Guide
Water in the charging port: what to do
Water in the port can corrode the connector pins. This page lists what phone makers say to do. It also explains why the water eject tone does not dry the port.
- Unplug the cable. Do not charge with a cable yet.
- Tap the phone gently against your hand with the connector facing down.
- Dry the phone in a dry place with airflow. Do not use heat or compressed air.
Wait at least 5 hours before you charge with a cable. This is Apple's rule for a wet iPhone. Apple's liquid-alert page allows a first try after 30 minutes if no alert shows. Waiting longer is safer. Sources: 12
The liquid-detection alert on iPhone
An iPhone can show a liquid-detection alert when it finds liquid in the connector. Apple gives these steps.
- Unplug the cable. Apple says the pins on the connector or cable can corrode and cause permanent damage if you charge while wet. 1
- Tap the iPhone gently against your hand with the connector facing down. This removes excess liquid. 1
- Leave the iPhone in a dry area with some airflow. Apple says this can take up to a day. 1
- After at least 30 minutes, try a cable. If the alert comes back, dry the phone again. 1
- Do not push a cotton swab or a paper towel into the connector. Do not use an external heat source or compressed air. 12
Apple also describes an option to override the alert in an emergency. Use it only in a real emergency. Sources: 1
The water eject tone does not dry the port
iFixit tested a tone video on four phones for The Verge. The phones pushed out droplets near the speaker. The test found that the tone did not clear the USB port or the SIM slot.
Use the tone only for the speaker grille. It does not dry the charging port.
Sources: 5
Speaker only: Water eject tone
When to get help
- The liquid alert is still on after a full day of drying.
- The phone does not charge after it dries.
- The liquid was salt water. Samsung UK says to rinse salt water off with fresh water and dry the phone well with a soft cloth. Do not charge it. Then ask the maker or a repair shop.
General advice: if the liquid was not fresh water, or the phone was under water, ask the maker or a repair shop before you charge. Sources: 4
Next: use the wet phone checklist for a drying timer. Read the wet phone first aid guide for the full first hour.
How to dry water in the charging port
Apple says water in the port can affect speaker or microphone performance until it completely evaporates. So the port can dry on its own with time and airflow.
Apple says to leave the iPhone in a dry area with some airflow. This can take up to a day. If no alert shows, you can try a cable after at least 30 minutes. Apple's rule for a wet iPhone is at least 5 hours before you charge with a cable.
Why does my phone say liquid detected or moisture detected?
Apple says an iPhone shows the liquid-detection alert when it finds liquid in the connector. If the alert comes back when you try a cable, dry the phone again.
General advice: some Android phones, including Samsung phones, show a moisture warning in a similar way. Do not charge with a cable while the warning shows. Ask the maker how to clear it.
Sources: 1
How much does a port repair cost?
The cost varies by phone model, by maker, and by repair shop. We have no price data, so we give no price. Ask the maker or a repair shop for a quote.
Google says water damage is not covered by warranty. Ask before you pay for a repair.
Sources: 3
Lightning or USB-C: the same steps
Apple's pages cover both connector types. They say to try charging with a Lightning or USB-C cable only after the phone is dry. The steps are the same for a Lightning port and a USB-C port: unplug, tap with the connector facing down, and dry in airflow.
General advice: most Android phones have a USB-C port. No maker gives a different rule for it. Use the same steps and the maker's wait advice above.
Can I use a wireless charger?
Yes, once the back of the phone is dry. Apple says wireless charging is fine at that point. This is useful when you want to charge the battery and the charging port still needs time to dry.
General advice: wipe the phone and the charging pad before you put the phone on it. Do not use a wireless charger while the back of the phone is wet.
Sources: 1
Why not a hair dryer?
Apple says not to use an external heat source or compressed air to dry an iPhone. A hair dryer is an external heat source. Samsung also says to avoid heat.
General advice: hot or fast air can push water further into the port. Use a dry place with some airflow, such as the open air in a room.
How long does it take to dry?
Apple says to leave the iPhone in a dry area with some airflow for up to a day. Apple's liquid-alert page allows a first try with a charging cable after at least 30 minutes. Apple's rule for a wet iPhone is at least 5 hours before you charge with a cable. Waiting longer is safer.
Android makers give no single drying time. Google says to let the phone dry at room temperature. If the phone still shows a warning, dry it again and wait before you try the charger.
Why charging a wet port is risky
Apple says the pins on the connector or the cable can corrode and cause permanent damage if you charge while they are wet. Corrosion is the main risk that Apple names.
General advice: water can also connect two metal contacts that must stay apart. This can cause a short circuit. A short circuit can stop the phone from charging and can damage parts. This is another reason to keep the plug out until the port is dry.
Apple says the iPhone uses liquid detection to find liquid in the connector. The alert exists to stop you from charging a wet port.
Sources: 1
My phone is not charging after water
First, check that the phone shows no liquid alert or moisture warning. If a warning shows, unplug the cable and dry the phone again. Apple gives this step for the iPhone.
General advice: look into the port with a light. Lint or debris in the port can also stop a cable from fitting. Do not push a metal object, a cotton swab or a paper towel into the port. Apple says not to push a cotton swab or a paper towel into the connector.
If the phone does not charge after it dries, ask the maker or a repair shop. Water exposure can harm parts that you cannot see.
Sources: 1
The port looks dry but the alert stays
General advice: a port can look dry and still hold a little moisture inside. The moisture sensor reacts to liquid you cannot see.
Apple says that if the alert comes back when you try a cable, you dry the iPhone again. Leave it in a dry area with some airflow for up to a day. Do not use the emergency override only because you are in a hurry.
Sources: 1
Sources
- If you see a liquid-detection alert on your iPhone - Apple Support (102643)
- About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone 7 and later - Apple Support (HT207043)
- Help prevent water damage to your Pixel phone - Google Pixel Help
- Troubleshooting speaker and sound issues on a Samsung Galaxy device - Samsung UK
- Can a YouTube video really fix your wet phone? - The Verge, Aug 2024 (iFixit dye test)