Water in the Charging Port: What the Liquid Alert Means and How to Fix It

What Does "Liquid Detected" Mean?

"Liquid detected" means your phone found liquid in its Lightning or USB-C port and has stopped charging and accessories until the port is dry. On iPhone, the alert appears on iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later, according to Apple. The pause protects the port and the cable from corrosion. For water in the speaker instead, see the iPhone speaker cleaner.

Which Liquid Alert Will You See?

The alert you see depends on your connector and what you plugged in.

The iPhone alert names come from Apple's support page on liquid-detection alerts.

How to Get Water Out of the Charging Port

To get water out of the charging port, unplug the cable, tap the phone with the port facing down, and let it dry in moving air.

1. Unplug the cable from the phone, and the other end from the adapter.
2. Tap the phone gently against your hand with the port facing down.
3. Leave it in a dry place with some airflow.
4. Try charging again after at least 30 minutes.

These are Apple's steps, and they suit any phone. The wider routine is in the guide to dry a wet phone.

How Long Should You Wait Before Charging?

It depends on how wet the port is. Wait at least 30 minutes before you try a wired charger. If the alert comes back, Apple says to leave the phone in a dry place with airflow for up to a day. It can take up to 24 hours to dry fully.

Can You Charge Your Phone While Liquid Is Detected?

No, you shouldn't charge your phone with a cable while liquid is detected. Apple warns that charging with a wet connector can corrode the pins on the port or cable and cause permanent damage. Apple allows two exceptions:

• Emergency override: reconnect the cable and the iPhone offers an option to override the alert and charge anyway. Use it only in an emergency.
• Wireless charging: a Qi-certified wireless charger still works. Make sure the back of the phone is dry first.

What Should You Never Put in a Wet Charging Port?

Never put objects, heat or compressed air into a wet charging port. Apple lists these as things not to do:

• Cotton buds or paper towels pushed into the connector.
• An external heat source, such as a hair dryer.
• Compressed air.
• A bag of rice; Apple warns rice particles can damage the iPhone. More on a wet phone in rice.

Why Does the Alert Show When the Port Is Dry?

The alert shows on a dry port when the cable or accessory itself is wet or damaged. If it appears every time with one particular cable or accessory, Apple says that item may be damaged; contact its maker. If it appears with every Apple cable you connect, the iPhone may need service.

On Galaxy phones, the same check applies; see the Samsung speaker cleaner guide for Samsung's drying advice.

Does a Speaker Cleaner Dry the Charging Port?

No, a speaker cleaner doesn't dry the charging port. The tone moves water only at the speaker grille. The port needs time and airflow. Once the port is dry, use the speaker cleaner if the speaker still sounds muffled.