Speaker Cleaner · Updated 3 November 2026
iPhone dropped in water, what should I do first?
Get the iPhone out, unplug every cable, and do not put it in rice. Apple's steps are to tap the phone gently with the connector facing down, wipe it with a soft cloth, and leave it somewhere dry with airflow before you charge it with a cable.
What to do
The first minute is about getting liquid off the phone and keeping a cable out of a wet port. Speaker tricks come later, and only for the grille.
- Take it out and power is not the priority If it is still on, you can leave it on. Do not plug it into a charger. Unplug it if a cable is already in.
- Shake out what you can, gently Tap the iPhone against your hand with the Lightning or USB-C connector facing down. Wipe the outside with a soft, lint-free cloth. Take off the case.
- Leave it alone in moving air A dry room, and optionally a fan of cool air aimed at the connector, is what Apple recommends. Allow at least five hours before a cable charge. If you see the liquid-detection alert, it can take up to 24 hours to clear. Wireless charging is possible once the back is dry.
- Only then think about the speaker If the speaker sounds full of water after the outside is dry, a short low tone with the grille facing down may help drops in the mesh. It does not dry the logic board.
What not to do
- Do not put it in rice. Apple's liquid-detection page says rice particles can damage the iPhone.
- Do not use a hair dryer, an oven, or compressed air.
- Do not put cotton, paper, or a toothpick in the port.
- Do not open the phone yourself to 'let it dry.'
Where Speaker Cleaner helps
Speaker Cleaner is relevant only for the speaker grille, after you have started drying the phone. It is not the first step, and it is not a rescue for a phone that was submerged. View Speaker Cleaner on the App Store
Other ways
Apple's own steps, and nothing else
For most splashes this is the whole plan: connector down, cloth, airflow, time, no rice.
A repair if it does not come back
Submersion, salt water, and sugary drinks are harder on a phone than a raindrop. Drying may not be enough.
Questions people ask
Should I turn it off?
Apple's wet-iPhone page does not tell you to power it off. It tells you not to charge it with a cable until it is dry. If it is off already, leave it off while it dries.
My phone is 'water resistant.' Can I ignore this?
No. Apple says water resistance is not permanent and is not a warranty for liquid damage. Resistance also drops after drops and wear.
The screen is flickering. Is that the speaker?
No. Flicker, a hot phone, or a phone that will not start is beyond a speaker tone. Let it dry, then get it checked if it does not recover.
How do I know it is dry enough to charge?
Apple's bar for a cable is at least five hours, and longer if the liquid alert returns. There is no app that can certify the port is dry.