A YouTube video claiming that sound can expel water from iPhone speakers has taken the internet by storm, amassing a staggering 45 million views in just four years. The video, titled “Sound To Remove Water From Phone Speaker (GUARANTEED),” has sparked both widespread skepticism and fervent support, with over 140,000 comments from viewers—many of whom swear by its effectiveness.
Intrigued by the viral phenomenon, David Pierce, a technology columnist for The Verge, decided to put the method to the test after his nephew’s iPhone took an unexpected plunge into a river. “We miraculously found the phone, brought it home, and began the drying process,” Pierce recalls. “One of his friends suggested using this video to push the water out. We played the video, and to our surprise, the phone was fine afterward.” But was this just a stroke of luck, or is there some science behind the method? Curious, Pierce reached out to Apple.
Though Apple declined to comment on the viral video, it’s worth noting that the water ejection feature on the Apple Watch operates on a similar principle. However, audio experts from Bose were more forthcoming. Eric Freeman, Senior Director of Research at Bose, confirmed the plausibility of the theory, explaining, “Speakers move air, and if they move enough air with enough force, they can push out liquid droplets. The lowest tone a speaker can produce at maximum volume creates the most air movement, which can press against any water inside the phone.”
In an experiment conducted by iFixit, the team tested the sound method on four different smartphones, including an iPhone 13. During video playback, close-up shots of each speaker clearly showed droplets being expelled from the device. The effect was brief, but the water did come out, proving that the method has some merit.
However, the method’s effectiveness is limited to the speakers. If water has seeped into the USB port, SIM card slot, or beneath the buttons, the video won’t be of much help. Still, for those dealing with waterlogged speakers after an unexpected splash, this viral sound trick might just be worth a try.
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