iPhone water damage: what to do (and what not to do)
Dropped your iPhone in water? Act fast and avoid the classic mistakes. We explain what to do — and what not to do — with water damage.
Door The Phone Shopper
Gepubliceerd: 2026-02-11
Splash, there goes your iPhone
Dropped in the toilet, put through the washing machine, or straight off the jetty into the water. It happens to more people than you might think. is one of the most common causes of broken phones. And although Apple says the newer iPhones are water resistant, that is no guarantee that nothing will happen.
So my iPhone isn't waterproof?
Many people think their iPhone is waterproof because of its IP67 or IP68 rating. But that is not quite right. Apple deliberately uses the term water resistant, not waterproof. What most people don't know: the protection against water works via a nano coating on the inside of the device. This coating repels water and prevents moisture from reaching the electronics.
But this nano coating does not last forever. Daily use, temperature changes and wear gradually reduce the coating's effectiveness. Even a brand-new iPhone can be noticeably less protected against water after a year or two than it was on day one. Apple says so itself: water damage is not covered by the warranty.
What about a refurbished iPhone?
A refurbished iPhone has been opened for inspection, cleaning and any necessary repairs. As a result, the original nano coating is no longer fully intact. During our refurbishment process we apply a new nano coating, but the original factory seal cannot be replicated exactly.
What does this mean in practice? Your refurbished iPhone is splash resistant. A splash of water, some rain or a mishap with a drink? No problem, your device can handle that just fine. But submerging it in water, taking it into the shower or the swimming pool? We advise against it — for refurbished devices as well as for older new ones.
Step 1: Get it out immediately
Has your iPhone ended up in the water anyway? Every second counts. The longer your iPhone stays in the water, the greater the damage. Get it out right away.
Step 2: Turn it off
Press the side button immediately and switch it off. If the screen is still on, the temptation to quickly check your messages is strong — don't. Power and water are a bad combination. It can cause a short circuit on the logic board.
What NOT to do
There are plenty of myths about water damage. These are the biggest mistakes:
- Do NOT put it in a bag of rice. It barely helps. The starch particles can even get into the ports and cause additional damage.
- Do NOT use a hairdryer. The hot air can damage internal components and actually push moisture deeper into the device.
- Do NOT plug in a charger. If there is still moisture in the charging port, this can cause a short circuit.
- Do NOT shake the device. This spreads the water to places it hadn't reached yet.
What you SHOULD do
After switching it off: gently pat the device dry with a clean cloth. Remove the SIM tray so air can get in. Then place the device somewhere dry at room temperature. And bring it to us as soon as possible.
Water damage repair at The Phone Shopper
In our workshop in Nijverdal, we open the device, clean the logic board with a special fluid and check all components for corrosion damage. Sometimes the damage is minimal and everything works perfectly again after a thorough cleaning. In other cases, parts need to be replaced.
It all depends on how quickly you acted and how much water got in. The sooner you get to us, the better the chances that we can save your iPhone.
Water damage? Call us right away on 0548-549536 or drop by at Willem Alexanderstraat 11 in Nijverdal.
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