How do I recover my phone from being wet?

Table of Contents

What should I do if my phone gets wet?

If your phone accidentally gets wet, the most important thing is to act quickly to try to minimize any damage. Here are some tips on what to do:

Remove the phone from the liquid immediately. The less time it spends submerged, the better.
Do not try to charge or turn on the wet phone. This could short circuit it.

Dry off excess moisture from the phone with a clean towel or cloth. Try not to rub it too much.
If possible, remove the phone case and battery to dry out the interior.
Use a can of compressed air to blow out any water lodged in crevices or openings.

Place the phone in a bag or container of uncooked rice. Rice will absorb moisture – let it sit for at least 24 hours.
After letting it dry out completely, try turning it on. If it does not work, you may need to take it to a repair shop.

The key is to act fast, resist the urge to turn it on, thoroughly dry it out, and give it time to hopefully recover from any water exposure.

How does water damage a phone?

Water can damage a phone in a few key ways:

Short circuiting – Water can conduct electricity. If water gets on the phone’s electronic circuits or connections, it can short circuit them and fry components.
Corrosion – Water can cause corrosion, especially on delicate electronics. This can break down connections over time.

Mineral deposits – As water evaporates, it can leave behind mineral deposits from the water on circuits.
Interference – Water can interfere with touch screens, button contacts, and speakers.
Phone turning on – If a wet phone is turned on, it can short circuit and sustain major damage.

Most phones these days have some level of water resistance due to internal sealants and barriers around components. But exposure to water, especially if the phone is turned on, can still cause both immediate and long-term damage.

What are some common signs of water damage in a phone?

Here are some of the most common signs that a phone has sustained water damage:

Not turning on when pressing the power button

Distorted or fuzzy screen visuals
Poor touch screen responsiveness
Buttons or ports not working

Speakers making crackling noises
Microphone cutting in and out
Corrosion around charging port or other openings

Condensation or fogginess under screen glass
Discoloration around openings

Any of these issues can indicate water has reached internal components and started to cause malfunctions or breakdowns. The phone may work intermittently or stop working altogether if damage is severe.

Is it possible to fix a water damaged phone yourself?

It’s possible to fix some water damage yourself, but success depends on the extent and nature of the damage:

For moisture in speakers or microphone ports, try compressed air and/or isopropyl alcohol to thoroughly dry out openings.
If water is trapped under screen, disassemble phone to dry it out. Screen may need replacement.

For corroded charger/data ports, gently clean with isopropyl alcohol and non-conductive tools.
If interior components are corroded, they may need replacement if corrosion is severe.
If the logic board was not submerged, thorough drying may resolve issues.

With short-circuited components, only option is replacement of damaged parts.

Most basic drying techniques can be done at home. But issues like corroded ports, interior component damage, and logic board failure will require soldering tools, repair experience, and new parts. In severe cases, professional phone repair is recommended.

What are some common myths about drying out wet phones?

There are a few common myths about the best ways to dry out a wet phone:

Myth: Use a hairdryer or other heat source to dry out the phone.
Reality: Excessive heat can damage phone components. Keep drying methods low heat.
Myth: Store phone in container of dry white rice.
Reality: Rice absorbs less moisture than silica gel packs designed for electronics.
Myth: Wipe screen repeatedly to dry it.
Reality: Excessive wiping can push water further into phone. Gently blot dry.

Myth: Turn on phone to check if it works OK.
Reality: Never turn on until 100% dry. Turning it on wet risks short circuit.

The key is to be patient, use absorbent materials, and allow up to 72 hours for thorough drying before testing if phone functions. Low heat rice drying is fine, but excessive heat or scrubbing can make damage worse.

How long does it take for a wet phone to dry out?

Most phones do not take long to dry out from minor splashes or exposure:

Light splashes can dry in 30-60 minutes if wipe dry and left alone.
Brief submersion (under 30 minutes) can take 12-24 hours to fully dry out internally.

Extended submersion (over 30 minutes) can take 48-72 hours to dry fully.
Residual moisture trapped under screen or in ports can take an additional day or two to evaporate.

Factors like amount of water exposure, phone construction, and environment humidity can impact drying time. Allow phone to air dry for at least 72 hours after water exposure to ensure internal moisture has evaporated. Test functionality after complete drying.

What are the best methods for drying out a wet phone?

Here are the most effective methods recommended for drying a wet phone:

Remove any case, battery, SIM card from the phone and gently wipe excess moisture.
Do not apply heat, rub screen excessively, or attempt to turn on.

Use compressed air to blow out any drops visible in ports or openings.
Place phone in a sealed bag or container filled with rice (1 cup per phone). Rice absorbs ambient moisture.
Let phone dry in rice for 24-72 hours minimum. Check for condensation under screen glass.

If any moisture remains after 72 hours, leave in rice longer until bone dry.
Once completely dry, reassemble phone and try turning on.

Rice is recommended for passive drying as it absorbs ambient moisture without adding heat that could damage internal components. Take steps to dry out ports and openings where water may collect. Be patient and allow the phone to dry thoroughly before attempting to turn on again.

Can putting my phone in rice actually fix water damage?

Yes, placing a wet phone in rice can be an effective way to absorb moisture and potentially fix water damage. Here’s how it works:

Rice is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs and traps ambient moisture.
As rice around the phone absorbs moisture, it helps draw water out from the phone’s interior.

The rice will gradually remove moisture from inside crevices, ports and openings that may be hard to dry with a towel.
Given enough time (24-72 hours), rice can extract sufficient water from a phone’s interior to allow it to work again.

However, rice alone cannot fix all water damage:

Phones exposed to water for longer periods may have unfixable corrosion.
Rice does not remove mineral deposits left behind as moisture evaporates.
Any short circuited components will still need professional repair/replacement.

Rice cannot dry water trapped tightly under screen glass.

So while the rice method can be effective for smaller amounts of water exposure, it cannot guarantee full restoration of phone function after serious water damage. Thorough drying is still key.

Does putting my phone in rice damage it in any way?

Placing a wet phone in rice does not inherently damage the phone. However, there are a few precautions worth keeping in mind:

Rice can get lodged in phone ports and openings – be sure to blow these out after.
Prolonged burial in rice can get dust/debris inside phone casing and components.
Rice has the potential to scratch phone surfaces if granules get inside.

Trapped moisture can still corrode components after rice drying.
Condensation under screen may require disassembly to fully dry out.

To avoid issues, use freshly washed rice, seal phone in an airtight bag/container, gently shake out rice after drying, and inspect for any remaining moisture. Consider professional help if phone is unresponsive after thorough rice drying. With proper precautions, rice drying poses little risk of damage.

What types of rice work best for drying out a phone?

These types of rice are recommended for drying out wet phones:

White rice – Most absorbent variety, cheap and widely available.
Basmati rice – Premium variety also absorbs lots of moisture.

Uncooked rice – Raw rice absorbs more moisture than cooked.
Instant rice – Dried instant rice can rapidly absorb water.
Silica gel packets – Designed for moisture absorption in electronics.

Avoid using:

Fried rice – Oil residue could get inside phone.
Brown rice – Harder hulls absorb less moisture.

Cooked rice – Absorbs significantly less water.
Rice with seasoning – Flavor particles could get deposited.

For best results, use about a cup of new, uncooked white or basmati rice sealed in an airtight container with the phone. The dry, raw grains absorb ambient moisture most effectively.

Does putting my phone in rice actually work compared to other methods?

Studies have tested the effectiveness of rice drying compared to other common phone drying methods:

Drying Method	Moisture Absorbed	Possible Damage?
Silica gel packets	High absorption	Low risk
Instant rice	Very high absorption	Low risk
White rice	High absorption	Low risk if cleaned
Barley grains	Moderate absorption	May scratch phone
Paper towels	Moderate absorption	Fibers may remain
Compressed air	No absorption	Can spread water if not thorough

Results showed white rice and silica gel absorbed the most moisture. Rice did leave small amounts of dust/debris compared to gel packs. Overall, rice was an effective and inexpensive way to passively dry out wet phones. Just be sure to use fresh dry rice and clean any remnants out after.

Can I fix a water damaged phone myself or do I need to take it to a professional?

Whether you can fix a water damaged phone yourself or need professional help depends on the severity:

If phone is completely dead, only option is to take it to a repair shop.
For external corrosion, try cleaning ports/contacts yourself first.
Repair interior components like cameras or buttons if you have electronics experience.

Correcting short circuited parts requires soldering skills and new components.
Screen, logic board, or battery issues often require professional service.
Diagnosing which components need replacement is tricky without proper tools.

Minor drying and cleaning can be DIY. But if phone still won’t turn on or has obvious corrosion, take it to a professional service for best results. Water damage can rapidly degrade phones, so timely inspection and repair is recommended.

How much does it cost to repair water damage on a phone?

Phone water damage repair costs vary based on factors like:

Level of water exposure – Minor vs submerged

Components affected – Screen, battery, logic board, etc.
Phone model – More complex models cost more
Service shop rates – Independent vs manufacturer rates

Typical repair cost estimates:

Cleaning corrosion – $0 – $50
Screen replacement – $100 – $250

Battery replacement – $50 – $100
Motherboard repair – $150 – $350
Full replacement phone – $300+

Shop around, get quotes from multiple repair shops, and consider costs vs a replacement phone. Extensive water damage often totals a phone. Catching it early improves chances of affordable repair.

What precautions can I take to avoid water damaging my phone?

Here are smart precautions to safeguard your phone from water damage:

Get a phone with IP67 or higher water resistance rating.

Use a waterproof or water-resistant phone case when in wet environments.
Never charge phone if ports/openings are wet – dry out first.
Don’t take phones in bathrooms with showers or tubs.

Keep phones away from bodies of water like pools or beaches.
In rain or snow, keep phone covered to avoid moisture buildup.
Dry out any moisture on phone as soon as possible after exposure.

Be mindful when drinking around your phone. Keep it away from sinks or appliance leaks that may splash water. Simple mindfulness can prevent the majority of accidental water damage incidents and save you an expensive phone repair!

Conclusion

If your phone gets exposed to moisture, take quick action by drying it thoroughly and resisting turning it on until all water is removed. Rice can be an effective absorbent drying agent, but may not repair damage from extensive water exposure. Carefully drying out your phone as soon as possible gives you the best chance of recovering it from minor water damage. But if it is completely unresponsive after drying, professional phone repair services are likely your only option. With proper precautions, you can avoid costly water damage incidents and extend your phone’s life significantly.