iPhone 7 and later offer water resistance, but it’s not foolproof. If your device does take a dive, you may need to eject the water to prevent damage.
The Water Eject shortcut does just that. When run, the shortcut plays a low-frequency tone that’s known to push out water.
Water Damage
As a beacon of technology and our connection to the digital world, it can be devastating when your iPhone encounters its nemesis: water. The combination of moisture and electronics can cause short circuits, corrosion, and irreparable damage. But with the right preventive measures and knowledge of how to respond when accidents happen, you can minimize the impact and potentially save your device.
The first step in addressing an iPhone that’s been dropped in water is to remove it from the liquid as quickly as possible. Depending on the temperature of the liquid and how long it has been in contact with the phone, some water may be able to evaporate on its own. Nonetheless, you should power off the iPhone and take steps to dry it.
Remove accessories: Turn off the iPhone, then remove any cases or screen protectors. Wipe the exterior: Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off any visible moisture. Do not use a hairdryer or apply any heat, as this can further damage the internal components. Dry the interior: Position the iPhone in a warm, dry place with good airflow to facilitate the drying process.
It’s also helpful to have a shortcut available that produces a series of sounds and vibrations designed to help dislodge any remaining water. To download the Water Eject shortcut, visit iCloud and tap Get Shortcut at the bottom of the screen. Then, open the shortcut and tap Get Started.
Once the iPhone is completely dry, you can try to power it on. If it fails to turn on or shows signs of other problems, such as poor service, it’s time to call a professional. If your iPhone is still new, you can add Apple Care or insurance through your wireless carrier to cover accidental drops and other mishaps. You’ll have to pay a deductible, but it’s much less than the cost of a replacement. And it may be worth the extra investment if you’re worried about the risk of water damage.
How to Eject Water
The iPhone 7 and later offer splash, water, and dust resistance, but even a quick rain shower or accidental photo snap while swimming can put your phone to the test. To help prevent serious damage, you should eject any trapped water as soon as possible. There are plenty of methods to do this, from rice and silica packets to Apple’s own Siri shortcut.
In the case of the latter, it’s called “Water Eject.” It’s designed to use your speaker to eject water from crevices and openings, using a tone that produces sound vibrations at a specific frequency. It’s available from the Shortcuts app, which comes preinstalled on most iPhones (if not, you can download it on any iOS device by visiting this link and tapping Get Shortcut and then Add Shortcut). To activate it, either say “Hey Siri, run Water Eject,” or open the Shortcuts app and tap the icon to launch it. Then, just tap “Begin Water Ejection” and wait for your device to vibrate until any unwanted water is ejected from the speakers.
This process may not work in all cases, and you’ll want to consult a professional to make sure your phone is safe before trying anything too drastic. But for the average user, it’s a simple shortcut that can potentially save your device from a costly and time-consuming repair bill.
The best part is that this is a free solution that you can try at home. You can also add it to your home screen or widgets, so you can access it easily when needed. And with the shortcut’s UI, it’s easy enough for even novice users to follow without any complicated instructions or settings. It’s a useful tool to keep around in case of an unexpected emergency.
How to Remove Water from the Speakers
Even though most name-brand smartphones are water resistant, and the latest iPhones have an IP68 rating that can be submerged in 6 meters of water for 30 minutes, it’s still possible for water to seep into the connection ports and speaker grilles on any smartphone. In many cases, a quick response will help prevent long-term moisture damage. Thankfully, there are some simple methods for removing water from an iPhone that you can try on your own before calling in professional assistance.
The most common method for removing water from the speakers on an iphone is to simply play a low-frequency tone. This trick works on any smartphone, and it’s especially effective for iPhones because the sound waves will penetrate deep into the crevices of the speaker, helping to push out water or other liquids. The process is quick and simple, and it can be done right at home.
Another way to remove water from the speaker on an iphone is by using a special app or website that uses specialized audio to vibrate the phone and dislodge the trapped water. These apps are easy to use and available for free, and they’re often much faster than putting your phone in rice. This method can also be a lot less risky than trying to open the phone yourself, and it’s a great option for anyone who wants a quick fix for their wet phone.
Finally, a quick way to remove water from the speaker on an iPhone is by using an app or website that uses ultrasound technology. This method uses high-frequency vibrations to push out the water, and it’s very effective. It’s also a lot faster than the traditional rice method and requires no technical knowledge.
Apple introduced a feature on the Apple Watch called Water Eject, which plays a series of sounds to eject water that has accumulated in the speaker holes. This feature hasn’t been officially brought over to the iPhone, but you can get similar functionality by using a Shortcut in the Shortcuts app. The shortcut is called “Water Eject,” and it plays a very low-frequency sound of 165Hz for 12 seconds to help eject any water or other liquid that has collected in the speaker holes.
Removing Water from the Battery
Modern name-brand iPhones offer a certain degree of water resistance, but they aren’t waterproof. They are permeable, and water can get into their connection ports and speaker grilles if they are submerged or splashed with liquid. If your iPhone is exposed to liquid, you should take steps to remove the water from the phone as quickly as possible. This way, you can avoid water damage and other issues such as a shortened battery life.
There are a few ways to do this, but the easiest is to use a shortcut on your iPhone. The free Water Eject shortcut will blast out any water that is inside your speaker grilles or charging port, and it’s compatible with all recent iPhones running iOS 12 or later. You can find it in the Shortcuts app, which is included on all new iPhones. To add the shortcut, open the Shortcuts app and tap “Add Shortcut” in the Gallery tab. Once you’ve added the shortcut, tap it to run it.
After tapping the Water Eject shortcut, your iPhone will begin vibrating in a series of low frequencies. This will agitate the water and help eject it. When the timer runs out, your iPhone will shut off and the speakers will stop buzzing.
Conclusion
The effectiveness of the shortcut can vary, depending on how much water is present and how long it was submerged in water. It may be able to remove most or all of the water, but it is not a foolproof solution and you should seek professional assistance to make sure that any water damage is addressed.
Once the phone is dry, you can reconnect any accessories and charge it. During this time, you should leave the phone in a well-ventilated area to allow it to dry completely. It may take up to 24 hours for your phone to fully dry out.
Lucas writes about personal tech, streaming and video games for publications like Reader’s Digest, U.S. News & World Report, SlickDeals and Digital Trends. He has had an interest in computers and consumer technology since he was 4 years old and got his first Nintendo.