Save an iPod from Water

If you got your iPod wet, don’t panic. The situation can often be salvaged. Quickly remove it from water, make sure it’s powered off, and place it in a dry, absorbent place for a few days (like a bag of rice). The idea is to make sure the device is dried out completely before you send any electrical current through again. With some patience and a bit of luck you may be able to save yourself a trip to the Apple store.

Steps

Using Rice

  1. Remove the iPod from the water. If the iPod was not completely submerged, be careful not to let water get into any of the port openings.
  2. Power off your iPod if it's still on. If your iPod was on when it got wet and remains on, that’s a good sign! It means that the device hasn’t short-circuited yet. Hold the power button and power your iPod down as soon as possible. This can help avoid damage.
  3. Remove your case, headphones and anything else attached to your iPod. This will help it dry out faster.
  4. Get rid of any water on the outside of your iPod. Use a towel or paper towel to dry your iPod. Gently shake your iPod to remove any water in the ports.
    • Be sure to dry any cracks and crevices you can reach. You can use the rolled corner of a paper towel to get into hard-to-reach spaces.
  5. Place your iPod in a bag filled with uncooked rice. You want enough rice to completely cover your iPod. Uncooked rice is good at absorbing moisture and is too large to get stuck in the openings for your headphones and other cables.
    • Other absorbent materials like the silica gel packs that come in shoe boxes can also do the trick.
  6. Wait at least 24 hours. The amount of time can vary, but you want to make sure that your iPod is completely dry before powering it back on. Give it a few days if you want to be really sure.
  7. Try to power on your iPod. If it successfully turns on, then rejoice!
    • It is also possible that your iPod lost charge while you were waiting. You can connect the device to a power source and check for the charging symbol after a few moments.

Using Air

  1. Remove the iPod from the water. If the iPod was not completely submerged, be careful not to let water slip into any of the port openings.
  2. Make sure the device is powered off. If the device was on when it got wet, and remains on, that’s a good sign! It means that the device hasn’t short circuited. Still, hold the power button and power the device down before any water can make its way into the electronics.
  3. Wipe off any excess water. Use a towel or paper towel to dry off any of the reachable surfaces or crevices, but remember the inside of the device is what really counts.
    • Remove any case or peripherals on the device. This can help the device dry out faster.
  4. Place the iPod in front of a fan. If you don’t have the means to surround the device in something absorbent, then you can air dry. If you don’t have a fan, then storing the device somewhere dry with access to air can work as well.
    • Do NOT use a blowdryer or other hot air device. You can risk melting the electrical components and causing further damage.
  5. Wait for a day or more. The amount of time can vary, but you want to make sure that the device is completely dry before powering it back on.
  6. Try to power the device on. If it starts up without issue, then things are looking good. Test out the controls to make sure everything is okay.
    • It is also possible that the device lost charge while you were waiting. You can connect the device to a power source and check for the charging symbol after a few moments.



Tips

Warnings

  • Do not use a blow dryer to dry the iPod more quickly. The hot air has the potential to damage electrical components.

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Sources and Citations

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