If you see the ‘Liquid Detected in Lightning Connector’ alert on your iPhone, first disconnect all accessories and turn off your iPhone. After that, leave your iPhone to dry and charge it after 30 minutes. If you see the alert again, contact Apple Support.
Hi, I’m Devansh. A few weeks ago, I accidentally spilled water on my iPhone and got the ‘Liquid Detected in Lightning Connector’ alert. In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps I followed to fix my iPhone. I’ll also answer three common questions.
If there has been liquid damage to your iPhone and you can’t charge it, keep reading!
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First Steps to Dry iPhone Charging Port
Which alerts are you seeing on your iPhone: Liquid Detected in Lightning Connector or Charging Not Available? Both of these alerts indicate that your iPhone has detected liquid in the charging port or connector.
When you see these alerts, first unplug all accessories and shut down your iPhone. Now, follow these steps.
Step 1: Dry the Charging Port
First, find a warm place in your house with sufficient airflow, like a nearby windowsill, vent, or fan. Place your iPhone there (avoid direct sunlight) and let it dry out for 30 minutes. Avoid using any canned air, external heat sources, or absorbent materials.
In addition, find an object that can support your iPhone in the vertical position without closing off the port entirely, like a phone stand. If you want to quicken the process, tap the back of the iPhone, but be gentle.
Step 2: Dry the Connector
While your iPhone is drying, you can clean your Lightning connector with a microfiber cloth and check for any external damage to the cable. You can also leave it in the same spot as your iPhone for it to dry out.
Step 3: Try Charging Your iPhone Again
Once you’re confident that your iPhone charging port and the connector are dry, you can turn on your iPhone and try charging it again. If the alert reappears, you can leave your iPhone and the Lightning connector to dry for a full day.
Twenty-four hours might seem excessive, but it’s the optimal timeframe to ensure your iPhone and connector have completely dried. After that time period, try charging your iPhone again and see if the alert comes up.
When is it Safe to Use Emergency Override?
You’ll see the Emergency Override option when you reconnect the Lightning connector to your iPhone. If activated, it overrides the liquid detection alert and charges your iPhone anyway.
Unless it’s a false alert, it’s not safe to use this option. The liquid that is already present can cause further damage. Instead, it’s much safer to use a Qi-certified wireless charger. Before doing so, just ensure your iPhone’s back is clean and dry.
What’s Next?
If the alert persists every time you charge your iPhone, it’s also possible that there’s dust buildup inside the charging port, causing charging-related issues. You can use a dry brush to remove dust or debris. Check this article for more iPhone cleaning tips.
Beyond this, it’s smart to get in touch with Apple Support. Unfortunately, service charges for liquid damage aren’t covered by the Apple One-Year Limited Warranty, but you might be covered by the consumer protection laws in your country.
FAQs
Here are three questions about the ‘Liquid Detected in Lightning Connector’ alert on your iPhone.
Are There Any Waterproof iPhone Cases?
To avoid causing liquid damage to your iPhone in the future, you can invest in a waterproof case or pouch. You can find many great options online from brands like Temdan, Catalyst, and Spidercase. If you’re interested in underwater iPhone photography, check out ProShot.
Should You Put Your iPhone in a Bowl of Uncooked Rice to Dry Faster?
No, this isn’t a safe and reliable method. According to Apple, ‘Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone.’ Instead, as I said before, just let it dry naturally.
Which iPhone Models Have a Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI)?
Most iPhone models that were manufactured after 2006 have a built-in LCI. Although it’s normally silver, it turns red when it gets in contact with water or any liquid containing water. Check this page for a full list of models that have LCIs and their respective locations.
Conclusion
So, these are the steps to follow: disconnect all accessories, shut down your iPhone, and let it dry. Meanwhile, also dry the Lightning connector and try charging your iPhone again after 30 minutes.
If the alert reappears, you can leave your iPhone and Lightning connector to dry for a full day. Later on, also consider getting in touch with Apple Support.
Do you have any further questions about how to deal with liquid damage issues in your iPhone? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
