"Liquid detected" on your iPhone charging port? 7 things to do

2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Unplug the cable, tap the iPhone gently against your hand with the charging port facing down, and leave it in a dry place with some airflow. Try charging again after at least 30 minutes. Drying fully can take up to 24 hours. Do not use heat, rice or cotton buds.

An iPhone XS, iPhone XR or later warns you when it finds liquid in the charging port or on the cable. The alert reads "Charging Not Available" or "Liquid Detected", and charging through the port is paused to protect the pins from corrosion.

Step by step

  1. Unplug everything

    Disconnect the cable from the iPhone and unplug the other end from the charger. Do not plug it back in while the port or the cable is wet.

  2. Tap the water out

    Hold the iPhone with the charging port facing down and tap it gently against your hand to remove excess liquid.

  3. Leave it to dry in moving air

    Put the iPhone in a dry place with some airflow, such as near an open window or a fan.

  4. Try again after 30 minutes

    After at least 30 minutes, connect the charger or accessory again.

  5. Give it up to a day

    If the alert comes back, liquid is still in the port or under the pins of the cable. Leave the iPhone in a dry place with airflow for up to 24 hours, and let the cable dry as well.

  6. Charge wirelessly in the meantime

    Wireless charging still works. Wipe the back of the iPhone dry first, then place it on a Qi or MagSafe charger.

  7. Try a different cable if the iPhone is dry

    If the alert appears every time with one cable or accessory while the phone is dry, that cable or accessory may be damaged. Use another one and contact its maker.

Good to know

Do not dry the iPhone with a hairdryer, a radiator or compressed air. Do not push a cotton bud or paper towel into the port, and do not put the phone in a bag of rice. Apple warns against all of these.

In an emergency you can override the alert and charge anyway: reconnect the cable and choose Emergency Override. Charging a wet port can damage the pins, so use this only when you must.

If the alert keeps appearing when both the iPhone and an Apple cable are dry, contact Apple Support, because the port may need service.

In short: Unplug, tap the port downwards, dry with airflow for 30 minutes to 24 hours, charge wirelessly meanwhile.

Sources
  • Apple Support: If you see a liquid-detection alert on your iPhone

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