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!

Not that long ago, it was easy to think that phones of the future would be able to control everything around us, have holographic screens, or look more futuristic than they do now.

Although we have already seen significant advancements in mobile phone technologies, developers still have a lot in store for our mobile phones.

Recycell will tell you about 5 mobile phone technologies you can look forward to having in the near future.

1. Internet of things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a number of devices or features being connected and operated through the internet on a single device, in this case your smartphone.

Smart homes are a great example of this. Using your phone, you can lock your doors, open your garage, control your security systems, and much more. The variety of devices we will be able to control from our mobile phones is only predicted to increase. We will soon be able to use IoT to its full potential.

2. Foldable phones

Foldable phones use a flexible plastic OLED display, allowing the phone to fold in half. Though they have already hit the market, their durability has been questioned up until now

Leading manufacturers such as Samsung are continuously working to make them more resistant to cracks and physical damage. Many manufacturers have also expressed interest in eventually making them more affordable as this phone technology becomes more common.

3. Battery improvements

Though battery improvements have already started to appear, with low power mode or phone battery life lasting the entire day, manufacturers are striving to further improve battery technologies.

Not only will the battery life of your phone itself be much better, but the charging time will also be significantly improved. This has already started being implemented, for example with the Huawei Mate Xs, whose battery can charge up to 85% in just 30 minutes.

Wireless charging is also expected to improve in 2021.

4. 5G technology

We already got a glimpse of 5G connectivity, which has the potential to be 100 times faster than 4G technology. But it is more than just being able to browse the internet at high speed. Every mobile network technology advance adds to what we can possibly do with the internet.

In short, 5G will likely lead to more cloud-based games, opportunities for automation, and more, all while supporting some of the other technologies mentioned in this article.

5. Upgraded AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is nothing new, but it is not currently being utilized to its full potential. This will likely change in 2021.

Machine learning algorithms and other AI phone technologies will play a role in providing solutions for us following health and infection rate data. This is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AI will also be useful for common everyday apps. It will be able to measure user experience and engagement to provide a better understanding of how these aspects can be improved. App developers can then access this information and use it to improve their apps.

Mobile phone technologies to look forward to

These were only a few of the many mobile phone technologies we can look forward to in the near future. Considering that most people nowadays have a smartphone, these mobile phone technologies are sure to be appreciated by many.

Looking for a new phone while waiting to see what 2021 has to offer? Keep an eye out on Recycell’s selection of used cell phones!

Smartphones have been quickly evolving in the last few years. From high quality cameras to fingerprint scanning and facial recognition, our phones have never been so “smart”.

As if these features were not enough, foldable phones are the latest trend on the market. But what exactly is a foldable phone?

Recycell gives you more information on this technology.

What exactly is a foldable phone?

No, we are not talking about flip phones from the early 2000s. Foldable phones are part of the latest smartphone technologies.

The most impressive feature that defines this new device is the fact that the screen itself is bendable and can be folded in half. Some models go from the size of a phone to a smaller design, while others go from the size of a phone to the size of a tablet.

Foldable phones can be used in their smaller, folded state, or in their wider form by unfolding them horizontally or vertically depending on the model. They are therefore appreciated for their large screens but compact design.

How do foldable phones work?

You may be wondering how something similar to the phone you currently have can possibly fold in half.

Whereas most smartphone screens are made of glass, foldable phones typically use flexible plastic OLED displays. This material is highly resistant to bending, although it is more likely to be scratched than your usual smartphone screen.

The manufacturing process and operating systems are also very different from regular smartphones, hence the reason there are not many on the market yet.

Foldable phones on the market

Apple has not yet released a foldable phone, but companies such as Samsung, LG, Huawei and more have already taken the opportunity to develop devices for this growing market.

Here are some of the leading foldable phones.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is not the first of Samsung’s foldable phone options, but it is the latest model. Whereas the Samsung Galaxy Fold folded vertically, this model folds horizontally for a more compact design.

This newer premium model made with ultra-thin glass offers 256GB of storage space with 8GB of RAM. The hinge can be opened at different angles and the content on your phone continuously adapts to fit this device.

Motorola Razr 5G (2020)

You may remember the original Motorola Razr flip phone from the early 2000s.

They have taken their iconic design and upgraded it with the latest technology to create the Motorola Razr 5G. They released the device in 2019 and the second generation 5G model in 2020. Similar to the model above, it features 256GB of storage with 8GB of RAM.

It also has an external camera that becomes a selfie camera when the device is folded.

Huawei Mate Xs

The Huawei Mate Xs is the second generation of their 2019 model.

It resembles a typical smartphone with a 6.6-inch screen, but it is essentially an 8-inch tablet when unfolded. It has even more storage than the previous models, with an impressive 512GB of space. It is also compatible with 5G networks.

One of their key features? The battery can charge up to 85% in as little as 30 minutes!

Not quite ready to purchase a foldable phone?

There you have it: the basics of foldable phones.

Considering that foldable phones are fairly recent, they are unfortunately still quite expensive, typically starting at just a little under $2,500. They may become more common and therefore more affordable in the years to come as technology evolves.

Until then, why not save some money and purchase a used cell phone from Recycell? Contact us if you have any questions!

Mobile phones have become essential tools of everyday life. These small devices allow you to do a variety of things at any time of the day, such as sending e-mails, buying goods online, accessing your bank account, etc. You can even save your credit card information to pay directly with your phone using contactless payment technology!

However, for all these reasons, you also need to make sure that your cell phone is well secured so that no hackers or scammers can access your personal information.

In this article, find some smartphone security tips that will help you better secure your phone.

Perform all updates on your smartphone

Whether you have a used cell phone or brand new smartphone, it’s essential to keep your operating system up to date. Dedicated specialists work every day to identify and repair potential flaws in cell phone software. Updates are therefore made to make the changes necessary for protecting your mobile device from these vulnerabilities.

Lock your mobile phone screen

Locking your smartphone is perhaps the easiest way to protect your device. There are several ways to lock your phone. You can use a code, a password, a pattern, or, on newer devices, a biometric tool such as facial and fingerprint recognition.

However, if you choose a code or password, consider it carefully so that you don’t choose something too common, such as “1234” or “password”. Choose a password that you will remember, but that cannot easily be guessed.

Check the permissions of your mobile applications

With your permission, some mobile applications might need access to tools on your phone to work. For example, Instagram needs your permission to access your camera and microphone to record photos and videos.

Before you install a new application, always verify what information and data it needs to access. You can always revoke these permissions at any time.

Avoid using social media and email on a public Wi-Fi network

Public Wi-Fi networks can be very useful if you need quick Internet access when you’re away from home. However, you should remain vigilant when using them since these networks are not secure.

If you connect to a public network, be careful not to use your social media, email and online shopping applications. Above all, never visit an unsecured website on a public network. These platforms, which may contain lots of your personal data, are not entirely safe to use on a public Wi-Fi network.

Smartphone security: better safe than sorry!

In short, securing your mobile phone is pretty easy. All you need to do is adopt good habits, such as locking your phone, checking your app permissions and always being vigilant about where you use your device.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this overview of best practices for improving your smartphone security!

At Recycell, we want to help you take better care of your mobile devices. For more tips on caring for your cell phone, visit our blog section.