Oops! I Dropped My iPhone in the Toilet! What Can I Do?

The average American drops their phone four times a week. 

Perhaps yours has slipped out of your hands and into the water, and not just any water. You dropped your iPhone in the toilet, and you want to know if — and how — you can fix it ASAP. 

The good news is, there are a few methods to try to restore your phone to its former functioning self. Here’s what to do.

Immediately After You Drop the iPhone in the Toilet…

You probably have already done so, but pull your phone out of the water as fast as you can. 

Your phone may have powered down when it hit the water. Do not try and turn it back on, as this can short-circuit the phone.

Don’t plug it into a charger, either. If, somehow, your phone was plugged in when it fell into the toilet, unplug it as gently and carefully as you can.

Next, get as much of the water out of your phone as possible. This may require you to take off the case and open the SIM compartment, as well. Check the charging port and any other divots where water might be able to gather. 

The biggest danger is that water will seep into your phone and damage its function. So, wipe down your device and, once it is turned off, give it a good shake to remove water hiding in these areas. 

Keep Your iPhone Off to Prevent Water Damage

Once you’ve completed all the initial steps in water damage prevention, you may be tempted to turn your phone right back on. Ignore this instinct, at least right away. 

If you turn your phone on and there’s still a bit of water in there, it can cause the phone to short-circuit. And this may be irreparable damage to your device, even if you seek out professional iPhone repair.

Perhaps your phone has managed to stay on, even after falling into the toilet. You have two options: you can leave it on and hope that you don’t get any notifications that will light up the screen. Or, you can power it down and hope that the brief moment of activity doesn’t cause the device to short-circuit.

Most experts suggest opting for the latter. If you’ve somehow managed to drop your phone while on airplane mode, that’s a fine option, too — no need to power it down while it dries.

Grab Some Uncooked Rice…

You may have heard of this DIY solution for fixing dry phones. If not, here’s the rundown on how dry rice can help save your water-damaged iPhone.

Rice is a desiccant, meaning it will pull the water out of your device. Pour some grains into a large bowl, then place your phone in the rice. Cover it completely, and leave it for 48 hours. 

Yes, being without your phone for two days is a big ask, especially in today’s tech-centric world. But leaving it with ample time to dry could be the difference between saving your phone and having to invest in a new one.

Just be sure to check your phone’s ports after you put it in rice for this stretch of time. The grains and dust can get in there, so you might have to clean your iPhone a second time once it’s done drying out. 

If you don’t have rice on hand, some people have had success in placing their phone in front of a fan for a long period of time, too. Just don’t use a hairdryer or any fan with heat. The high temperatures can cause internal damage to your phone, exactly the situation we’re trying to avoid by turning off your phone and leaving it to dry slowly.

…Or Grab a Few Packets of Silica Gel

Sneakerheads, you’re in luck — all of those empty shoeboxes may contain the ticket to fixing your water-logged iPhone. 

Those silica gel packets that you find in every shoebox are designed to keep your new footwear moisture-free as they travel from humid places. If you have enough of them to cover your iPhone, then you’ve got a much less messy way of pulling moisture out of your device. Leave them in place for 48 hours.

You can also purchase silica gel packets at craft stores, or you can check into shoe stores and purse shops to see if they have any of them laying around. It’s worth asking if you prefer to try out this method, which is cleaner and sometimes more efficient than rice.

After 48 Hours, Test Out Your Work

You’ve left your phone to dry in rice or surrounded by silica packets. All there’s left to do now is see if it will turn on. 

There’s no telling whether or not your handiwork will save your phone until you try turning it on. But the truth is, water can cause serious damage to your device. It is especially adept at ruining batteries. 

Keep in mind that, even if your phone turns on, it may still be damaged in ways you can’t see. So, make sure you back up your device regularly in case it goes kaput in the weeks or months after coming back to life. 

Get Expert Help if You Need It

Of course, if you’ve dropped your iPhone in the toilet, you have another option for fixing it — you can ask a professional for help. 

A pro can take the repair process one step further, expertly dismantling your device and checking for water and damage inside of your phone. They can fix it from there, or they can give you the unfortunate news that your phone is unfixable. In most cases, though, they’re able to do more to salvage your device than a bowl of rice can. 

So, if you’ve got a water damaged iPhone and need help, reach out to someone who can really help. We can repair Apple products and a slew of other smartphone brands, too. Contact us today to get started.