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iPad stuck in Apple logo boot loop after water exposure

Hello! my Drawing Ipad was in a lightly damp bag, (I got rained on horribly Saturday, and used the bag on Monday, thinking it would have dried out) and so when it was acting weird I shut it off like I was seeing I should do, it’s been 48 hours of having time to dry, when I turn it on I still see a flashing apple logo (Note: The day I got home and opened my device it was working fine aside from the charging, sometimes it just glitches so I restarted my device like I normally do when that problem comes up, but when I did that it ended up in the Apple reboot loop)


please help!! I really want to get back to my digital art, do I plug it in to see if it’s just the battery being dead or do I avoid that, I don’t wanna ruin it I don’t have a lot of my stuff from there on other devices :c

3 replies

As described, your iPad has likely suffered internal damage - and may already be beyond repair.


Water and electronics generally do not make happy bedfellows. Your iPad is not designed to be water resistant. While it may survive being splashed with water if immediately dried, it will almost certainly suffer irreparable damage if it is allowed to get wet, is exposed to prolonged moisture, or is submerged for any length of time.


If the worst should happen, speed is essential. If the iPad gets wet, it should be immediately dried with an absorbent towel - then set aside in a warm, dry location to throughly dry. If the iPad should be turned-off - and no attempt made to turn-on, use, or charge the iPad until you are absolutely certain that the iPad has fully dried out. Pay particular attention to the charging port.


Never use rice as a desiccant to dry-out an iPad - as dust from the rice will cause more damage and promote mould growth. You can, however, safely use silica gell sachets as a drying agent.


You would be best advised to visit to the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to test and assess your iPad - and you can explore your available options:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Welcome and thank you for reaching out. 🤗


I used to manufacture Lithium Ion batteries and will advise the following:

  1. Power it off and never use it again.
  2. If the internal cells are exposed to water, there will be an explosion. 💥
  3. Take it to a nearby local Apple Retail Store and explain the situation and allow them the opportunity to offer a reasonable outcome for you.


That’s my advice.


Good luck! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer

For practical purposes, in lieu of repairing and returning your own iPad, Apple usually exchange a qualifying iPad for a renewed/refurbished iPad of the same model and specification. The cost of the exchange is the same as would otherwise be charged for repair. Unless you have benefit of an active AppleCare plan, an out-of-warranty repair/exchange will be expensive but somewhat less than the cost of a new iPad.


As for out-of-warranty repair costs, Apple offers a fixed-price price repair. You can verify eligibility and cost for your region/country here:

iPad Repair & Service - Apple Support


If you have an active AppleCare+ plan, the cost of repair is reduced to a small excess/deductible fee.