Did your iPhone detect liquid in the Lightning connector or port? This alarming message stops you from charging or using accessories with your iPhone until it’s dry. It says you should disconnect everything and wait several hours for that to happen.
But is that all you can do? And is your iPhone safe to use in the meantime?
This article explains exactly what’s going on with your iPhone, including what you can do to avoid irreparable liquid damage to your device.
Why Did an Alert Say That My iPhone Detected Liquid?
This pop-up alert is fairly self-explanatory. It appears when you connect a Lightning cable or accessory to your iPhone, but either the Lightning port or Lightning connector is wet. Usually, the alert says:
Liquid has been detected in the Lightning connector. Disconnect to allow the connector to dry. This may take several hours.
One of two liquid detection alerts might appear on your iPhone. Image from Apple.
It’s unclear how your iPhone senses liquid in the Lightning connector. But it might get wet if you dropped it in water, got caught in the rain, or kept it in a humid environment like a steamy bathroom.
When this alert appears, it disables the Lightning connector so you can’t charge your iPhone or use it with accessories. This protects your iPhone from potential damage.
What if My iPhone Is Water-Resistant?
Most modern iPhones are water-resistant, but many people mistake this for being waterproof. Just because your iPhone is waterproof doesn’t mean that it’s immune from liquid damage.
The metal inside of your iPhone can still stop working if liquid comes into contact. And if you get liquid inside your iPhone’s charging port, the same can happen. So, you still need to be careful when using your smartphone.
Without an electrical current passing through the metal, the liquid shouldn’t cause any damage — unless it leaves residue on the pins. That’s why Apple disables the Lightning connector when your iPhone detects liquid in it. A current could make the metal corrode and the connector stop working.
If your iPhone detects liquid in the Lightning connector, you can keep using it without plugging anything in. However, you may want to follow the steps below to ensure your iPhone is completely dry for the best chance of avoiding damage:
Unplug any cables or accessories connected to your iPhone.
Hold your iPhone with the Lightning port facing down, then gently tap it with your palm to ease liquid out of the port.
Place your iPhone in an open, ventilated, dry space.
Wait for at least 30 minutes before using your device again.
If the same alert reappears, there may be liquid residue beneath the Lightning pins, leave your iPhone to dry for 24 hours before trying it again.
Find a cool, airy space to leave your iPhone while it dries out.
Do NOT Put Your iPhone in Rice!
There is a lot of bad advice online for liquid damaged iPhones. Most of this advice does nothing to fix your device, and in many cases, it causes more damage!
Please don’t try any of the following suggestions:
Don’t use a heat source to dry your iPhone, like a radiator or hair dryer.
Don’t insert anything into the Lightning port, like cotton buds or tissue.
And don’t put your iPhone in a container of rice or silica gel packets.
Don’t believe the rumors, it’s not a good idea to put your liquid damaged iPhone in rice!
Override the Liquid Detection Alert in an Emergency
There are times when you may want to risk damaging your iPhone in order to charge it while wet. In these emergency situations, it’s possible to override the liquid detection alert and charge your device even when wet.
Use the Emergency Override button to charge your wet iPhone.
It’s worth repeating that when you do this you run the risk of permanently damaging your iPhone. If possible, you should dry the outside of your iPhone and charge it wirelessly instead.
To override the liquid detection alert, simply reconnect the Lightning cable or accessory shortly after it appears. When the liquid detection alert pops up again, tap the Emergency Override button.
How to Turn Off Emergency Override
Some of our readers have encountered problems where they can’t turn off the Emergency Override feature. If you want to switch this feature off, the best thing to do is disconnect your charger. You can then plug your device in again and dismiss any Emergency Override notifications.
It’s a good idea to let your charger dry before trying to charge your device as normal again.
What If My iPhone Detects Liquid When It’s Dry?
On occasion, you might see the liquid detection alert when you’re absolutely certain your iPhone and Lightning connectors are dry. Perhaps your gadgets are brand new or you already allowed plenty of time for them to dry out.
Use a flashlight to inspect the Lightning port for dust and debris. Obstructions in the Lightning port can confuse the liquid sensors. If you find anything in there, clear it out with compressed air to avoid damaging the metal pins.
If you can’t see any debris, there’s a strong chance your iPhone’s Lightning port or the accessory you’re trying to use is damaged. Contact Apple or the accessory manufacturer to get technical support.
Reader Tips
One of our readers said that after seeing the “Liquid in Lightning Port” message, they turned their iPhone off and on again. After that, they were able to charge their iPhones like normal. So, if you’re still encountering this problem, you may wish to follow that tip.
It May be New to You, But It’s Not a New Alert
The liquid detection alert isn’t a new iPhone or iOS feature, but Apple has recently updated the icon. Now it has a yellow warning triangle with a blue water droplet inside it.
Let us know if your iPhone detected liquid in the Lightning connector and if the steps we outlined above helped you fix it. If you still can’t charge your iPhone, take a look at this post to see what else you can do to fix it.
Dan writes tutorials and troubleshooting guides to help people make the most of their technology. Before becoming a writer, he earned a BSc in Sound Technology, supervised repairs at an Apple Store, and even taught English in China.
Hi my iPhone 11 notified me that it detected liquid. By accident I clicked the over drive button. However I let it dry for about 2 hours and I then plugged it back in and it is charging but is that because I clicked the over drive button? As in will my phone continue to charge and the damage will continue on? Or will it notify me again about the water damage ?
I just got the warning sitting in my living room after charging for over an hour. And after three such warnings and making sure the Lightning connector was clean and dry, as well as the cable, my phone has accepted the cable, There was no sign of moisture or debris.
I have a 6-month-old XR which I’ve never got wet or submersed before.
Today my son put his wet finger on the charging port for a second and now I’m getting the liquid detector message and it won’t charge.
I don’t get how this can do that when it wasn’t even submerged and it’s waterproof.
What do I do.?
Is the phone faulty?
Is it worth getting it checked while it’s still new than find out later it’s not waterproof as claimed?
What would happen if I did submerge it?
My daughter has a 7 and has swum underwater with it lots of times, dropped in a stream where it was for 20 minutes before found again and she’s never had a problem. Thank you
To dry your iPhone XR, position the iPhone so the Lightning connector face down and gently smack it to remove any excess liquid. Do this for 30 seconds or so. Once done, place your iPhone in an area that has air flowing or use silica to dry it out.
It’s critical to NOT use it or power it on. Keep it unplugged and allow it to dry uninterrupted for at least 6-8 hours, and preferably more.
My phone is coming up with a Liquid detected in lightening connector but my charging hole isn’t wet and I am using new earphones , what can I do to stop this from happening ? Thanks chloe
I got the liquid in lightning port message. I turned my phone off, turned it back on . Warning disappeared and I was able to charge my phone.
Hi my iPhone 11 notified me that it detected liquid. By accident I clicked the over drive button. However I let it dry for about 2 hours and I then plugged it back in and it is charging but is that because I clicked the over drive button? As in will my phone continue to charge and the damage will continue on? Or will it notify me again about the water damage ?
i already touch the emergency override now my phone cant charge i do how to turn off this issue
I put my iPhone 12 Pro
in emergency override after few minutes my charger pot isn’t working ? Can you give me suggestions
I just got the warning sitting in my living room after charging for over an hour. And after three such warnings and making sure the Lightning connector was clean and dry, as well as the cable, my phone has accepted the cable, There was no sign of moisture or debris.
I have a 6-month-old XR which I’ve never got wet or submersed before.
Today my son put his wet finger on the charging port for a second and now I’m getting the liquid detector message and it won’t charge.
I don’t get how this can do that when it wasn’t even submerged and it’s waterproof.
What do I do.?
Is the phone faulty?
Is it worth getting it checked while it’s still new than find out later it’s not waterproof as claimed?
What would happen if I did submerge it?
My daughter has a 7 and has swum underwater with it lots of times, dropped in a stream where it was for 20 minutes before found again and she’s never had a problem. Thank you
Hi Emma,
At this time, no iPhone is waterproof. Instead, iPhones are water-resistant. Your iPhone XR is supposed to be resistant to accidental spills from common liquids–like water, juice, or soda.
To dry your iPhone XR, position the iPhone so the Lightning connector face down and gently smack it to remove any excess liquid. Do this for 30 seconds or so. Once done, place your iPhone in an area that has air flowing or use silica to dry it out.
It’s critical to NOT use it or power it on. Keep it unplugged and allow it to dry uninterrupted for at least 6-8 hours, and preferably more.
See this article for more guidance on how to handle an iPhone that got wet: Dropped your iPhone in water? Here’s what you need to do!
My phone is coming up with a Liquid detected in lightening connector but my charging hole isn’t wet and I am using new earphones , what can I do to stop this from happening ? Thanks chloe
Hi Chloe,
It’s possible that there is some debris or lint in that port. Try these tips to clean that lightning port : iPhone Not Charging? Lightning Port Problems? Fix
If the problem persists, try using silica gel to absorb any possible moisture: Use Silica Gel Packets to Dry Your Wet iPhone, iPad, or AirPods
Finally, if it still shows up, contact Apple Support or set up an appointment for face to face inspection and diagnostics. How To Set Up An Appointment At An Apple Store