iPad Water Damage: What Actually Saves Your Tablet

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

A teacher brought in her school iPad last month. A student had knocked a water bottle across the desk. She'd put it in rice for two days, hoping for the best. By the time we opened it, corrosion had spread across the logic board. We've seen this exact scenario play out hundreds of times over our 27 years of repair work.

Here's what most people don't realise: iPads have essentially no water resistance. Unlike iPhones (which have IP68 ratings, however imperfect), most iPads have zero water protection. When water gets inside, damage happens fast. If your iPad is already not turning on or showing a black screen after water exposure, time is critical.

Warning

iPad wet right now? Turn it off immediately. Remove any case. Do NOT charge it. Do NOT put it in rice. Get it to a repair specialist today, not tomorrow. Speed is the single biggest factor in whether your iPad survives.

Did You Know?

Our iPad Water Damage Repair Results (2025)

• • 312 water-damaged iPads treated - professional ultrasonic cleaning
• • 73% success rate when brought within 24 hours
• • Only 31% success rate after rice/waiting - time kills iPads
• • Most common liquid: Tea/coffee (34%), followed by water (28%)
• • Most vulnerable model: iPad Pro 11" - speakers trap water
• • Average data recovery success: 89% when device won't power on

Data from celltech repair logs, January-December 2025

First 5 Minutes: What to Do

If your iPad just got wet, do this immediately:

1. Get it out of the water — Every second submerged is more water inside
2. Turn it OFF — If it's on, power down immediately. If off, leave it off. Don't check if it works.
3. Remove the case — Cases trap water against the iPad
4. Remove the SIM tray — On cellular models, this helps water escape and air circulate
5. Tilt and shake gently — Let gravity help. Charging port facing down.
6. Pat dry with a cloth — Absorb surface water, don't push it into speakers

Pro Tip

What NOT to do: Don't charge it (causes short circuits). Don't use a hairdryer (heat damages components). Don't put it in rice (wastes time while corrosion spreads). Don't shake it violently (spreads water further inside).

The Rice Myth (It Doesn't Work)

The rice myth persists because it feels like you're doing something. You're not.

Rice absorbs moisture - but far too slowly to prevent corrosion. Research shows rice is barely more effective than simply leaving a device in open air. Meanwhile, corrosion begins within minutes of water entering your iPad. By the time rice has absorbed any meaningful moisture, the damage is done.

Why Rice Fails

• Rice absorbs moisture too slowly (24-48 hours vs minutes for corrosion to start)
• Rice can introduce dust and starch into the device
• Time spent in rice is time corrosion is spreading
• Rice doesn't address minerals left behind by evaporating water

What Actually Works

Professional ultrasonic cleaning. This uses high-frequency sound waves in specialised cleaning solution to remove water, minerals, and early corrosion from every component. It's what we do, and it's what saves iPads.

Our Recovery Process

1. Complete disassembly
   We open the iPad completely, disconnecting the battery first for safety.
2. Initial inspection
   Microscope examination to assess water spread and corrosion extent.
3. Ultrasonic cleaning
   Components are cleaned in specialised solution to remove minerals and corrosion.
4. Isopropyl rinse
   High-purity alcohol displaces water and speeds drying without residue.
5. Controlled drying
   Proper drying time - rushing this stage causes problems.
6. Detailed inspection
   Check for remaining corrosion or damaged components.
7. Component repair/replacement
   Any damaged chips or components are repaired or replaced.
8. Reassembly and testing
   Full function testing before returning your iPad.

What Determines Recovery Success

Factors In Your Favour

• Speed: iPads brought in same-day have the best outcomes
• Power off immediately: Short circuits cause most damage
• Fresh water: Better than salt water, chlorine, or sugary drinks
• Brief exposure: A quick splash is better than prolonged submersion

Factors Against You

• Delayed treatment: Days of corrosion spreading
• Tried to charge it: Short circuits cause immediate damage
• Salt water or pool water: More corrosive than fresh water
• Previous water damage: Second exposure is often worse

Did You Know?

Honest assessment: The majority of water-damaged iPads we receive can be saved if treated quickly. But we can't save everything. If the logic board is too corroded, repair isn't possible. We'll always be honest about the outlook.

Water Damage Repair Costs

About iPad Water Resistance

Here's something most people don't know: most iPads have zero water resistance rating. This is different from iPhones, which have been IP68 rated since the iPhone 7.

iPad Water Resistance by Model

• iPad Pro M4 (2024): IP68 rated (first iPad with official rating)
• All other iPads: No official water resistance

Even the iPad Pro M4's IP68 rating doesn't guarantee protection. IP ratings are tested in fresh water under controlled conditions with new seals. Real-world performance varies, and Apple's warranty explicitly excludes water damage.

Warning

Treat every iPad as if it has no water protection — because most genuinely don't. Unlike iPhones, iPads were never designed to resist water. Be extra careful around pools, beaches, and bathrooms.

iPad Got Wet?

Time is critical. Bring your iPad in today — not tomorrow, not after the weekend. The faster we can start cleaning, the better your chances.

Visit us: Byte, Dovehouse Parade, Solihull.
Mail-in: For water damage, we recommend walk-in where possible for fastest treatment.