Most Americans change phones every 2 years, but many people will replace their phone even sooner if it gets damaged. When you drop your phone in water or spill something on it, it’s tempting to throw it away and get a new one. But there are ways to save your phone and recover your precious contacts and selfies.
Keep reading for how to deal with a dropped phone in water so your phone doesn’t get damaged beyond repair.
What to Do After You’ve Dropped Phone in Water
If you’ve already retrieved the dropped phone, there are a few things that might save your device from an untimely death.
First, check the time. If it’s been less than 30 minutes since the incident, there’s still hope for fixing your phone! Phones that have been submerged in water for longer periods can still be salvaged, but it will take a few days longer for them to dry.
You can use the tips below as a guide to help reactivate your phone.
Turn Off Your Phone
Turning off your device is important because if there’s a short circuit or electrical fault, turning off that component will stop any further damage. If your phone isn’t responding to you pressing the power button, remove the battery instead. This will disable any power sources that may be causing problems.
Check Your Warranty
If a warranty still covers your phone and it has water damage, you may be able to get a free repair or replacement. Check with the manufacturer of your device to see if they offer any type of protection plan.
You can also look at your carrier websites for information about your phone plan. It may cover hardware and software issues, so it’ll handle accidental drops as well.
If there’s no coverage available through either source, consider purchasing insurance from an independent company. These options are often more affordable than manufacturer warranties because they don’t require long-term contracts or high monthly fees. You’ll pay a flat rate based on what kind of coverage you want.
You should know that phones with severe water damage may not be able to get insurance coverage. It’s best to perform a DIY phone repair in these cases.
Remove the Battery
Like turning off your phone, removing the battery will also help prevent damage to other components and reduce any risk of short-circuiting. To do this, start by removing any covers that may be on your phone. Then, use a coin or credit card to pry open the rear panel.
Gentle Rinse
If you’ve dropped your phone in salt water, give your device a gentle rinse with clean drinking water. This will help prevent corrosion from forming later on.
Dry the Phone
Once you’ve shaken the water out of your phone, dry it off with a soft cloth. Make sure to dry off the battery as well. If there are removable pieces, such as the SIM card, pay special attention to those.
What Not to Do After Dropping Your Phone in Water
Don’t turn on your phone. This is the most obvious mistake, but it’s also the most important one to avoid. If you turn on your phone, you risk shorting out the circuits and causing even more damage than there already is.
Here are some other mistakes to avoid.
Do Not Charge Your Phone
Charging a wet phone can damage the battery. It can also cause water to leak into the device, which could result in permanent damage or even an explosion.
Avoid Blow Dryers
While the heat from a blow dryer can help dry your device faster, it can also cause more damage if you’re not careful. Blow drying will increase the temperature inside the phone and could lead to internal damage.
If you don’t have access to another means of drying your phone, use the blow dryer on its lowest setting and keep it a few inches away from the device.
Steer Clear of Headphones
If your phone fell into the water while the headphones were connected, remove them. The headphones could lead to moisture being trapped inside the device, which can create problems.
How to Save Your Phone
While many at-home remedies help remove water in phones, it’s always best to visit FruitFixed.com and get advice from the experts. But if you want to exhaust all your options before you make a trip to the store, try these steps.
Put Your Phone in Rice
You can try to save your phone by placing it in a bowl or bag of uncooked rice. This will help soak up the moisture, but be aware that this method isn’t guaranteed to work.
Remove the battery and SIM card from your phone before you put the device in the uncooked rice. Starches from the rice may damage these components.
Leave the phone in rice for several hours before trying to turn it on again.
Dry on the Counter
If the water damage was minimal, let your phone sit on a countertop for a few hours until all moisture has evaporated from inside its case and body. This will also help prevent corrosion from forming on sensitive internal components like batteries or circuit boards.
Make sure your phone isn’t in direct sunlight. Intense heat can damage your phone just as much as water.
Water and Baking Soda
A water and baking soda mixture can clean up small amounts of water damage. Only add a little bit of baking soda because it can cause corrosion in high concentrations.
Wipe the solution over your phone with a cloth to remove the moisture. Once you’ve cleaned it up, let your phone sit in a bowl of baking soda overnight to absorb any remaining water.
When to Call a Professional
Phone troubleshooting is a process that requires some patience because it can take days to see results. If you’ve tried all the above methods and they don’t work, there may be something wrong with your phone that only a professional can fix.
The longer you wait, the less likely it is that you’ll be able to recover your photos, contacts, and other important information.
Try Water-Resistant Phones
Water-resistant phones are usually more expensive. They also don’t come with any guarantees that water won’t damage them. On the bright side, they’re less likely to break when submerged in water for a few minutes.
Below are a few water-resistant models with impressive ratings.
iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 is equipped with a water-resistant body and dust-resistant features, so it can withstand being submerged in up to 19 feet (6 meters) of water for 30 minutes. It may not survive the same conditions in salt water, so avoid taking your phone on the beach without a protective covering.
Samsung Galaxy S22
The Samsung Galaxy S22 supports IP68 water and dust resistance. If you drop your phone in the toilet or accidentally spill some liquid on it while out at dinner, there’s no need to panic. Just take out the SIM card and wipe off any excess moisture with a towel to prevent any damage.
Google Pixel 7
If you’re looking for something more affordable than an iPhone but still want water-resistant features, this may be just what you’re looking for. The Google Pixel 7 is a great phone for people who want a high-quality camera that lets them take underwater pictures. The Pixel 7 can be immersed in water to a depth of about 4 feet (1.5 meters) for up to 30 minutes without sustaining damage.
Huawei P30 Pro
If you’re looking for a budget phone that’s also water-resistant, the Huawei P30 Pro is one of the best options out there. You can take this device with you in the shower or carry it in fresh water for about 30 minutes.
Don’t take it too deep below the waterline, though. The phone gets damaged below 4 feet (1.5 meters) of water.
Start Enjoying Your Phone Again
Now that you know how to deal with a dropped phone in water, it’s important to act quickly. Don’t turn the phone on or plug it in to charge. Get a bag of rice and stick the phone inside it immediately to draw out the water.
If that method doesn’t work, contact a phone repair company in your area to see if they have a drying chamber. When your phone’s up and running again, check out our tech section for fun ways to use your device.
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