How to Get Water Out of Charging Port on iPhone

Wondering how to get water out of the iPhone charging port? It is a common issue if your device gets wet, and plugging it in too soon can trigger alerts like “Liquid Detected” or “Charging Not Available.”

These warnings are built-in safety features that stop your iPhone from charging until it is completely dry.

The good news is, there are simple and safe steps you can follow to dry the charging port and get your iPhone back to normal.

How to get water out of the iPhone charging port?

1. Do not charge immediately. Wait at least 24 hours.
2. If the Liquid Detected alert appears, unplug the charger right away.
3. Hold your iPhone with the charging port facing down and tap it gently on your palm to drain water.
4. Pat the port dry with a microfiber cloth.
5. Leave the iPhone in a dry, ventilated area.
6. Use silica gel packets to absorb moisture (do not use rice).

How to check an iPhone for Liquid Damage?

In case you want to check if your iPhone has come in contact with water, you must check the LCI (Liquid Contact Indicator). It is present within the cavity of the SIM tray. All you have to do is eject the SIM tray and look inside the cavity. If you see a red/orange line within, it means that your iPhone has come in contact with water or other liquid. 

Also, since most recent iPhones have an IP (ingress protection) rating, many of us assume that the iPhone is waterproof. Unfortunately, an IP rating only means that your iPhone is water-resistant, and that too only to a certain extent. Therefore, please avoid submerging your iPhone in water. 

Note: Apple doesn’t cover liquid damage to the iPhone even in the One-Year Limited Warranty period.   

How to fix the Liquid Detected alert in Windows?

1. Unplug the cable

1.1 Disconnect everything

1. Remove the charging cable from your iPhone.
2. Unplug the cable from the power adaptor.
3. Unplug the power adaptor from the wall outlet.

1.2 Wait a few minutes

1. Leave everything unplugged for a short while.
2. This helps reset any temporary glitches that may trigger the alert.

1.3 Reconnect the setup

1. Plug the adaptor back into the wall outlet.
2. Connect the cable to the adaptor and then to your iPhone.
3. Check if the alert disappears.

1.4 Try a different cable and adaptor

1. If the issue continues, switch to another charging cable and adaptor.
2. Many users report that a faulty cable or adaptor often causes the “Liquid Detected” alert.

1.5 Use official accessories

1. Non-certified cables can cause errors, even if no liquid is present.
2. Always use Apple-certified (MFi) accessories for reliable charging.

2. Force restart the iPhone

If a temporary bug is the reason your iPhone is displaying the “Liquid Detected” or “Charging Not Available” alert, you must force restart or hard reset your iPhone. 

Steps to Force Restart (iPhone 8, iPhone SE 2nd Gen, iPhone X and above) 

1. Press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Next, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. 
4. As soon as you see the Apple logo, release the Side button.

Steps to Force Restart iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus

• Press and hold the Volume down and Side buttons simultaneously. Release the buttons once the Apple logo appears. 

Steps to Force Restart iPhone 6s or below 

• Press and hold the Side and Home buttons simultaneously. Release the buttons once the Apple logo appears. 

3. Wirelessly charge the iPhone

The “Liquid Detected” or “Charging Not Available” alert prevents wired charging. However, most recent iPhones support wireless charging, and you can charge your iPhone wirelessly. But before you do that, please make sure you dry your iPhone completely. Also, avoid using third-party and non-MFi-certified wireless chargers. 

4. Update iOS

Users often encounter the “Liquid Detected” or “Charging Not Available” due to software bugs. A buggy iOS version might be the reason your iPhone displays the liquid detected alert. Therefore, updating iOS to the latest version can help fix the liquid detection alert on your iPhone. 

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to the General option.
3. Tap the Software Update option on the next screen. 
4. Here, tap the Install Now or Update Now button to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.
5. Enter your device’s passcode to continue. 

5. Contact Apple Support

If none of the steps above help fix the issue, the last option is to contact Apple Support. Or, you can also visit the nearest official Apple store and get your iPhone inspected by the employees at the Genius Bar. 

Remember, liquid-damaged iPhones are not covered under Apple’s One-Year Limited Warranty. However, since hardware failure can also be the reason for this issue, certified technicians might be able to help you better. 

Tips

• Unplug your iPhone immediately if you see the “Liquid Detected” or “Charging Not Available” alert.
• Inspect the cable and adaptor, as many alerts are caused by faulty accessories rather than liquid.
• Use only Apple-certified or MFi accessories to avoid false alerts.
• If your iPhone got wet, let it dry for at least 24 hours before charging.
• Avoid rice or heat for drying. Silica gel packets and airflow are safer options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

1. Unplug the charging cable, adaptor, and power outlet.
2. Wait a few minutes and reconnect.
3. Try a different cable and adaptor if the alert remains.
4. Use certified accessories for reliable charging.
5. Let your iPhone dry completely if liquid exposure occurred.

Conclusion

The “Liquid Detected” alert is meant to protect your iPhone from short circuits and corrosion. In many cases, the issue is simply a faulty cable or adaptor, which can be solved by replacing them with certified ones. If the alert appears due to moisture, drying your iPhone thoroughly is the safest solution. Taking these precautions ensures your device stays safe and continues to charge properly.