What To Do When Your Smartphone Falls In Water? (A Guide)

Its happened to the best of us: dropping our smartphone in water and feeling a wave of panic wash over us.

How do you know what to do in the moment and what steps to take to ensure your phone survives the unexpected dip? Whether youre dealing with a puddle, lake, or toilet, this guide will provide you with the tips and tricks you need to know to save your device and minimize water damage.

Heres what to do when your smartphone falls in water, from immediate steps to take to preventative measures to take in the future.

Table of Contents

Short Answer

If your smartphone has been submerged in water, the most important thing to do is to act quickly.

Take the phone out of the water, turn it off, and remove the battery and SIM card if possible.

Then, place the phone in a bowl of uncooked rice and leave it for 24-48 hours.

The rice will absorb any moisture that is left in the phone.

After the allotted time, take the phone out and reassemble it, then turn it on and see if it still works.

What To Do Immediately After Dropping Your Phone in Water

When your smartphone takes a dip in water, its important to act quickly to reduce the potential damage.

The first thing to do is to turn off the device, if you havent already.

By doing this, you can avoid any additional electricity running through the phone, which can cause further damage.

You should then take out the battery, if possible, and dry the phone off with a towel.

This will help remove any excess water that may still be lingering on the phone.

To further prevent any water damage, you can also place the phone in a bag of rice or silica gel.

Rice and silica gel both have the ability to draw out any remaining moisture, which can prevent corrosion and other serious damage.

If you dont have any rice or silica gel handy, you can use a vacuum cleaner to draw out moisture as well.

If, after all these steps, the phone still does not turn on, it may be time to take it to a repair shop.

Professional technicians can assess the damage and determine the best course of action.

If the water damage is extensive, it may be necessary to replace the phone entirely.

Disconnecting the Battery (If Possible)

When your smartphone falls in water, the first step is to turn off the device and remove the battery (if possible).

You must act quickly to avoid further water damage.

Disconnecting the battery is important because it helps prevent a short circuit.

When a battery is submerged in water, it can cause a short circuit in the device, which can damage the internal components of the phone.

If you are able to remove the battery, make sure to dry it off with a towel before putting it back into the device.

Also, be sure to keep the battery away from direct sunlight or heat, as this can also cause damage.

Once you have safely disconnected the battery, you can now proceed to the next step of drying out the phone.

Drying the Phone with a Towel

When your smartphone falls in water, the first thing you should do is to act fast.

Immediately turn off the device and remove the battery (if possible).

Then, the next step is to dry the phone with a towel.

It is important to gently dab the exterior of the phone, starting from the bottom to the top, and then to the sides of the device.

Make sure to avoid wiping the phone in a circular motion, as this could potentially force water further into the phone.

Dont forget to also dry the charging port and headphone jack, as these areas are particularly vulnerable to water damage.

It is also important to use a lint-free cloth or a microfiber cloth to do the job.

This is because regular cloths could leave fibres behind, which could potentially cause further damage.

To further prevent any water damage, you can also place the phone in a bag of rice or silica gel to draw out any remaining moisture.

If the phone still does not turn on, it may be time to take it to a repair shop.

Placing the Phone in a Bag of Rice or Silica Gel

When your smartphone has been submerged in water, the best thing you can do is to act quickly.

After turning it off and removing the battery (if possible), its time to dry the phone with a towel.

To further prevent any water damage, it is also recommended to place the phone in a bag of rice or silica gel.

This will draw out any remaining moisture that may still be inside the phone.

Rice is one of the most popular choices, as it is a natural desiccant and can absorb moisture from the air.

Silica gel is also an effective choice, as it is a synthetic desiccant that absorbs moisture just as well as rice.

When using either rice or silica gel, it is important to make sure that you thoroughly cover the phone with the material.

You can do this by placing the phone in a sealed container and then filling it with either rice or silica gel.

Make sure that the phone is completely surrounded by the material, as this will help draw out the remaining moisture from the phone.

It is also recommended to leave the phone in the container for at least 24 hours, as this will ensure that all of the remaining moisture has been absorbed.

Once the time has passed, you can then remove the phone from the container and check to see if it is working.

If the phone still does not turn on, it may be time to take it to a repair shop to have it professionally looked at.

However, with the help of a bag of rice or silica gel, you have done your best to protect your phone from any further water damage.

Taking the Phone to a Repair Shop

If your smartphone is still not working after you have tried to dry it out and replace the battery, it may be time to take it to a repair shop.

Depending on the severity of the water damage, it is possible that the device may need to be sent out to a professional repair shop for extensive repairs.

It is important to note that water damage can be extremely difficult to repair, and it is not always possible to restore the device to its original condition.

However, a professional repair shop may be able to identify and repair any components that were damaged due to the water.

Before taking your device to a repair shop, it is important to research different repair shops to ensure that you are taking your device to a reputable and experienced shop.

Additionally, it is important to ask the repair shop about their policies on water damage and their estimated timeline for repairs.

Once you have taken your device to a repair shop, they will be able to diagnose the damage and provide you with an estimate for the cost of repairs.

Depending on the severity of the damage, the repair shop may be able to repair the device in a matter of days, or it may take weeks or even months.

It is important to remember that water damage can be difficult and expensive to repair, and it is not always possible to restore the device to its original condition.

However, with the help of a professional repair shop, you may be able to get your device back up and running in no time.

Checking for Water Damage

If your phone has been submerged in water, it is essential to take immediate action.

The first step is to turn off the device and remove the battery, if possible.

This will help to prevent any further damage from occurring.

After the device is powered off, use a towel to dry the phone as much as possible.

This will help to remove any excess moisture.

Another important step is to check for any water damage.

This can be done by looking for any signs of corrosion or discoloration on the battery or around the ports on the device.

Additionally, check for any signs of condensation or a milky film on the internal components.

This is an indication of water damage and should be addressed as soon as possible.

If the phone has been exposed to water, it is also important to check the functionality of the device.

Try to power the device on, and if it does not turn on, it may be time to take it to a repair shop.

Additionally, check for any audio issues, such as buzzing or crackling, which could indicate water damage.

If any of these issues are present, it is important to take the device to a repair shop immediately.

Preventative Measures to Take

Its always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your smartphone and water.

Taking a few preventative measures can help ensure that your device is safe from any water damage.

Firstly, invest in a good quality, waterproof case for your smartphone.

This is a great way to prevent water from getting into the device in the first place.

Look for cases that are designed for the specific make and model of your phone, as these will provide the best protection.

You should also make sure to keep your phone away from any sources of water, such as pools, baths, and sinks.

If you are near water, be sure to keep a good grip on your phone and keep it away from the water.

If you are swimming, it is best to leave your phone on the shore.

Another good tip is to keep your phone away from other liquids, such as drinks or food.

If you are eating or drinking, it is best to keep your phone away from the spill zone.

If you do get liquid on your phone, make sure to dry it off immediately with a towel.

Finally, if you know you are going to be near water, you may want to invest in a waterproof pouch or bag.

These are designed to keep your phone dry, even if it is submerged in water.

This is a great way to provide an extra layer of protection for your phone.

Final Thoughts

Accidents happen, and your smartphone may not be immune.

If your smartphone has been submerged in water, the best thing you can do is to act fast.

Immediately turn off the device and remove the battery (if possible), then dry the phone with a towel.