Many YouTube videos claim that you can use low-frequency sounds to remove water from iPhone speakers. David Pierce of The Verge was curious to see how effective this is and teamed up with iFixit to test the theory. Here’s their result.

Disclaimer: This is mainly for testing purposes. We do not recommend submerging your smartphone in water just to test the accuracy of this test. Any damage caused to your smartphone as a result of this test is entirely at your expense. Gizchina.com cannot be held responsible for what happens to your phone if you try this at home.

However, this tip can be especially helpful if your iPhone accidentally falls into a liquid.

Testing the sound method

To see if these videos really work, iFixit submerged an iPhone 13 in water mixed with UV dye. They then played one of the popular YouTube videos that vibrates water from the phone’s speakers and let the device dry overnight.

When the video was played, water visibly sprayed out of the iPhone’s speaker area. The vibrations from the sound quickly pushed the water out, showing that the method works to some extent. They also tested other smartphones from brands like Google and Nokia and the results were similar. The initial burst of sound effectively pushed water out of the speaker grilles.

However, when iFixit opened the iPhone, other parts of the device were discolored with UV dye, suggesting that water remained trapped inside. The sound waves in the video only removed water from the speakers, not other internal components. This makes it clear that while the method helps remove water from specific areas, it is not a complete solution for a completely soaked phone.

How effective is it?

These videos mainly focus on water in the speaker area. The oscillating sound waves will push the water out of the grille but will not dry the entire phone. If water gets into other parts, such as the internal circuitry, this method will not fix the problem, so it is not a reliable remedy for extensive water exposure.

Apple devices like the Apple Watch have a built-in sound feature specifically designed to repel water. This works more effectively because the watch is a smaller device with fewer crevices compared to an iPhone. Apple’s sound feature uses a similar concept but with more precision and control.

Water resistance in modern iPhones

Modern iPhones like the iPhone 15 are IP68 water and dust resistant. The “8” in IP68 means the phone can withstand splashes, rain, and even accidental submersion in up to six meters of water for up to 30 minutes. However, water resistance decreases over time through wear and tear, making older devices more vulnerable to water damage.

Water damage is not covered by Apple’s warranty, so you should avoid exposing your iPhone to water if possible. These sound tricks from YouTube can help in an emergency, but should not be considered a long-term solution.

Diploma

While using sound to remove water from an iPhone’s speakers works, it’s not a foolproof solution. While the sonic vibrations can help remove water from the speaker grille, it won’t remove water trapped deeper in the phone. Your best bet is to keep your phone dry and seek professional help if it gets wet.

While this tip can be very helpful in drying out your smartphone’s speakers, it shouldn’t be the only thing. Once water gets inside your smartphone, many things can happen that could damage your smartphone later on. For this reason, we recommend visiting a technician as soon as water or any other liquid gets inside your smartphone.

For a closer look at the testing process and results, you can check out The Verge’s detailed analysis.