How To Get Water Out of iPhone Camera (5 Best Methods)

Wondering how to get water out of an iPhone camera? This guide is for you.

Whether you dropped your phone while trying to take the ultimate beach selfie (oops!) or your toddler threw it into the toilet (ugh, not again!), getting water in your iPhone camera can leave it foggy and out of focus.

Luckily, there are ways to get water out of your iPhone camera that will return it to its full capacity.

We’ll take you through several methods, step-by-step, so you can remove moisture and condensation inside your phone without damaging its components.

Let’s get into it.

What To Do Immediately if You Get Water in Your iPhone Camera

Here’s a step-by-step guide to what you should do immediately if you find that moisture or water is affecting your iPhone camera lens:

1. Turn Off the Device. Before anything else, power off your iPhone. Doing this reduces the risk of electrical short circuits that can cause irreversible damage to your iPhone’s internal components.

2. Wipe Away Visible Water. Using a soft, lint-free cloth, gently dab and wipe away any water you can see. Ensure you don’t press too hard, as this could potentially push water further into the device.

3. Keep the Phone Upright. Placing the iPhone in an upright position can prevent water from traveling deeper into the phone or towards other sensitive areas.

4. Avoid Using Heat. It’s tempting to use hairdryers or other heat sources to dry your phone out faster, but this can be detrimental. Intense heat can warp components, melt adhesives, and further seal in moisture in areas where it might otherwise evaporate.

5. Resist the Urge to Shake Your Phone. Shaking the iPhone can inadvertently move water to undamaged parts of the phone, spreading the potential risk. Instead, keep the phone stationary and upright.

6. Remove the SIM Card and Case. If you have a protective case on your iPhone, remove it. Additionally, using the SIM card removal tool (or a paperclip), gently eject the SIM card tray and leave it out. This creates a small outlet for moisture to escape and allows for better air circulation around the device.

7. Place the iPhone in a Dry Environment: Place your iPhone in a dry, well-ventilated place. This assists the evaporation process. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can overheat the device.

8. Avoid Charging. Don’t attempt to charge your iPhone until you’re certain all moisture has evaporated. Charging a damp device increases the risk of a short circuit.

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How To Tell if Your iPhone Has Water Damage

 

So, your beloved device had a brief rendezvous with water. Let’s see if your iPhone has actually been water-damaged.

• Foggy Camera: It’s not your eyes or a dreamy Instagram filter – if your camera lens looks foggy, that’s moisture.
• Unresponsive Screen: If your iPhone screen is behaving like it just had three cups of coffee (jittery, unresponsive, or outright odd), water might be the culprit.
• Muffled Sound: If your music sounds like it’s coming from a tin can or your calls sound like deep-sea communications, you might want to inspect further.

Water Spots vs. Internal Moisture

• Water Spots: These are just droplets on the exterior of your camera’s lens, and a quick wipe usually gets rid of them.
• Internal Moisture: If you’ve wiped your phone and there’s still a cloud inside your camera or screen, you’ve got moisture lurking within. You’ll need to try one of the methods below.

How To Get Water Out of iPhone Camera: 5 Methods

If there’s moisture inside your iPhone, you have several possible solutions. You may need to try more than one depending on the model of your phone and how much moisture there is.

Method 1: Rice to Suck Water from iPhone Camera Lens

You’ve probably heard of using uncooked rice to get moisture out of your iPhone camera. It sounds pretty weird, but it does work – the rice draws the moisture out.

In fact, if you do a search for ‘how to get water out of iPhone camera’ on Google, this is the most commonly reported method.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Power Down and Disconnect: Before anything else, turn off your device. If it’s an iPhone, also remove the SIM card and eject the SIM tray.
2. Give It a Gentle Wipe: Using a soft, lint-free cloth, wipe down the exterior of your device to remove any visible droplets or moisture.
3. Bag or Bowl it Up: Get a large sealable plastic bag or a bowl. Fill it about halfway with uncooked rice. This will act as a moisture magnet. (Hint: Make sure the rice is the regular kind, not the “quick cook” variety.)
4. Nestle Your Device: Gently place your device deep into the rice, ensuring it’s fully surrounded. If using a bag, try to push out as much air as possible before sealing. If using a bowl, consider covering it with a cloth or a lid, but make sure there’s some space for air circulation.
5. The Waiting Game: Let your device sit in the rice for at least 24-48 hours. The longer, the better. This gives the rice ample time to draw out the moisture. Patience is key!
6. Check On It: After the wait, gently remove your device from the rice. Shake out any grains that might’ve found their way into ports or crevices.
7. Power Up: Once you’re sure all visible moisture has been drawn out and there are no rice grains stuck anywhere, turn your device back on.
8. Keep an Eye Out: Monitor your device’s functionality for the next few days. If there are any hiccups, glitches, or you notice any leftover moisture, it might be time to consult with a professional.

The rice method is handy, but it comes with some caveats. Rice grains or dust from the rice can get trapped inside your phone’s ports, so do be careful. Alternatively, consider method 2.

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Method 2: Silica Gel to Dry Camera Lens

Silica gel packets are the tiny white packets you often find in new shoeboxes, purses, and electronic packaging. These are desiccants specifically designed to absorb moisture.

When it comes to getting rid of unwanted moisture, silica gel is more efficient than rice. Plus, there’s no risk of tiny particles lodging in your device.

If you want to learn how to get water out of iPhone camera, follow these steps to use silica gel to dry out your device.

1. Safety First: Before anything, make sure your device is powered off. If it’s an iPhone, eject the SIM card and tray too.
2. Dry the Exterior: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently dab away any visible moisture from your device.
3. Prep Your Container: Take a zip-lock bag or an airtight container. For an iPhone-sized device, you’d need several silica gel packets, ideally around 5-10. If you don’t have that many on hand, try to use as many as you can.
4. Position Your Device: Lay a few silica gel packets at the bottom of the container, place your device on top, then cover the device with more packets.
5. Seal It: Close the zip-lock bag or container, ensuring a tight seal. This traps the moisture-absorbing environment around your device.
6. Time is of the Essence: Let your device rest with the silica gel packets for at least 24-48 hours. The more time you give, the better.
7. Recovery Time: After waiting, remove your device, dispose of the used silica gel packets, and power on your device.
8. Monitor: Keep an eye on your device’s functions. If it behaves oddly or shows signs of leftover moisture, professional consultation might be in order.

Remember to keep silica gel packets away from pets and children, and don’t reuse them for another drying mission. Once they’ve done their job, their moisture-absorbing capacity is greatly reduced.

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Method 3: Take the iPhone Apart

Embarking on a mission to dismantle your iPhone is not for the faint-hearted. But if you’re feeling a little tech-savvy and want to be proactive in addressing water damage, this method might be for you.

Things to consider beforehand:

• Voiding Warranty: Disassembling your phone might void its warranty. If your device is still under warranty, consider consulting with the manufacturer or an authorized service provider first.
• Potential Damage: There’s always a risk of causing more harm than good. Small components can easily be damaged, lost, or incorrectly reassembled.
• Tools: You’ll need specialized tools, like a set of tiny screwdrivers and spudgers, to open up an iPhone. Most iPhones are held together by proprietary screws.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Turn Off Your iPhone: Ensure it’s powered down completely.
2. Get a Work Space: Find a clean, well-lit, and organized workspace. Consider laying down a white cloth or paper, so you can clearly see and organize the tiny screws and parts.
3. Remove the Screws: Using a specialized screwdriver, remove the screws flanking the charging port. Keep them in a safe place; they’re easy to lose!
4. Open the iPhone: Using a plastic spudger or a suction handle, carefully separate the display from the back. This step requires patience and gentle prying.
5. Disconnect the Battery: Before touching anything else, locate and disconnect the battery. This step minimizes the risk of short-circuiting components.
6. Inspect and Dry: With the phone open, inspect for visible signs of moisture. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to dab away any visible droplets. If there’s extensive moisture, you might consider leaving the phone open in a dry environment for several hours.
7. Reassemble: After ensuring the internals are dry, carefully reassemble the phone in reverse order. Make sure every part goes back where it belongs and that all connectors snap firmly into place.

Words of Caution:

• Always be gentle. Forcing components can lead to permanent damage.
• Remember the order in which you remove parts. Snapping a photo at each stage of disassembly can be a handy reference.
• If you feel unsure at any point, consider seeking professional help.

While taking the phone apart offers a direct approach to addressing water damage, it’s a method riddled with risks. It’s best suited for those familiar with electronics or those with a daring DIY spirit.

If your phone is dear to you (and let’s face it, when is it not?), think twice before going down this route, and consider professional assistance as a safer alternative.

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Method 4: Air It Out

Sometimes, simply letting your phone air out can be an effective solution, especially if it wasn’t submerged or drenched.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Power Down: Turn off your iPhone.
2. Open Spots: Remove the SIM tray to allow more air circulation.
3. Let it Sit: Place the iPhone in a dry, well-ventilated place for 24-48 hours. Do not place it under direct sunlight as this can damage the screen and other components.

Method 5: Visit a Repair Shop or Apple Store

If you’re unsure about handling the water damage yourself or have tried methods that haven’t worked, seek professional help. Try taking it to an Apple Store or an authorized repair shop.

1. Assessment: Bring your iPhone to professional repair service. They can assess the extent of the damage.
2. Professional Equipment: Many service providers have specialized equipment like ultrasonic cleaners that can address water damage more effectively than home remedies.

This may be the obvious solution of how to get water out of iPhone camera, but it’s usually the best.

However, liquid damage is not covered under warranty, but you might have rights under consumer law.

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Variations for Different iPhone Models

Apple’s iPhones have evolved significantly over various generations, and the design of the camera assembly is always changing.

While the general process of removing water from an iPhone camera can be consistent across different models, there are nuances to each device.

Always refer to the specific user manual for your iPhone model, as it might contain unique instructions or warnings.

iPhone 6 and Earlier Models

For the iPhone 6 series and earlier models, the water resistance features are minimal, so the risk of water intrusion into the camera is higher.

If you encounter water inside the iPhone camera of these models, it’s advisable to seek professional help at a repair shop, as the internal components are more susceptible to water damage.

iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 Series

Beginning with the iPhone 7, Apple introduced enhanced water resistance. These models have better sealing but may still experience water intrusion in the camera.

Try the methods above, such as using silica gel or uncooked rice. However, prolonged exposure to water might still require professional servicing.

iPhone X to iPhone 12 Series

These models feature even more advanced water and dust resistance technologies. While it’s less common for water to enter the iPhone camera assembly, it’s not impossible.

Follow the same guidelines for drying, but be cautious as these models contain more complex camera systems, making DIY repairs riskier.

iPhone 13 and Later Models

The latest iPhone models have continued to improve water resistance, but occasional incidents may still occur.

Given the sophisticated camera technology in these devices, attempting to remove the water yourself might cause further damage.

Consulting a certified Apple technician is probably your best bet here.

How to Avoid iPhone Water Damage in the Future

Which iPhone models are water-resistant?

Here’s a table showing the water resistance ratings of some popular iPhone models:

iPhone Model	Water Resistance Rating
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus	IP67 – up to 1m for 30 min
iPhone 8 and 8 Plus	IP67 – up to 1m for 30 min
iPhone X	IP67 – up to 1m for 30 min
iPhone XR	IP67 – up to 1m for 30 min
iPhone XS and XS Max	IP68 – up to 2m for 30 min
iPhone 11	IP68 – up to 2m for 30 min
iPhone 11 Pro & Pro Max	IP68 – up to 4m for 30 min
iPhone SE (2nd gen)	IP67 – up to 1m for 30 min
iPhone 12 Mini, 12, 12 Pro & 12 Pro Max	IP68 – up to 6m for 30 min
iPhone 13 & 13 Pro/Pro Max/Mini	IP68 – up to 6m for 30 min
iPhone 14 & 14 Pro/Pro Max/Mini	IP68 – up to 6m for 30 min

Check this Apple support doc for more details.

How To Get Water Out of iPhone Camera FAQs

Is the iPhone camera waterproof?

No, the iPhone camera isn’t waterproof, but many newer iPhone models are water-resistant to certain depths and durations.

Will condensation in the iphone camera go away on its own?

Condensation in your iPhone camera might disappear on its own, depending on the amount and environment, but it’s best to address it promptly to prevent potential damage. See the steps above.

How long does it take for moisture to get out of iphone camera?

Typically, 24-48 hours in a dry environment, but it can vary based on the extent of moisture.

How to get water out of your phone camera without rice?

You can use other desiccant materials like silica gel packs, leave it to air out, or take your phone to a repair shop for professional assistance.

Will Face ID work after water damage?

It might, but water damage can affect Face ID components. If issues arise, seek professional help.