to deal with leftover dust from the grains.

If the above steps fail, get help from an iPhone repair technician at Experimax Portsmouth. Located in Rockingham County, NH, they offer an extensive range of services focusing on Apple® products, such as computer repair, data recovery, and virus removal. Call (603) 501-0410 to book an appointment for iPhone repair or visit the website to explore their inventory of pre-owned Apple devices.