How To Save Your Phone From Water Damage

Washing machines, toilets, baths, cups of tea, beer pint, the rainy weather… these are a few of our favourite ways to ruin a smart phone. How to save a wet mobile phone – and what not to do and How to Save a Wet Cell Phone articles tells that usually you don’t need to panic — just follow some steps and you’ll have a good chance of breathing life back into your drowned smart phone.

Firstly, retrieve your handset from the drink straight away. Be quick. A prolonged plunge will increase the risk of damage. The best thing to do is to turn off the power and immediately pull out the battery (if possible). Dry off everything with a towel, including the exterior of your handset, being careful not to let any water drain into openings on the phone. Remove accessories, SIM card and memory card.

Desiccant materials, such as rice or silica gel packs, have hygroscopic properties that can attract and absorb moisture. Place your phone in an airtight container and completely cover it with your choice of desiccant for 24-48 hours. When you’re confident it’s dried out, replace the battery and try switching it on. Very often they will work well when they are dry, but sometimes they won’t work. Good luck!

How to Save a Wet Cell Phone article mentions that you can try to suck the liquid out of the inner parts of the phone using a vacuum cleaner. You can try to remove all residual moisture from extremely short water exposure by drawing it away with a vacuum cleaner held over the affected areas for up to 20 minutes. The same article also says that contrary to common advice, it is not recommended that you use a hair dryer (not even on the “cold” mode) to dry out the phone. Using a hair dryer may force moisture further into the small components, deep inside the phone, as the air blows inward.

While dismantling your phone completely would help it to dry out more effectively, doing so will void your warranty. It usually requires specialist tools and may jeopardise your phone if you’re not careful, so I don’t recommend it, unless you are a specialist in repairing small gadgets. If you go this route How To Repair A Water Damaged Cell Phone article recommends to try to clean the circuit board with spirit (99% isopropyl alcohol) using a brush. This prevents corrosion on the PCB.

Minute Hacks: How To Save Your Phone From Water Damage video has the instructions in easy to follow video format:

Now you know the first aid for a wet smart phone. Next time you smart phone gets wet you know what to do. Let them dry out before trying to use them.

How to Fix Water Damaged Phones Featured gives some more tips what to try if first-aid did not help. When all else fails, get a new phone. You should try to get into the habit of backing up your phone on a monthly basis, so you don’t loose too much of your important information that is stored on your smart phone.