How to Get Water Out of Your Phone's Charging Port Safely

Oops! If water has gotten into your charging port, use these four methods to dry out your port and prevent your phone from water damage.


Nicolle Monico
Updated 11 April 2022
How to Get Water Out of Your Phone's Charging Port Safely
Sections on this page
  1. What to Do Right After Your Phone Gets Wet 
  2. How to Get Water Out of a Charging Port 
  3. Signs of Water Damage on a Phone 
  4. How Long Does It Take To Dry a Charging Port?
  5. What is a Liquid Detection Alert?
  6. Do’s and Don’ts When Your Phone Gets Wet
  7. How to Keep Your Phone Safe From Future Water Damage 
  8. Frequently Asked Questions

It’s not uncommon to get water in your phone's charging port, regardless of how careful you are. To protect your device and keep it running properly, there are a few methods that work well in removing excess water from your phone. Read more on how to get water out of a charging port and the Do’s and Don’ts of drying your port to avoid corrosion and permanent damage. 

What to Do Right After Your Phone Gets Wet 

  1. Turn off your phone completely
  2. Remove any accessories such as headphones, a phone case or a charger
  3. Set your phone upright so that the port is on the bottom.
  4. Tap your phone gently against your hand to help remove any excess water (don't shake it).

How to Get Water Out of a Charging Port 

These are some of the most common ways you can get water out of a charging port:

Rice 

Rice is the most common way people try and get water out of their phones. To dry out a charging port, put your phone in a cup of dry rice immediately after it has come into contact with water. Leave your phone in the cup for at least 2 hours or overnight before checking to see if the port is dry. 

how to get water out of a charging port

Vacuum Hose 

If you have a vacuum hose at home, you can use it to get water out of a charging port fast. Be cautious with this method, though, since you may risk ruining the internal components of your phone due to the strong air pressure.

Fan

One of the fastest ways to dry out a charging port is by placing your phone in front of a fan in a dry area. The concentrated air can help remove excess water quickly, especially when using a high-speed setting.

Keep in mind that you’d want to avoid any heated fans (such as a hair blow dryer) because it may cause heat damage, melt your phone’s exterior, or bring your device to an unsafe temperature level. 

how to get water out of charging port
Small personal fans like this one are a great resource when it comes to drying out your charging port after it's come into contact with water.

Air Drying

If you’re outdoors and don’t have the option to use household items or dry rice, you can lie your phone down flat and let it air dry. You’ll want to leave it in a warm, dry environment and avoid leaving it in the sun which may cause it to overheat.

Additionally, if is a significant amount of water in your port, letting it sit too long with water inside will likely lead to corrosion which will damage your phone. 

Cotton

If you have cotton at home (e.g., cotton balls, swabs, or pads), you can try using it to get water out of charging port. To do so:

  1. Turn your phone off
  2. Wrap a small piece of cotton around a pin, needle, or toothpick
  3. Stick the device into your charging port and move the cotton around in a circular motion to get rid of the water inside
  4. Then, leave the phone lying flat and let it air dry before turning it back on

Note: This method may cause small cotton particles to get trapped inside your port. 

Signs of Water Damage on a Phone 

  • You’re not able to charge your phone
  • Your phone’s sounds will be distorted or muted
  • You’ll hear static noises when using headphones
  • You’ll see a dark display screen or a distorted picture 

How Long Does It Take To Dry a Charging Port?

Depending on the method you use to get rid of water in a charging port, it may take 1 to 2 hours.

Making sure that all the water is dry before using your phone again or charging it is essential to ensuring your phone remains undamaged. The longer you let it dry, the better. 

What is a Liquid Detection Alert?

Many of today’s smartphones have a liquid detection feature which tells users that moisture has been found within the device. This notification can be helpful if you’re unaware that your port has come into contact with water.

For example, iPhone users will see a “Charging Not Available” error on their screen if water is detected in the charging port. The description should say, “Liquid has been detected in the Lightning connector,” and you won’t be able to charge your device.

Overriding the Charging Function

If you’re in an emergency situation and need to put some charge on your phone, there is an “Emergency Override” option you can choose. However, doing so can cause permanent damage to your phone, so it’s not advised.

Once dry, turn it on and see if the error message appears again. If it does, wait another 1-2 hours before trying to charge it again.

Do’s and Don’ts When Your Phone Gets Wet

  • Do turn your phone off immediately
  • Do rinse your phone with fresh water before drying it if it fell into saltwater, a pool, or other types of water
  • Don’t try and charge your phone
  • Don’t use high heat to dry your phone
  • Don’t blow into the port (this may force the water deeper into the port)
  • Don’t shake or swing your phone

How to Keep Your Phone Safe From Future Water Damage 

Here are a few tips we recommend for keeping your phone safe from water or moisture damage in the future:

  1. Use a waterproof phone case: These types of cases not only protect the phone itself but offer protection for its charger port.
  2. Use a dry bag: For those who are around water regularly, consider purchasing a dry bag to carry your phone in while near water. They are relatively cheap and can still be operated while in the bag so you never have to remove your phone.
    how to get water out of a charging port
    Example of a waterproof bag used to keep phones safe near and in water.
  3. Buy a waterproof phone: Nowadays, advancements in technology have allowed manufacturers to make waterproof or water-resistant phones so that consumers don’t need to worry about dropping them in liquids.
  4. Keep a distance: Always leave your phone a safe distance away from large bodies of water. Be sure to only use it when there is no risk of dropping it into water.

Lastly, while it’s not a preventative measure for water damage, be sure to always backup your phone. In the event that your phone will no longer turn on or your data is lost, you’ll be able to restore a recent version of your phone via backup. 

Frequently Asked Questions

I don’t have rice, what else can I use to dry out my charging port?

If you don’t have dry rice, you can use a  fan, cotton swab, vacuum hose or an air-drying approach to dry out your phone’s charging port.

Can I charge my phone if the port is wet or has been in water?

No, it’s not a good idea to plug your phone in when the charging port is still wet. Doing so can lead to damaging your phone’s hardware and the port may stop working altogether. There is also the possibility of electric shocks when plugging it into a charger.

How do I know if my charger port is damaged?

There are a few signs that your charger port may be damaged, including:

  • You need to hold your phone at different angles to get a charge
  • Your battery only charges with wireless charges, which means there is nothing wrong with the actual battery
  • There is residue and debris forming around your charging port

Can I use a wireless charger if my charging port has water in it?

Yes, wireless charging devices don’t affect your phone’s internal charging components, so you can use it to give your battery some juice while it’s drying. Be sure to completely wipe down your phone before placing it on the charger to avoid any electric shocks.

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