How to Fix a Wet iPod

Since their introduction in November of 2001, iPods have become one of the most popular multimedia playback devices ever sold. Unfortunately for fans of the device, iPods are not manufactured to be waterproof from significant exposure to water. In the timeframe that the devices have been on the market, consumers have managed to drop iPods in toilets, the bath tub, pools, drinks of water or other liquid, and even the ocean. For those who experience this without having a waterproof case on the iPod, a common task that arises is figuring out how to fix a wet iPod.

Apple Warranty Coverage for Water Damage

Similar to other Apple products, new iPods are sold with a warranty with various options to extend the coverage at the time of purchase. Although the company is well-known for their customer service, the basic warrant on an iPod does not provide coverage for water damage. When you take an iPod that has been dropped in water to the Apple store to repair, many times the technicians will either refuse to repair the device or potentially charge you without fixing the iPod. If considering buying an extended warranty at the time of purchase a good question to ask the sales representative is if the coverage will include protection against dropping the iPod in water. If they reply that it will, have the sales representative show you in writing prior to paying for the coverage.

iPod Models

To date, the following are the iPod models that have been sold by Apple: iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod Mini, and the iPod Touch. Each of the models has seen several generations of the model released by Apple with the Mini being discontinued in 2005. If you are seeking professional repair assistance for a wet iPod, identifying the model and generation of the device will be required by the majority of repair shops that you will find online.

Quick Lookup Chart of iPod Models

Immediate Steps to Take after Getting Your iPod Wet

Step 1 – Remove the iPod from the source of the water as fast as possible. The odds of successfully fixing an iPod exposed to water significantly decrease with the time of exposure. If the iPod is in a case, remove the case after removing the iPod from the source of water.

Step 2 – Turn off the iPod if still on. Continuing to power the wet electronic components will only result in more significant damage.

Step 3 – Attempt to wipe liquid off of the external case of the iPod as soon as possible. If you have spilled a drink onto the device, this simple act can prevent significant water damage depending on the nature of the spill and length of time that the liquid is permitted to remain on the device.

Step 4 – Ensure the iPod remains in the off condition for a minimum of 24 to 36 hours. If the water exposure was from a minor spill or bad rain storm, this will give time for slight water intrusion to dry off. If the device was dropped into a standing body of water, it may fail to turn on after 24 hours and will require additional troubleshooting steps to attempt fixing the iPod. Under no circumstances should the iPod be plugged into the computer or wall charger during the drying-off period. This act will power the device and has resulted in more than a few wet iPods suffering catastrophic damage (i.e. you cannot fix the device.

Fix a Wet iPod Using Rice or Kitty Litter

One of the most common “Do-It-Yourself” methods to fix a wet iPod is the rice or dust-free kitty litter method. The method has been popular to conduct basic repairs of not only iPods but also other mobile devices. The basic idea is to use something that most people have available in the home which is capable of absorbing the water from inside of the electronic device after significant exposure to water. The method is not full-proof, and success at fixing the player will depend on the amount of water penetration inside of the iPod and length of time that the device was powered on after exposure to water.

Step 1 – After taking the immediate steps for exposure to water, open the iPod (if possible) and remove the battery. Some versions of iPod may require use of a miniature screwdriver to take the device apart to access the battery. The iPod Touch does not have a user-removable battery which can lessen the odds of the rice/kitty litter method from working.

Step 2 – Lightly swap the iPod components with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol will dry quickly and help evaporate surrounding water.

Step 3 – After the iPod parts have been wiped down, place them into a plastic bag containing dust-free kitty litter or uncooked rice.

Step 4 – Alternatively, place the uncooked rice or dust-free kitty litter in a bow and insert the iPod components beneath the rice.

Step 5 – Leave the iPod components in the rice/kitty litter for 24 to 48 hours in a warm, dry location.

Step 6 – Reassemble the iPod after 48 hours if there is no visible water and power on. If the iPod turns on without issues for several hours, it has been fixed. Note, that if the iPod’s exposure to water was prolonged, it was left turned on for a significant timeframe, or plugged into a charger after water exposure it is very likely that no repair method will work in fixing the iPod.

Fix an iPod Using a Repair Service

Many consumers hesitate taking or sending any consumer electronics device such as an iPod to a repair service. This is primarily due to cost, and not having the iPod for one or many days as well as a repair cost that will likely be $50 or more in USD. Although paying a technician to troubleshoot the iPod can cost money, it may help you save the iPod (or at least access information that was not synced prior to the water damage). Additional considerations for taking a wet iPod to a repair service to fix:

Repair Consideration #1 – How old is your iPod? If you have the original iPod classic, it’s going to be more cost effective to take your $50 and get a modern version of the iPod such as the iPod Touch.

Repair Consideration #2 – Guarantee of success? Is there a money-back guarantee from the repair company for the damaged iPod? Many legitimate repair companies will offer this; however, similar to the “gotchas” with the Apple warranty on the device may not include the guarantee on water damage.

Repair Consideration #3 – How long can you go without an iPod?  Some consumers can’t go more than a day without access to their iPod. If you fall into this category and have already attempted the rice/kitty litter repair method, it may be time to cut your losses and buy a new iPod if funds permit. Many repair shops (both brick-and-mortar and online) will keep the iPod for one or several days if they agree to attempt to fix the water damaged device.

Prevent Water Damage by using the Appropriate iPod Case

It normally takes losing at least one iPod to water damage before a consumer will make the choice to spend money on a decent case for the device. Unfortunately, many will select a water resistant vice waterproof case due to cost on the first purchase. Although the water resistant cases do provide decent protection against dropping iPods and water exposure, they will not completely keep water from getting to the iPod. A waterproof case is designed to be fully submerged into water for a given timeframe but can cost sometimes two to three times that of a resistant case alternative. For each case variety, there are typically hinges for the charger plug and headphones. If these are left open water will still access the iPod and possibly result in significant damage.