wet iphone

nutn2it · 10-25-2009, 03:08 PM

Well, my iphone got submerged for about 15 seconds yesterday and appears dead. I got it with a 2 year contract about 15 months ago (it was the best one available at that time, 3G?). Question is: 1) is there any hope to revive it and if so, how? Secondly, how much will a new one cost if it's a goner?

MrMike6by9 · 10-25-2009, 04:10 PM

Most people advocate for you to immediately turn off the phone and place in a sealed bag of uncooked rice for a minimum of a week to 10 days. It should be stored, unopened, at room temp or slightly higher. DO NOT turn on the phone BEFORE the time has fully elapsed. You best chance for revival of phone is for it to be COMPLETELY dry inside before any electricity has a chance to short out any components. The moisture sensors are surely "tripped" so your only hope to avoid an early purchase "penalty" is to revive it in the manner cited.

YMMV

Krunk83 · 10-25-2009, 07:54 PM

Apple offers a one time fee to replace your phone for $100 if it has water damage. Again, you only get this chance once so if it happens again you will have to pay the full price on it. The rice trick probably won't work but it couldn't hurt to try.

Europa · 10-26-2009, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by Krunk83

Apple offers a one time fee to replace your phone for $100 if it has water damage. Again, you only get this chance once so if it happens again you will have to pay the full price on it. The rice trick probably won't work but it couldn't hurt to try.

I'm pretty sure it's $200.

iNinja · 10-26-2009, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Europa

I'm pretty sure it's $200.

Yup, its $199

juls1585 · 10-26-2009, 09:11 AM

take it to the apple store and they will let you to replace it for $199. mine i got lucky and came back to life after just a night in rice, but it wasnt in water anymore than a second or two. try the rice. it worked well!

KabaModern · 10-26-2009, 09:19 AM

I wasn't so lucky with the rice trick. Though, I think I caused more harm than good by trying to plug it into an electrical outlet less than 24 hours in the rice. You truly need to give it like a week in the rice to ensure everything is dried out. If not, Apple has you covered for $199 plus tax, like others had said. It's definitely not $99...

atldvd · 10-26-2009, 09:57 AM

My daughter's iPhone succumbed to a watery death a few weeks ago. I have stockpiled a small amount of silica gel in case it ever happens to mine. If it does, I'm gonna take it apart and let it dry in silica gel (and maybe rice also). All you gotta do, I think, is unscrew 2 screws on the bottom and then use a suction cup to remove the screen portion, There will be some wires, but you shouldn't have to disconnect them to let it dry. Don't worry about voiding your warranty. you did that when it went in the water.
good luck

atldvd · 10-26-2009, 10:01 AM

OBTW, if you got it 15 months ago, you should be elgible for an upgrade from AT&T. You could get a new 3GS for $199 (with a NEW 2-year contract, though) May be a better option than paying $199 to get your 3G replaced. The 3GS is much better than the 3G.