Did you accidentally get water inside your phone’s speaker? Many modern iPhones and Androids may be water-resistant, but their speakers are still susceptible to water damage, which can muffle their audio output and eventually cause severe damage to other parts of the phone. Water damage also voids most warranties, so it can be crucial to remove water from your device’s speaker by yourself. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can try to remove water from your phone’s speaker.
How to remove water from an iPhone or Android speaker
Here are several methods to safely and effectively remove water from your phone’s speaker:
Water eject website (iPhone & Android)
- Go to Fix My Speakers in your phone’s browser.
- Turn your phone’s volume all the way up using the volume button on the side of your phone.
- Lay your phone on a flat surface, possibly on a soft cloth. If there is a lot of water, consider placing the phone on a slight incline with the speaker facing downwards.
- Tap the large button in the middle of the screen. You will hear a loud high-pitched ringing as water droplets push out. Tap the button again to stop the sound or to push out more water. Do not let the sound play for longer than 10-15 seconds.
Sonic app (iPhone)
- Install the Sonic app from the App Store. This app is only available on iOS.
- Turn your iPhone’s volume all the way up using the volume button on the side of your phone.
- Lay your phone on a flat surface, possibly on a soft cloth. If there is a lot of water, consider placing the phone on a slight incline with the speaker facing downwards.
- Open the Sonic app and tap the water droplet icon. Your iPhone will emit a high-pitched frequency. Tap the button again to stop the sound or to push out more water. Do not let the sound play for longer than 10-15 seconds.
Water eject shortcut (iPhone)
- Allow untrusted shortcuts on your iPhone by navigating to Settings > Shortcuts > Allow untrusted shortcuts.
- Openthis link in your iPhone’s browser to add the “Water Eject” shortcut.
- Turn your phone’s volume all the way up using the volume button on the side of your phone.
- Lay your phone on a flat surface, possibly on a soft cloth. If there is a lot of water, consider placing the phone on a slight incline with the speaker facing downwards.
- Open the Shortcuts app, which comes pre-installed on all iOS devices.
- Tap the Water Eject shortcut to open it.
- Tap Begin Water Ejection. You will hear a loud high-pitched ringing. As it plays, you may see water droplets push out from the speaker. Tap the button to stop the sound once you no longer see water coming out of the speaker. You can tap the button again to push out additional bits of water, but try not to let the sound play for longer than 10-15 seconds.
A vacuum cleaner
- Power off your phone immediately.
- Use a small, low-powered vacuum cleaner, such as a handheld car vacuum with a small nozzle, around your phone’s speaker. Ensure the nozzle is clean before use.
Air drying
- Power off your phone quickly to avoid further damage.
- Lay your phone on a flat surface for 24 to 48 hours, perhaps on a soft cloth or towel. If there is a lot of water, try placing the phone on a slight incline with the speaker facing downwards.
Silica gel/crystal kitty litter
- Power off your phone, especially if the entire phone is wet and not water resistant.
- Place your phone in a sealed bag with as many silica gel pouches as you can find, and leave it for 24-48 hours.
- Alternatively: Use about 4 cups of crystal kitty litter (made of silica pieces), placed in a bowl, and allow your phone to dry for 24 to 48 hours. Ensure it’s crystal kitty litter, not other types.
- Note: While white rice is commonly suggested, it is not as effective. Instant rice (4-5 cups) can be used, as can other desiccants like Israeli couscous and instant oatmeal.
What to do next?
After successfully removing water from your phone’s speaker, it’s wise to perform a few checks. Test the speaker thoroughly by playing various audio types, such as music, videos, and calls, to ensure sound clarity and volume are restored. Listen for any lingering muffled sounds or distortions, which could indicate residual moisture.
Consider backing up your device’s data if you haven’t recently. While the immediate issue might be resolved, water exposure can sometimes lead to long-term internal corrosion or component failure. Keeping a current backup ensures your important information is safe, providing peace of mind in case any unforeseen issues arise later on.
