PSA: YouTube Videos Really Can Get Some Water Out of Your iPhone

[MacRumors]

YouTube videos that play a low sound to vibrate water out of the speakers do, in fact, work, according to a deep dive done by The Verge's David Pierce and iFixit.

There are a number of YouTube videos that promise to be able to remove water from an iPhone using sound, and Pierce wanted to find out if they do what they claimed, so he asked iFixit for some help. iFixit dunked an iPhone 13 into water with UV dye, played the video, and then left it overnight to dry out.

Playing one of the YouTube videos during this process clearly expelled water from the iPhone's speaker, and the speakers of other smartphones that were tested from Google and Nokia. The water came out in an initial burst from the sound, but it is worth noting that the video was only able to remove water from the speaker area.

UV dye stained other areas of the iPhone when it was opened up, so the water wasn't draining from the entire phone. The oscillating tone in the YouTube videos is able to push water out of the speaker grille, but it is not a complete fix for a water-saturated device.

Water coming out of an iPhone's speaker when a low-toned sound is played, via The Verge and iFixit​

On the Apple Watch, Apple has a built-in feature that uses sound to expel water from the device, but that is more effective because it is a smaller object with fewer nooks and crannies than an iPhone.

Apple's modern iPhones have IP68 water and dust resistance, with the 8 representing water resistance. IPx8 means that the iPhone 15 can withstand splashes, rain, and accidental dunks up to six meters in depth for 30 minutes. iPhone waterproofing does deteriorate over time with wear and tear, and Apple does not cover water damage, so it is best to avoid water exposure when possible.

The Verge's full look at how these YouTube videos work is well worth checking out.

Article Link: PSA: YouTube Videos Really Can Get Some Water Out of Your iPhone

 

[jarman92]

PSA: You can also use this handy dandy Shortcut.

 

[jz0309]

PSA: if you keep your iPhone out of water or liquids you don’t have to worry about this.

 

[now i see it]

It works better in 4K

 

[vegetassj4]

Now you can use your iPhone to siphon water out of your toilet.

Plumbers hate this one simple trick

 

[DutchApplePie]

I've also seen dust eject out of the speaker grill when I've taken a call on speaker.

 

[bLackjackj]

Can we have an after 1 month look, when the rust has engaged into the speaker grill and board? 🤦‍♂️...I don't get it, there's no difference between a video and simply shaking the phone for the same amount of time, Lol

 

[winxmac]

It's the vibration due to audio whether music or video that causes liquid to be ejected from inside the smartphone, in this case the iPhone, thanks to the speaker and the Taptic Engine...

EDIT: It seems people who disagree don't know their Physics

 

[segfaultdotorg]

I use the iWater Pro app.

 

[Arran]

So it’s just the same principle as Apple Watch’s “water lock” unlocking tone applied to the iphone?

Topologically speaking, the water being ejected was never really “in” your phone in the first place.

 

[Jimmy Bubbles]

Next you’ll tell us how to avoid scratches on our screens…

 

[svish]

Might not always work. But still interesting to hear this

 

[JosephAW]

the tactic engine to cause it to land flat on its faceStill waiting for an iPhone that when detecting a fall activates the taptic engine to cause it to land flat on its face

 

[MartiNZ]

Definitely the best use of "deep dive", maybe ever.

 

[Porco]

It could be low vibrations on certain YouTube vids, but I think the water was just sick of hearing about that wallet by Bellroy, so left of its own accord.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

This one works best

 

[wolfshades]

Dear MacRumors,

Never thought it would happen to me. Not in a million years. But yeah- I dropped my iPhone 15 Pro Max into a toilet a week ago (no pee or deuces in there, thank God). Didn't put it in rice or microwave. Seems fine now. But my blood pressure went through the roof for a few minutes there.

 

[h00ligan]

Better PSA. One of these videos blew a speaker in my phone. True story.

 

[h00ligan]

Won’t let me edit the above so let me correct myself. It was a shortcut that blew a speaker.

Yes. Maybe the speaker was on its way out anyway but whatever the before case. It was played. The speaker blew.

 

[Unami]

I have been using my iPhones since the SE2 for the occasional underwater photos and videos. Using a shortcut to expel water from the speaker has always worked like a treat.

 

[ijordano]

Is this a surprise? Apple Watch has this built in