Water damage is one of the most common ways that phones become damaged. If your phone has been exposed to water, whether it be from dropping it in the sink, the toilet, or the pool, you may be wondering if it’s possible to repair it and recover your data. The good news is that in many cases, phones can be fixed after water exposure. However, the type of repair needed will depend on the extent of the water damage.
What causes water damage in phones?
There are a few main components in smartphones that can be affected by water exposure:
- The battery – Water can corrode the battery contacts and circuitry
- The display screen – Water can interfere with the touch screen functionality
- The motherboard – Water can short circuit and corrode the delicate electronics
- Speakers and microphones – Water can prevent proper audio functioning
When water seeps into these components it can cause oxidation, electrical shorts, and corrosion. The severity depends on factors like:
- How long the phone was exposed to water
- If the phone was powered on when wet
- If the water was freshwater, seawater, or contained other contaminants
- How quickly the phone was dried out and cleaned after water exposure
Is it possible to repair a water damaged phone?
Minor water exposure does not necessarily mean your phone is ruined. Here are some key factors in determining if a water damaged phone can be repaired:
- If the water exposure was brief, only minor repairs like cleaning or replacing speakers or charging ports may be needed.
- If the phone was not powered on during water exposure, components like the motherboard may be salvageable.
- If the water did not reach critical components like the battery, main circuitry, or screen connectors, repairs are more likely.
- If the phone was dried quickly and properly after water exposure, corrosion may be minimal.
However, extensive water damage where critical components were submerged can make repairs more difficult and expensive. Components may need to be cleaned, dried out, or replaced entirely.
Steps for repairing a wet phone
If your phone has been exposed to moisture, here are some steps to take to give it the best chance of being repaired:
- Dry it out – Immediately power off the phone and dry it with a microfiber cloth. Remove any protective cases and dry out headphone/charging ports.
- Don’t power on – Water inside the phone can short circuit components if powered on.
- Remove the battery and SIM card – This prevents further damage during the drying process.
- Absorb excess moisture – Bury the phone in dry rice overnight to absorb moisture.
- Clean with isopropyl alcohol – Use 90% isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs to clean connectors and ports.
- Let dry for at least 24 hours – Extended drying time gives the best chance for moisture in crevices to evaporate.
- Test phone functions – After drying, reconnect the battery and test screen, buttons, speakers, microphone, charging ability.
Water damage repair costs
The cost to repair a water damaged phone can vary widely depending on the extent of the damage and type of phone. Here are typical repair costs for common water damage issues:
| Repair | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Dried out charging port replacement | $20-50 |
| Headphone jack replacement | $30-70 |
| Speaker or microphone replacement | $50-100 |
| Screen replacement due to water damage | $100-250 |
| Motherboard repair or replacement | $150-350 |
More extensive damage requiring full device replacement can cost $500-1000+ depending on the phone model. Water damage repairs should only be done by experienced professionals to avoid safety hazards and ensure proper fixation. Get an estimate before approving any repairs.
Tips for recovering water damaged phones
If your phone has been exposed to moisture, here are some tips to help minimize damage and safely recover data:
- Do not try to power on or charge a wet phone as this can short circuit components.
- Immediately dry the phone with absorptive material and open ports/covers to ventilate moisture.
- Remove SIM card and SD card to protect data and dry cards separately if needed.
- Clean exposed components carefully with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs.
- Pack phone in an airtight bag with desiccants like silica gel to dehydrate interior.
- Backup data and sync cloud accounts if phone briefly powers up during drying.
- Contact professionals for data recovery if phone will not power on after thorough drying.
Can rice help dry out a wet phone?
Placing a wet phone in a bowl or bag of rice is a commonly suggested drying method. Rice can potentially help absorb excess moisture from inside a wet phone due to these properties:
- Rice is highly absorptive and will soak up surrounding liquid quickly.
- Rice granules get into crevices allowing moisture in hard to reach spots to be absorbed.
- Rice is readily available in most homes.
- Rice is non-toxic and safe for electronics.
However, there are some downsides to the rice method:
- Rice can leave behind residue and dust inside ports and crevices.
- Phone should be buried in at least 2-3 inches of rice for full effectiveness.
- Rice drying can take 24 hours or longer to fully dry a phone.
- Rice may not heat phone enough to evaporate water in confined spaces.
The rice technique can be used in combination with other drying steps like fans, heat, and desiccants for optimal results. But for severe water exposure, professional phone cleaning is recommended for proper moisture removal and component cleaning.
Should you put a wet phone in the oven to dry it?
It’s not advisable to put a wet phone in an oven in attempt to dry it out. Here are some of the risks of using oven drying methods:
- Excessive heat can damage phone components like the battery.
- Temperatures and drying time are difficult to control in an oven.
- Most ovens only heat to 200°F whereas a phone may need 140°F or less.
- Metal components could warp, melt, or become burnt in high oven heat.
- Trapped moisture turns to steam which cannot efficiently evaporate.
- The phone may not heat evenly and create hot spots.
A better option is to use a controlled heat source to gently warm and dry a phone such as:
- Hairdryer on low setting about 12 inches from phone.
- Phone drying bags with built-in heating elements.
- Placing phone above a heating vent.
The key is applying indirect heat around 100-140°F to avoid overheating any components. Monitor the phone temperature and let dry for at least 24 hours. Extended low heat can help evaporate water in crevices without damage. But discontinue heating if any warning signs appear.
Does putting a phone in sunlight help dry it?
Exposing a wet phone to direct sunlight can potentially help dry it out. The ultraviolet radiation and heat from sunlight has a drying effect. Here are some pros of using sunlight to dry a phone:
- Sunlight provides natural heat to aid evaporation.
- UV radiation has a sterilizing effect to kill microbes.
- Sunlight is readily available for most people.
- No electricity or equipment needed.
However, there are also some risks to be aware of:
- Excessive heat can damage phone components.
- UV rays may degrade plastics and rubbers.
- Outdoor humidity could slow down drying time.
- Lack of temperature control compared to other methods.
- Direct sunlight can focus heat in one spot creating hot spots.
- Not practical for drying full disassembly of phone components.
The safest way to use sunlight is to place the phone in a window with indirect sunlight to gently warm and dry the phone. Avoid prolonged direct sun exposure and monitor temperature. Sunlight works best in combination with absorbing moisture, ventilation, and low controlled temperatures.
Conclusion
Phones that have been exposed to water can often be repaired and recovered with proper drying techniques. For minor moisture exposure, absorptive drying followed by component cleaning and testing can get a phone working again. With extensive water damage or component failure, professional phone repair may be needed. Quick reaction time is key – immediately drying out a phone and removing power can prevent permanent water damage and allow for a successful repair in many cases.