Frequently asked questions
My iPhone fell in water — what should I do in the first minute?
Retrieve the phone and unplug any cable. Power it off if you can do so quickly. Wipe the outside with a lint-free cloth and tap it gently against your palm with the speaker facing down to drain droplets. Don't charge it, don't use a hair dryer, and don't put it in rice. Stand it upright to air-dry.
Is my iPhone waterproof?
Recent iPhones (XS and later) are rated IP67 or IP68 — water-resistant, not waterproof. They can survive short submersion in fresh water, but the rating degrades over time as seals age, and Apple's warranty doesn't cover liquid damage regardless of rating. Treat the rating as a safety margin, not a license to swim with your phone.
Should I turn my iPhone off after it gets wet?
Yes, if you can do it quickly. Powering off reduces the chance of short circuits while water is inside. Don't spend minutes trying to force it off if it's being unresponsive — just disconnect any cables and focus on drying the exterior, then let it air-dry upright.
How long before I can use my iPhone again after it's been in water?
Apple recommends at least 5 hours before charging with a cable, and up to 24 hours before assuming the phone is fully dry. You can use wireless charging sooner. For audio, you can run a water-eject tone almost immediately — it helps drying and doesn't require the phone to be dry first.
Is iPhone water damage covered by warranty or AppleCare?
Apple's standard one-year warranty does not cover liquid damage. AppleCare+ covers accidental damage, including liquid, for a service fee (lower than out-of-warranty repair). Every iPhone has a Liquid Contact Indicator that turns red when exposed, so Apple can tell. Check coverage before booking service.