According to an in-depth investigation by The Verge’s David Pierce and iFixit, a YouTube video that plays a low tone through a speaker to make the water vibrate actually works.
There are a lot of YouTube videos out there claiming to use sound to remove water from an iPhone, and Pierce wanted to know if those videos worked as claimed, so he enlisted the help of iFixit, who submerged an iPhone 13 in water with UV dye, played a video and left it overnight, then dried it out.
Playing one of the YouTube videos during this process visibly expelled water from the iPhone’s speaker, as well as the speakers of other smartphones tested by Google and Nokia. It’s worth noting that while the water was initially expelled in a burst accompanied by a sound, the video only managed to remove the water from the speaker area.
The UV dye soaked into other parts of the iPhone when it was opened, preventing the water from draining from the entire phone. The vibration sound in the YouTube video can push water out of the speaker grill, but it won’t completely repair a water-logged device.
Water comes out of iPhone speakers when bass is played (via The Verge and iFixit)
The Apple Watch has a built-in feature that uses sound to flush water from the device, but because it’s smaller and has fewer nooks and crannies than the iPhone, it’s more effective.
Apple’s latest iPhones are IP68 water- and dust-resistant, with the 8 standing for water resistance. IPx8 means the iPhone 15 can withstand splashes, rain, and accidental submersion up to 6 metres for 30 minutes. Your iPhone’s water resistance will deteriorate over time, and Apple doesn’t guarantee against water damage, so it’s best to avoid exposing it to water whenever possible.
The Verge’s full explanation of how these YouTube videos work is worth a watch.