You washed your iPhone. Here's what to do right now.
Move fast, then be patient, in that order. The next minute matters, and then the hardest part is
leaving it alone. Here's the honest playbook: what the Liquid Detected alert actually means, why IP68 doesn't
save you here, and why rice isn't the answer.
Do this in the next 60 seconds
Don't try to charge it or force it on to check. If it's already off, leave it off. If it's on and shows a Liquid Detected alert, that's iPhone telling you not to plug it in yet.
Remove the case. Let water that's trapped between the case and the body escape instead of sitting against the seals.
Dry the outside gently. A soft cloth. Don't shake it hard, tap it on a surface, or blow compressed air into the ports, all of that can drive water deeper in.
Do NOT plug in a Lightning or USB-C cable. If Liquid Detected is showing, the phone is actively blocking the charge, respect that and wait.
Put it somewhere dry with moving air. Room temperature. Not a hairdryer, oven, or radiator, heat degrades the seals and battery.
Now the honest part, starting with the rating
IP68 doesn't cover a wash cycle. Apple's IP68 rating is tested in clean, still water for a defined time. A wash cycle adds hot water, detergent, and violent tumbling that exceed those conditions and can break down the seals over time. Here's exactly why a washer beats your phone's rating.
Rice is a myth, and Apple says so directly. Apple's own support guidance tells you not to put a wet iPhone in rice, because it doesn't dry the phone meaningfully faster and small grains and dust can work into the ports and speakers. Skip the pantry.
The Liquid Detected alert isn't a bug, it's protection. It blocks charging to prevent a short or corrosion. Let it clear on its own; forcing a charge, or drying the port with heat, can cause the exact damage the alert is trying to prevent.
Time beats every trick. Give it 24–48 hours untouched, longer if you can. Testing it early or charging to "just check" is the most common way people finish off a phone that might have dried out fine.
Water damage usually isn't covered by standard warranty. AppleCare+ generally covers liquid damage for a service fee; check your coverage before paying full price for a repair.
Your photos are probably fine, even if the phone isn't. If you use iCloud Photos or back up regularly, your
photos, contacts, and messages live in the cloud, not just on the device. Even a phone that won't power on can
often have its data recovered by Apple or a professional, so don't wipe it or throw it away until you've confirmed
what's backed up.
Save the steps before you need them again
Get the free one-page Wash Rescue Guide. The exact 60-second checklist for phones, plus what to do for AirPods, hearing aids, and watches. Keep it handy for next time (there's usually a next time).
No spam. We'll also let you know when WashDog launches.
Quick answers
What should I do if my iPhone was in the washing machine?
Don't turn it on or plug it in. Dry the outside, remove the case, and leave it somewhere dry with moving air for at least 24–48 hours. If you see a "Liquid Detected" alert, wait for it to clear before charging.
What does the "Liquid Detected" alert mean?
iPhone can sense moisture in the port and blocks charging to prevent a short or corrosion. Leave it in dry air until the alert clears on its own; don't force a charge or blast heat into the port.
My iPhone is IP68 rated, am I okay?
Don't assume so. That rating is for a set time in clean, still water. A hot detergent wash cycle exceeds it and degrades the seals. Treat it as water damage and dry it properly.
Does rice actually work on an iPhone?
No, and Apple says so directly. Rice doesn't dry the phone meaningfully faster than air, and its dust can get into ports and speakers.
Will AppleCare+ cover it?
Standard warranty excludes liquid damage, but AppleCare+ typically covers it for a service fee. Check your coverage before paying full price.
What about my photos and data?
If you use iCloud Photos or back up regularly, they're safe no matter what happens to the phone. Even a dead phone can sometimes be recovered. Don't discard it until you've checked.
"Won't insurance cover it?" Usually not fully. The deductible is often close to what the phone is worth, and even a small claim can raise your rate for years. Here's the honest math on insurance vs. prevention.
Make sure it doesn't happen again
Your iPhone is the thing you're most likely to leave in a pocket.
It rides in every pocket you own, and the one time you're rushing, or someone else starts the load, is the time
it goes through. Checking pockets by hand works right up until the moment it doesn't.
WashDog is that check, made automatic. It's a small device that watches your washer and catches tagged
valuables, and many devices on their own, before the cycle starts.
Green: you're clear
Red ring + a bark: stop, something's still in there
It won't promise to save everything, nothing honestly can. But it catches the mistake before the water does.
We're launching on Kickstarter. Join the list and we'll send you $10 off at launch, plus the free Rescue Guide.