I dropped my iPhone in water — what should I do right now?

Power it off immediately. Don't plug it in to charge — that's the fastest way to fry the logic board. Remove the SIM tray. Don't put it in rice (a myth that doesn't help and adds dust). Bring it to us within 24 hours for the best recovery odds. The diagnostic is free.

How much does iPhone water damage repair cost in Auckland?

Water damage pricing varies enormously by the extent of corrosion, which components need replacing, and how long the iPhone has been wet. We give you a no-obligation quote after the initial diagnostic — usually within 24 to 48 hours. Every water damage repair includes a 90-day warranty on parts and labour.

How long does water damage repair take?

Straightforward water damage — caught early, no corrosion — can be turned around same-day or next-day. Deeper repairs requiring ultrasonic cleaning plus component replacement typically take 3 to 7 business days. We give you an updated timeline after the initial assessment.

Aren't iPhones meant to be water resistant?

IP68 rating helps but isn't a guarantee. Apple's water resistance is rated for fresh water at specific depths and short durations — and it degrades with age, drops, and seal damage from previous repairs. Salt water, hot water, swimming pool water, soapy water, and bathwater all cause damage that the seals aren't designed to prevent.

My iPhone is "working fine" after a splash — should I still bring it in?

Yes, especially if water got past the seals. Corrosion can develop over days or weeks even when the phone seems to work, and the first symptom is often a failed charging port or speaker months later. A 10-minute diagnostic now is cheap insurance against a logic-board repair later.

Can you recover my photos if the iPhone is too damaged to repair?

Often yes. Even when an iPhone can't be brought back to working order, we can frequently transfer the NAND storage chip to a recovery board and extract photos, contacts, and messages. Apple silicon and T2-chip iPhones make this more involved because data is encrypted, but it's still possible in many cases. We'll tell you honestly what's recoverable before we charge anything.

iPhone Water Damage Repair Auckland — Ultrasonic Cleaning & Recovery

Stop Doing These Things Right Now

If your iPhone has just been exposed to water, what you do in the first 30 minutes determines whether it can be saved.

DO NOT turn it on, even to "check if it works"
DO NOT plug it in to charge — this is the #1 way to fry the logic board
DO NOT put it in rice. This is a myth. Rice does nothing for moisture trapped against electronics, and it can deposit dust into the connectors.
DO power it off immediately if it's still on
DO remove the SIM tray to help drying and water escape
DO bring it to us within 24 hours — the longer corrosion sets in, the harder the repair

→ Full iPhone screen repair Auckland guide (per-model, FAQs, types of damage)

Get a Free Quote

Time Matters More Than the Splash Size

A quick rinse with the phone OFF often does no damage at all. A short drop in a pool with the phone ON can fry the logic board within minutes as water bridges the circuits and corrosion starts. Bring it in fast — the diagnostic is free.

What Water Damage Recovery Actually Involves

Drying the outside isn't the repair — the problem is moisture, mineral residue, and corrosion trapped against the logic board, charging port, speakers, and cable connectors. Our process:

Open and assess. We pull the device apart so we can see what's wet, what's already corroded, and what's intact.
Ultrasonic clean. The logic board goes into an ultrasonic bath with an isopropyl-based solvent that lifts mineral residue and corrosion off the contacts.
Microscope inspection. We check every solder joint, connector, and component under magnification for residual damage.
Component replacement. Anything damaged beyond recovery — charging port, speakers, cameras — gets swapped.
Reassemble and test. Battery, charging, signal, audio, camera, Face ID, all tested before you collect.

→ Full iPhone battery replacement Auckland guide (per-model, FAQs, warning signs)

What We Can Save vs. What We Can't

Most iPhones with water exposure can be recovered if they reach us within 24-48 hours. After a week, success rates drop significantly. Honest assessment:

Within 24 hours, phone OFF — recovery is very likely
Within 24 hours, phone ON — recovery is likely if no charging was attempted
Within 1 week — recovery still very possible; corrosion may have started on connectors
Beyond 2 weeks — corrosion has usually spread to multiple components; recovery is case-by-case
If charging was attempted — logic board may be permanently damaged; we'll be honest at diagnosis
Data recovery — even when the iPhone itself can't be saved, we can usually pull your photos and contacts off the storage chip

Don't wait — bring it in today.

Free diagnostic. Recovery success rates drop fast after the first 24 hours.

Call 09 820 9147

iPhone Water Damage Recovery for Every Model

We recover water-damaged iPhones from every generation — from the iPhone 6s through the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Each generation has its own waterproofing limits and component layouts; our diagnostic accounts for the model-specific weak points before quoting.

Latest iPhones (2025)

iPhone Air

2025 · Current generation

The thinnest iPhone Apple has made. We replace its titanium frame display assembly and battery using OEM-spec parts.