How to Fix a Water-DamagediPad
An iPad is bigger than an iPhone and has way more speakers. When it gets wet, the fix is different. Here's the lowdown on iPad water resistance (or lack thereof) and what to do next.
Key Takeaways
- Each Apple device has different water resistance. AirPods Pro: IPX4, Apple Watch: WR50, MacBook: none
- Apple Watch has built-in water ejection. Other devices need manual drying
- Universal rule: power off, wipe dry, air dry. Never use rice or hair dryers
Table of Contents
1. iPad Water Resistance (Spoiler: It Has None)
Bottom line: iPads have zero water resistance. That's right, none. Across all models, not a single iPad has an official IP rating for water resistance.
The Big Difference from iPhones
Since the iPhone 7, iPhones have had IP67/IP68 water resistance. But iPads? Zero. Zilch. Nada. You need to keep your iPad completely away from water. Even a small splash can get inside and cause serious damage.
2. Emergency First Aid
What to Do Right Now
Power It Down Immediately
First thing's first: if your iPad takes a dive, turn it off. Now. Hold the power button and slide to power off.
Remove the Case & Wipe It Down
Water loves to get trapped between the case and the screen, so get that case off right away.
Stand It Up, Ports Down
iPads are big, so stand it up on a towel with the speakers and charging port facing down. Let gravity do some of the work.
Dry It Out with Silica Gel
Grab a big Ziploc bag (gallon-size works), throw in a bunch of silica gel packets, and seal your iPad inside. Leave it for at least 48 hours.
3. The Most Common Accidents
Dropped it while watching Netflix in the tub. With zero water resistance, even a quick dip can be a disaster.
That cup of coffee next to your iPad on the table? Yeah, that one. Spills often seep in through the keyboard connector.
Got soaked in your backpack during a downpour. A waterproof bag is your best friend here.
It happens. Kids and iPads near water are a classic (and costly) combination.
4. How Much Will a Repair Cost?
This covers accidental damage for a replacement device at a fixed service fee.
For an iPad Pro, you could be looking at over ¥100,000. At that point, you have to weigh it against buying a new one.
Prices vary wildly depending on the model and the damage. The big plus? They can often save your data.
Got a Wet iPhone Speaker, Too?
If your iPhone got wet along with your iPad, use WaterKick to blast the water out of its speakers.
🚀 Download for FreeFor iOS 17+ / iPadOS 17+ ・ Free ・ No Ads
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Yep! WaterKick works on iPadOS 17 and later. It uses a 165Hz sound wave to eject water from your iPad's speakers.
Totally. You can find plenty of waterproof cases and stand-holders made for iPads. Since iPads have zero water resistance, a waterproof case is an absolute must if you're using it in the bath.