Dealing with water damage on your iPad requires immediate action to prevent short circuits & corrosion. While no iPad is fully waterproof, taking the right steps quickly can significantly increase the chances of saving your device.
Visible Signs of Water Damage
These are signs you can often see on the exterior or screen:
Activated Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI): This is the most definitive sign. Apple builds small indicators (usually white or silver) into devices that turn bright red or pink when they come into contact with water.
Where to Check: On many iPad models, the LCI is located inside the SIM card tray slot or sometimes inside the charging port or headphone jack (if present). You often need a flashlight and a magnifying glass to see it clearly.
Moisture Under the Screen: You may see fogging, blurry spots, watermarks, or discoloration (like a rainbow sheen or splotches) visible under the glass display.
Corrosion or Discoloration: You might notice a fuzzy white, green, or black buildup or discoloration inside the charging port, speaker grilles, or SIM tray slot, which indicates corrosion.
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Functional Symptoms
These are issues with how the iPad operates:
| Component Affected | Symptom | Reason (Short-circuit/Corrosion) |
| Power/Battery | Will not turn on at all. | Short circuit on the logic board or battery connector. |
| Battery will not charge or drains very quickly. | Damage to the charging port or the internal charging circuit. | |
| Overheating or random, frequent restarts. | Internal short circuits cause components to draw excessive power and become unstable. | |
| Display | Screen flickering or showing scrambled/distorted images (lines, strange colors). | Damage to the display’s electrical pathways or the connector. |
| Touchscreen | Unresponsive touch (parts or all of the screen don’t react). | Interference with the digitizer layer. |
| “Ghost touches” (the screen registers touches you didn’t make). | Electrical interference and shorts in the digitizer. | |
| Audio/Input | No sound or distorted/muffled audio from the speakers. | Water damage to the speaker components or audio circuitry. |
| Buttons not working (Power, Volume, Home). | Corrosion inside the button mechanisms or their internal connectors. | |
| Face ID or Touch ID failure or being disabled. | Damage to the sensitive sensor components. | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular network issues. | Damage to the wireless antennas or their logic board connections. |
Important Note: Corrosion is a progressive issue. Even if your iPad seems to work fine right after getting wet, symptoms can appear days or weeks later as the moisture-induced corrosion spreads on the logic board.
It is crucial to follow the immediate drying steps even if the iPad seems okay at first.
Immediate Steps (The Do’s)
Follow the following steps immediately after your iPad gets wet:
Turn it Off Immediately: Power down the iPad right away to cut off electricity flow, which prevents short circuits. Hold the power button until the “Slide to Power Off” slider appears, then slide it. Do not turn it back on or charge it.
Remove Accessories: Take off the case, screen protector, and any connected cables or accessories. Trapped moisture can be held against the device by these items.
Wipe the Exterior: Gently pat the entire exterior dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. Be gentle to avoid pushing water deeper into the ports or crevices.
Sim Card Removal: If your iPad has a SIM card tray, eject it using a SIM ejector tool or a paperclip and dry the card and tray thoroughly. This also creates another opening for air circulation.
Air Dry (Minimum 48 Hours): Place the iPad in a dry, well-ventilated area for at least 48 hours. Prop it up with the charging port facing downward to allow any liquid inside to drain.
Consider Desiccants: Placing the iPad in a sealed container with silica gel packets (the small packets found in new shoes or electronics) can help absorb moisture. This is much more effective than rice and doesn’t leave dust.
Critical Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common mistakes that can worsen the damage:
Don’t Turn it On or Charge it: Do not attempt to power it on, use it, or charge it for at least 48 hours. Doing so while wet can cause permanent damage from a short circuit.
Don’t Use Heat Sources: Never use a hairdryer, oven, or direct sunlight to dry your iPad. Excessive heat can warp internal components and melt adhesives.
Don’t Use Rice: The “rice trick” is largely a myth. Rice is not effective at absorbing moisture from sealed electronics and can leave behind dust, starch, or small grains that get stuck in ports, causing further issues.
Don’t Disassemble: Do not try to open the iPad yourself. This can void warranties and cause more damage.
Don’t Press Buttons Excessively: Avoid pressing buttons or shaking the device vigorously, as this can force water further into the internal components.
Tips To Prevent Future Water Damage
- Use a Waterproof case.
- Avoid using your iPad Near Water.
- Keep it safe during travel.
- Don’t place drinks near your iPad.
- Protect it during the rainy season.
- Educate kids about handling.
- Clean with care.
Conclusion
Water damage can harm your iPad quickly, but acting fast and following the right steps can make a big difference in saving your device. Even if your iPad looks fine on the outside, hidden corrosion can cause problems later. So proper drying and inspection are essential. Being careful around water and taking small preventive measures can help you avoid costly repairs in the future.
If your iPad has already been exposed to water, don’t wait The Mobile Hub is here to help with reliable diagnostics, expert repair & quick service.