Liquid detected in Lightning Connector indicates that either your phone’s charging port or the lighting charging cable is wet or moist. Water resistance is built into every iPhone in Apple’s current lineup, but not all iPhones are water-resistant.
To clean the ”Lightning Port” on your iPhone, Apple recommends unplugging all cables and accessories and gently tapping your iPhone against your hand with the Lightning connector facing down to remove Liquid.
According to Apple, it may take 24 hours for your iPhone to dry completely. Cleaning it regularly can help prevent dirt and dust buildup.
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What Does the Presence of Liquid in the Lightning Connector Mean?
The “Liquid Detected in Lightning Connector” alert indicates that your phone’s charging port or the lighting charging cable is wet or moist.
There’re numerous possibilities, but here are a few of the most common:
- Shower – If you leave your iPhone in the bathroom while you shower, humidity levels can rise significantly, causing moisture to accumulate inside your charging port.
- Rain – If caught outside during a rainstorm or even a light shower, your phone may become wet.
- Jumping in the pool while holding your phone in your pocket will almost certainly get it wet!
- Spilled drink – another sure way to get your iPhone wet is to spill coffee or water on it.
Pro Tip: If you’re thinking about using a hair dryer do not use has it will not remove from inside your device and the heat from the dryer can cause damage to internal iPhone’s hardware.
What if My iPhone Is Waterproof?
Water resistance is built into every iPhone in Apple’s current lineup. It’s water-resistant if you’ve got an iPhone 8 or later.
However, just because your phone is water-resistant does not mean it’s immune to liquid damage.
Waterproof iPhones aren’t available. This means that if the metal components inside your phone come into contact with any Liquid, they will rust and stop working correctly.
The metal pins inside your lighting port are the same.
The Liquid shouldn’t harm the device permanently though because no electrical current flows through these metal pins (unless it leaves residue on the nails).
Apple consequently turns off the lighting connection automatically when your phone senses Liquid.
List of Water-Resistant iPhones
| iPhones | Water-Resistant |
|---|---|
| 4 & 4s | No |
| 5 & 5s | No |
| 6 & 6s | No |
| 7 & 7+ | No |
| 8 & 8+ | Yes |
| iPhone x & Xs Max | Yes |
| 11 & 11 Max | Yes |
| iPhone 12 series | Yes |
| iPhone 13 series | Yes |
| iPhone 14 series | Yes |
| iPhone 15 series | Yes |
What Actions Should You Take if You Find Liquid Within a Lightning Connector?
First and foremost, I strongly advise you to avoid using the “Emergency Override” option and instead give your phone enough time to dry.
You can even continue to use your phone as is! Press the “Dismiss” button. It should not be an issue and will not result in any additional damage. Just don’t connect anything to it!
I would take the following steps to ensure there is no permanent damage and to get your phone working again:
- Disconnect any cords or accessories from your iPhone.
- Hold your iPhone so that the Lightning connector is on the bottom.
- Firmly tap it with your palm to help ease any liquid out of the harbor.
- Place your iPhone in an open, ventilated, and dry space for at least 30 minutes before attempting to charge it again.
There may be liquid residue under the Lightning pins if you get the “Liquid Detected in Lightning Connector” notice. Before charging it again, at least 30 minutes should pass.
Repeat this process until the alert is removed.
Many iPhone users have told me that it took up to 24 hours for their phone to dry thoroughly and for the alert to go away. So, please be patient!
You can also refer to the video I’ve shared below to know more.
Charging Without a Cord
While you wait for the lightning port to dry, utilize a cordless charger. So, while you wait for it to totally dry out, you may use and charge your phone.
This has just happened to me. I was absent-minded when my iPhone fell into the tub and was completely submerged for about 10 seconds.
When I charged it using the lighting cable, I got the Liquid Detected in a Lightning Connector warning message.
I continued to use my phone, and when it came time to charge it later that day, I did it with my cordless charger. It performed flawlessly. My phone was totally dry the next day, and the lightning charger was functional once again.
If you don’t have a cordless charger, Apple sells one called the MagSafe charger, but there are also many aftermarket options on Amazon.
Keep in mind that you need an iPhone 8 or later! Previous models did not support wireless charging.
Tips to Remove Water From Your Charging Port
First and foremost, how do you know if you’ve water in your charging port? Your phone will inform you. A warning message informing you that liquid has been discovered in the Lightning port or cable may show up when you connect your iPhone to charge.
Once the Lightning port and cord are fully dry, charging will stop.
Apple recommends unplugging all cables and accessories and gently tapping your iPhone against your hand with the Lightning connector facing down to remove Liquid from your charging port.
How to Clean Your Charging Port?
Keep your iPhone in a clean, dry place with good airflow. According to Apple, it may take 24 hours for your iPhone to dry completely.
Don’t dry your iPhone with an external heat source, compressed air, or a bag of rice, as this could permanently damage the device. These strategies may also assist you in saving your wet iPhone.
How to Maintain Your iPhone?
Now that you’ve learned how to clean an iPhone charging port, it’s time to maintain it. Cleaning it regularly with the above methods can help prevent dirt and dust buildup.
According to Manuel, the port cannot be protected from daily wear and tear, but cleaning it regularly will help you avoid the dreaded “iPhone not charging” error.
When Should the Liquid Detection Alert Be Ignored?
While it’s not ideal, there are times when you may want to risk damaging your iPhone to charge it, even if it’s wet. It’s possible to override the alert and charge your device in these emergency situations.
It bears repeating that doing so risks permanently damaging your phone. Water and electricity are incompatible!
However, if you do choose to ignore the warning, you should first thoroughly dry the outside of your iPhone and consider charging it wirelessly instead.
Reconnect the lighting cable or accessory shortly after the liquid detection alert overrides it. When the liquid detection alert appears again, select “Emergency Override.”
The Emergency Overrides Are not Working
Regardless of the warning, choosing “Emergency Override” will typically still let you charge your iPhone.
However, when you click this override, the alert disappears, but your iPhone continues to refuse to charge.
This appears to be a bug that Apple hasn’t yet resolved. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to fix/avoid this:
- Press the dismiss button to force restart the iPhone. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo shows on the screen, then click the volume up, volume down, and side buttons.
- Use only Apple chargers! For whatever reason, aftermarket chargers cause this alert.
- When wireless charging is an option, utilize MagSafe.
FAQs
Why Does My iPhone Say Liquid Detected Even Though it Is Completely Dry?
Dismiss It.
Although an iOS 14 bug most likely causes the liquid-detection popup, you should inspect your iPhone’s charging port for any signs of water.
Perhaps Liquid accidentally entered your device without your knowledge. The Dismiss and Emergency Override buttons are included in the pop-up.
How Do I Clean the Charging Port on My iPhone?
With the Lightning connector facing down, gently tap your fingers against your iPhone to wipe away any excess liquid.
Place your iPhone in a dry, well-ventilated area. After at least 30 minutes, try using a Lightning cable to charge or attach a Lightning accessory.
What Happens if a Wet iPhone Is Charged?
While your iPhone is drying out, avoid plugging anything into its Lightning port, such as headphones or another charger.
The hardware of your iPhone may suffer long-term harm from the liquid in the Lightning connector.
Conclusion
- Liquid detected in Lightning Connector indicates that either your phone’s charging port or the lighting charging cable is wet or moist.
- Water resistance is built into every iPhone in Apple’s current lineup, but not all iPhones are water-resistant.
- To remove water from your iPhone’s Lightning port, Apple recommends unplugging all cables and accessories and gently tapping your iPhone against your hand with the Lightning connector facing down to remove Liquid.
- You can also use a cordless charger while you wait for the port to dry out.
- You may want to risk damaging your iPhone to charge it, even if it’s wet.
- According to Apple, it may take up to 24 hours for your iPhone to dry completely. Cleaning it regularly can help prevent dirt and dust build-up.