vkalland

Q: Stupid incident

I have an iPhone 5c, which I stupidly forgot to take out of my backpocket and it dropped to the toilet. Got it out in a matter of seconds, but had no idea what to do so I just checked to see if it was working. Relatively fine, everything worked and nothing was wrong, but didn't risk it so I turned it off. Later read the suggestion about rice so I did that... but I'm still not sure if I should place my bets that it will be okay just because it looked okay. Should I? And how long should I keep it there?

 

I know there's a water damage something in the sim card tray, but I couldn't seem to open it no matter how hard I tried so I can't check as of now...

iPhone 5c, iOS 9.3.5

Posted on Aug 30, 2016 2:13 PM

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Q: Stupid incident

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  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Aug 30, 2016 2:18 PM in response to vkalland
    Level 7 (24,018 points)
    Aug 30, 2016 2:18 PM in response to vkalland

    Leave it off and leave it in the bag of uncooked rice for at least a week to ten days or so.  Replace the rice with desiccant packs if you have them.  And it is still very likely that it will be damaged and need to be replaced, sorry to say.  All you can do is leave it off and try, but don't be surprised if you need to buy a replacement.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Aug 30, 2016 2:19 PM in response to vkalland
    Level 6 (15,699 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 30, 2016 2:19 PM in response to vkalland

    Unfortunately water and iPhones don't do well. Even if it works now, internal corrosion will set in. The best you can hope for is to leave in the rice for a week and then try to retrieve any data.

    Liquid damage to iPhone or iPod isn't covered by warranty - Apple Support

  • by stevejobsfan0123,

    stevejobsfan0123 stevejobsfan0123 Aug 30, 2016 2:21 PM in response to vkalland
    Level 8 (43,464 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 30, 2016 2:21 PM in response to vkalland

    As others have said, there is a very high probability you need to have the phone replaced. If that's the case, an out-of-warranty replacement is $269.

  • by vkalland,

    vkalland vkalland Aug 30, 2016 2:44 PM in response to Michael Black
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 30, 2016 2:44 PM in response to Michael Black

    Figured, but do you have an estimate how long I can go on with the phone before it should be replaced? Problems of a poor student...

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Aug 30, 2016 2:52 PM in response to vkalland
    Level 7 (24,018 points)
    Aug 30, 2016 2:52 PM in response to vkalland

    vkalland wrote:

     

    Figured, but do you have an estimate how long I can go on with the phone before it should be replaced? Problems of a poor student...

    No way of knowing.  Odds are it will either have issues the instant you do turn it back on, or will not come on at all, or will develop issues shortly after booting up.  As said, all you can do is leave it in the desiccant environment for at least 7-10 days, and then try it out.  Since it was on when it got wet, the odds are that damage was done the instant any water got onto anything energized inside it.