Skip to content

What to Do If You Drop Your Phone in Water

Spilling water on your phone or dropping it in water can be extremely frustrating. Almost all of us have done it…in the pool, in the toilet, in a puddle, you name it.

Even if your phone won’t turn on, don’t panic! You can use the following techniques to save a wet phone.

Go ahead and bookmark this page because you never know when bad luck may strike! It’s best to be prepared.

How to get water out of your phone

The procedure for bringing a wet phone back to life is relatively simple.

We’ve made it even easier for you by breaking it down into 5 steps:

1 – Remove your phone from the liquid ASAP

In general, the longer your device is exposed to water, the worse the damage is likely to be. If you drop your phone in a liquid, take it out immediately and put it on a clean, dry surface.  Remove it carefully, because the liquid may spill all over the device if you move it too much.

You should also remove your phone’s protective case or screen ASAP because liquid may have leaked between it and the device.

2 – Turn off your phone and take out the battery

You probably know already that water and electricity don’t mix. Water can cause active electrical circuits to short out. However, it doesn’t have as devastating an effect on de-energized electronics.

That’s why it’s a good idea to turn off your smartphone as soon as possible if you drop it in water. Next, if you can (this isn’t possible for some models like iPhones), open your device and remove the battery.

If your phone has accessories or removable parts (SIM card, Micro-SD, etc.), you should remove them just in case.

3 – Blot with a clean cloth

Blot up any remaining liquid on your phone with a clean, absorbent cloth, blot. Want to dry out your phone’s charging port? Don’t insert a cloth or cotton swab. Let it air dry. You should also avoid pressing buttons unnecessarily.

That said, if your phone has come into contact with a sugary liquid (beer, juice, etc.) or salt water, you should first clean it with a slightly dampened cloth, then blot it with a dry cloth. This may seem counterintuitive, but you want to prevent salt or sugar crystals from forming as your device dries. Salt can also corrode certain electronics.

4 – Wait 24 hours

The next step is waiting! Place your phone on a clean, dry towel in a dry, well-ventilated area and let it air dry for at least 24 hours.

Do not use a hair dryer to try to speed up the process! The heat may damage fragile components of your phone and increase the damage.

5 – Test your device

With any luck, your phone will start working again once it’s completely dry.

Over the next few days, however, you should keep a close eye on how your device is working. You’ll need to see how it performs key tasks like playing music, taking pictures, etc., to find out if everything is working normally. If you notice any problems, seek advice from a professional. They can tell you if the problem can be fixed or if you should replace your phone.

Other ways to save a smartphone from water damage

While the above method is the best way to save your smartphone, the following tried and true strategies may work in certain situations.

Put your phone in a bag of rice

The theory is that uncooked rice absorbs moisture. Submerge your wet phone in a bowl of uncooked rice for 24 hours to effectively dry out the phone’s hard-to-reach areas.

This method is both accessible and affordable. After all, who doesn’t have a bag of rice in their pantry? If you do try this method, make sure you carefully wrap your device in paper towels before putting it in the rice to prevent rice grains from getting in the cracks or charging port.

Harness the power of synthetic desiccants

This option is a little less readily available than rice. But if you do have silica gel on hand, feel free to use it. Synthetic desiccants are generally much more effective than rice and greatly reduce drying time.

Try a specialized product

Want to fix your water damaged phone without rice? If you can get a hold of a small Dry-All bag, just put your phone in it for the suggested time (usually between 24 and 48 hours). Wet cell phone emergency kits can also be a great help. You can easily find them on the internet for under $20.

Still no luck? Replace your phone with one of our devices

Unfortunately, even if you’ve followed all of the tips in this article, your water damaged phone may be beyond repair. In that case, why not replace it with a rugged phone or a waterproof phone? You’ll be less likely to end up in the same waterlogged situation!

Don’t pay outrageous prices for a new phone. Choose a used smartphone instead. At Recycell, we offer used iPhone and Samsung phones so you can replace your smartphone without breaking the bank!

Share

More Posts

Have you been struggling with a display that keeps dimming despite your attempts to turn the...
Samsung Galaxy phones are often considered to be some of the best Android phones on the...
These days, it seems like more and more of our lives are contained in our smartphones....