YouTube videos that play a quiet sound to vibrate water from the speakers actually work, according to an in-depth study by The edgeDavid Pierce and iFixit.

There are numerous videos on YouTube that promise to remove water from an iPhone using sound. Pierce wanted to find out if the videos actually did what they promised, so he asked iFixit for help. iFixit submerged an iPhone 13 in water with UV dye, played the video, and then let it dry overnight.

Playing one of the YouTube videos during this process, it was clear that water was leaking from the speaker of the ‌iPhone‌ and the speakers of other tested smartphones from Google and Nokia. The water came out in an initial gush from the sound, but it is worth noting that the video was only able to remove water from the speaker area.

When I opened the iPhone, other areas were discolored by UV dye, preventing the water from draining out of the entire phone. The oscillating sound in the YouTube videos may push water out of the speaker grill, but it is not a complete solution to a water-soaked device.

Apple has integrated a feature into the Apple Watch that uses sound to expel water from the device. However, this is more effective because the device is smaller and has fewer nooks and crannies than an iPhone.

Apple’s modern iPhones are IP68 water and dust resistant, with the 8 standing for water resistance. IPx8 means the iPhone 15 can withstand splashes, rain, and accidental submersion up to six meters deep for 30 minutes. The ‌iPhone‌’s waterproof rating will degrade over time with wear and tear, and water damage is not covered by Apple, so it’s best to avoid water exposure if possible.

The edgeIt’s worth watching the full breakdown of how these YouTube videos work.