iphone fell in sink of water - sadness - what to do?

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Level 1

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iphone fell in sink of water - sadness - what to do?

Hi

A week ago my iphone 3GS fell into a sink full of water. It was in there for a few seconds and I whipped it out.

It was still working when I took it out of the water but I turned it off straight away.

I wrapped it in my cardigan and dried it, shook it to get excess water out of it. I put it under a hand dryer for a few seconds.Then put it into a box of rice and placed the box in a warm place for a few days.

It looks to be totally dried out (no droplets on the camera lens) but now it won't turn on & it won't charge

Any ideas? I really miss it 😟

Posted on May 29, 2011 1:49 PM

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Answer 1

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wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

May 29, 2011 1:59 PM in response to Ammetyst

Looks like your battery is toast...one of the two most likely things that get fried when this happens, the other being your Logic Board(it could be fried as well). Apple has an out of warranty replacement program, cost is $199, or you could try a third-party repair shop in your area.

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Answer 2

Ammetyst Author

Level 1

4 points

May 29, 2011 3:21 PM in response to wjosten

What's the logic board?

So it might be repairable? That's great news. I didn't think apple would help since it's got wet.

Thanks so much

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Answer 3

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

May 29, 2011 3:24 PM in response to Ammetyst

Same thing as the Logic Board in your computer, contains processor, ram, etc. In my experience, 80% of the time the battery gets fried when an iPhone gets submerged. Next is the logic board. Go with the out of warranty replacement, you'll be glad you did.

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Answer 4

Ammetyst Author

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4 points

Jun 1, 2011 2:34 AM in response to wjosten

Turns out they don't offer an out of warranty replacement in Ireland so I'll have to just buy a new one. I enquired about getting the battery replaced but I was told once water gets into it the whole phone is ruined via corrosion. I might try and ge a battery off the internet and try it myself

Is there any way to get my contacts and messages out of the dead phone?

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Answer 5

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Jun 1, 2011 2:41 AM in response to Ammetyst

Ammetyst wrote:

I was told once water gets into it the whole phone is ruined via corrosion.

A good third-party repair facility usually has an 80% success rate in fixing phones like yours. Unless you have experience in dealing with micro electronics & the right equipment/tools, I'd suggest you go that route.

Ammetyst wrote:

Is there any way to get my contacts and messages out of the dead phone?

Sorry, no.

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Answer 6

Ammetyst Author

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4 points

Jun 1, 2011 2:56 AM in response to wjosten

ah right! I thought I was missing something there - wow what a disaster!

Thanks for all your help

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Answer 7

Ammetyst Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 5, 2011 7:27 AM in response to Ammetyst

Hey so today out of nowhere my iphone just powered up and was working perfectly but then when I tried to see if the sound was working by playing songs it froze, then the screen went white and now it won't do anything not even turn off. Does anyone know what this means or what would be the best thing to do?

I feel glad that obviously the battery is working and everything seems to be there when the phone is on but concerned at this new development

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Answer 8

cadplan

Level 1

26 points

Jun 5, 2011 8:33 AM in response to Ammetyst

if you synched it with Itunes on your Mac or possibly PC then your contacts will be there in address book.

If not and you can get it to switch on again connect to a Mac with the USB lead and sync it. I think you will need to log out of the Mac main user ID and create a new temporary one. It might just work.

AJ

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Answer 9

Ammetyst Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 5, 2011 9:38 AM in response to cadplan

Thanks I found the contacts by checking the windows address book - I was very excited. When it turned on that time all of my messages & notes were on the phone but I turned it off when the screen went white after I looked up a youtube video about "how to fix the iphone white screen of death" & now it won't turn back on

😟 Hopefully it will turn back on and get back to normal. I was so ecstatic when I seen it had power. The sleep and wake button must be kinda dodgy because it's hard to get it to turn on and off - maybe there's a knack to it that I've yet to perfect

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Answer 10

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jun 5, 2011 9:42 AM in response to Ammetyst

STOP turning it on & off, put it back in the bag of rice and leave for 7 days, you may get away with this but your chances go down every time you apply power, expect 7 days as a minimum!

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Answer 11

Ammetyst Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 5, 2011 9:47 AM in response to Csound1

Really? It's been off for two weeks now. Today was the first time it came on - do you think it still needs another 7 days?

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Answer 12

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jun 5, 2011 9:57 AM in response to Ammetyst

Yup, if it were mine I would wait 1 month, It takes a long time to reduce the moisture to a level where it can't bridge todays nanometer circuitry. Unless it is completely dry every power cycle is a risk.

If it helps I took my Canon Powershot swimming one day, 6 weeks later it came back to life, 6 months later corrosion killed it but replacements were cheaper by then.

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Answer 13

Jul 14, 2011 8:49 PM in response to Csound1

stop waiting so long... take it to the nearest apple store and say it doesnt work! if you rlucky they will be nice enought to just give you a new iphone!

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Answer 14

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jul 14, 2011 8:55 PM in response to Logan8r5000

Apple's warranty does not cover dropping your iPhone in water.

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