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How to tell if your iPad has water damage, and what to do if it does

ipad water
There's no easy way to tell if your iPad has water damage, but there are a few things that might indicate damage. David Arky/Getty Images

  • It's not always easy to tell if your iPad has water damage — unlike an iPhone, where this is a specific indicator for water damage. 
  • If you suspect that your iPad has water damage, check for visible moisture behind the screen or camera lens. It's also a good idea to leave your iPad in a dry place for more than 24 hours before turning it on or connecting it to a charger again. 
  • In the case that you're experiencing technical difficulties after dropping your iPad in water, you should contact Apple for further support. 
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With an iPhone, Apple made it pretty easy to tell whether or not water may have damaged your device.

Depending on your iPhone model, you can look in the SIM card tray and shine a light into the phone, looking for the dreaded red color of the water damage indicator.

Also, unlike many iPhones, iPads are not especially water-resistant. So you should try your best to keep your iPad from getting wet. 

In the unfortunate case that it does, here's how to check if your iPad is damaged. 

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iPad (From $329.99 at Best Buy)

How to tell if your iPad has water damage

If water has spilled on your iPad, or you dropped it into the sink or a puddle, you'll need to quickly assess the damage.

Water damage might appear in the form of screen malfunctioning or any other number of glitches or technical difficulties. If you can see visible signs of moisture behind an iPad screen or camera lens, you are likely in trouble. It's a good idea to get your tablet to an Apple store or another trusted repair shop.

apple ipad
You may want to take your iPad into the Apple store if you suspect water damage. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

But if you can't clearly see water damage, it may only be detected by taking apart the iPad. If you're not a tech person, it's probably best not to try this yourself. If you are, once the iPad's screen is removed, look for corrosion or, of course, any other signs of water or moisture. 

And before you consider taking your iPad apart or taking it to someone else for disassembly, also consider just sitting tight for at least 24 hours (ideally more) with the iPad in a dry, room temperature place. Then turn it back on and see if it still works — if not, you'll want to contact Apple for support.

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