Water damage is one of the most common ways that cell phones can be damaged. If a phone is dropped in water or exposed to moisture, it can cause serious issues like shorts, corrosion, and permanent component failure. But what if your phone gets wet – can it dry itself out and fix the water damage on its own?
What happens when a phone is exposed to moisture
When a phone comes into contact with water or moisture, it can cause issues both immediately and over time:
- Short circuits – Water is conductive and can short circuit the delicate electronics inside a phone, causing it to malfunction or stop working immediately.
- Corrosion – Moisture causes oxidation over time, which can corrode and damage metallic components and connections inside the phone.
- Residual deposits – Minerals and contaminants in water can leave behind residue when they dry, which can interfere with electrical contacts and connections.
- Component damage – Moisture can damage fragile components like the screen, camera, speakers, and microphones.
So exposure to water, even in small amounts, can start damaging processes that worsen over time. The longer the phone remains wet on the inside, the more extensive the damage can be.
Can a wet phone fix itself? Factors to consider
Phones are complex electronic devices, and manufacturers go to great lengths to protect the internal components from moisture. Here are some key factors to consider:
Water resistance ratings
Some newer phone models have water resistance ratings, like IP67 or IP68. These ratings indicate the phone has some level of protection against water and dust ingress. A phone with a water resistance rating may be able to withstand a quick splash or brief water submersion without long-term issues. However, these ratings are not infinite, and long exposure can still cause problems.
Internal barriers
Phone manufacturers use adhesives and seals around openings and compartments to block moisture. For example, waterproof adhesive and rubber seals around the screen, back cover, and ports. If these barriers remain intact, they can prevent moisture from reaching the internal electronics. However, physical damage like cracks can compromise these defenses.
Corrosion inhibitors
Some manufacturers treat or coat the internal electronics to prevent oxidation and corrosion. This causes water to “bead” and roll off instead of pooling, and inhibits moisture damage. However, corrosion inhibitors have limits, and moisture will eventually defeat these coatings over time.
Drying mechanisms
A handful of higher-end phone models feature active drying mechanisms. For example, some advertising water ejection channels, electrical drying fans, and heaters to proactively dry out the phone. However, these features are rare, and most phones have no self-drying capabilities.
Case and accessories matter
How the phone was damaged also influences the outcome. Was it in a case? Did it have water-tight port covers? A phone with no case that was fully submerged will likely sustain more damage than one protected in a waterproof case with rubber gaskets.
Can phones recover from water damage on their own?
Based on the above factors, in most cases phones cannot automatically fix or reverse water damage on their own without assistance:
- No self-drying mechanisms – Most consumer phones lack any active drying features.
- Trapped moisture – Even residual moisture trapped deep inside can eventually corrode components.
- Progressive damage – Water exposure starts chemical processes like corrosion that steadily worsen.
- Permanent effects – Mineral deposits and contamination left behind do not self-clean.
- Physical destruction – Moisture can permanently warp, fray or destroy physical components.
While a water resistant phone might temporarily survive a quick splash, prolonged wetness generally causes ongoing issues without mitigation. Letting the phone passively air dry is not enough, as moisture can remain trapped internally.
Best practices for wet phones
Here are some best practices for giving a wet phone the best chance of recovery:
- Immediately power off the phone – This prevents shorts and further component damage.
- Do not charge – Charging could cause electrical damage.
- Disassemble phone – Remove Sim card, SD card, back cover, battery to dry out separate components.
- Dry with towel & air – Gently wipe moisture and leave phone disassembled in airy area to aid evaporation.
- Use desiccant packs – These moisture-absorbing packs pull water vapor from tight spaces.
- Try compressed air – Canned air can help blow out trapped moisture in cracks and openings.
- Do NOT use heat sources – Heat can damage electronics and dry out adhesives.
Thoroughly drying a phone after water exposure gives it the best chance of functioning again. But there are no guarantees, as moisture may reach components days or weeks later and cause issues down the road.
Professional phone repair options
For the best chance of reviving a water damaged phone, professional phone repair is recommended. Phone repair shops have specialized tools and techniques for moisture removal:
- Ultrasonic cleaning – Ultrasonic frequencies vibrate contamination free.
- Isopropyl alcohol – This quickly displaces moisture.
- Vacuum drying – A vacuum chamber sucks moisture from inaccessible places.
- Moisture detectors – They use sensors to pinpoint wet areas for directed drying.
- Component cleaning – Carefully clean out mineral residue from electrical contacts.
- Circuit board drying – Specialized drying methods prevent phone board corrosion.
- Part replacement – Swap damaged ports, speakers, buttons, etc.
Professional phone repair also bypasses moisture barriers like adhesives and gaskets to reach internal components. Thorough cleaning and drying procedures give phones the highest chance of working again after water or liquid damage compared to DIY efforts.
Data recovery from water damaged phones
If a phone is unresponsive after water damage, data recovery should be attempted before any repairs. Repairs could further damage the phone and make data recovery impossible.
A phone data recovery specialist can attempt to extract data from a water damaged phone even if the phone does not power on. Common recovery methods include:
- Connecting the storage chip directly – Bypassing damaged phone circuits.
- IC Chip swapping – Moving the storage chip to an undamaged donor board.
- Invasive extraction – Carefully disassembling phone and removing storage chip.
- JTAG / ISP – Directly connecting test leads to extract data via diagnostic interfaces.
Recovering the data directly from the storage chip before repairs gives the best chances of salvaging contacts, photos, messages, and other important user data from the damaged phone.
Is phone water damage covered by warranty?
Most phone manufacturers consider water damage a form of accidental damage that is not covered under the standard warranty. However, some carriers or manufacturers do offer optional extended protection plans that cover accidental water damage with a deductible fee.
Without special warranty coverage, any water damage repair costs must be paid out-of-pocket unless the damage was clearly the company’s fault. For expensive high-end smartphones, add-on protection plans are recommended for their coverage of common accident scenarios like water exposure.
Can phones heal from water damage over time?
It is possible, but unlikely, for minimal water damage to resolve on its own over an extended period if:
- Exposure was extremely brief and limited.
- No power was applied while wet.
- The phone had conformal coating or waterproofing.
- All moisture was able to fully evaporate.
However, even brief moisture contact can start hidden corrosion that steadily worsens. Any initial signs of water damage like blurred speakers or microphone are indicators that permanent damage has likely already occurred. Leaving water damage unchecked often results in catastrophic failure down the road.
So while light condensation may evaporate without issue in some cases, it is generally unsafe to assume moisture damage will heal itself over time. Mitigation as soon as possible is important for the best outcome.
Preventing water damage to phones
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to phones and water damage. Here are proactive tips to avoid moisture damage in the first place:
- Use watertight cases and port plugs.
- Apply screen protection like skins or waterproof sealant.
- Avoid cleaning phone with liquids or moisture.
- Turn off phone before going near water.
- Dry hands before handling phone.
- Avoid setting phone on wet surfaces.
- Invest in water resistant phone models.
- Attach floating phone straps for beach/pool use.
- Insure phone with water damage protection plan.
Staying vigilant and exercising caution goes a long way towards keeping phones water-free until they can be properly dried out and repaired if an accident does occur.
Conclusion
In most cases, phones cannot simply air dry and repair water damage on their own without assistance. Moisture starts undetectable corrosion and component destruction that steadily worsens over time. Immediately powering off the phone, gently drying it with towels and air flow, and seeking professional repair gives wet phones the best chance of being revived. Data recovery should also be attempted prior to any repairs on an unresponsive water damaged phone. While a water resistant phone may temporarily endure light splashing, take precautions to keep phones dry in order to avoid costly damage in the first place. With proper care and immediate action after accidental water exposure, it is often possible to resurrect a soaked phone.