Dropping your phone in water is an unfortunate and stressful experience. Within seconds, water can seep through small openings and damage delicate electronics inside your smartphone. The good news is that with some quick action, many water-damaged phones can be revived if given sufficient time to dry out.
There are several key factors that affect how long it takes for a water-logged phone to dry out and become functional again. These include the amount of water exposure, phone model and design, drying method, and environmental conditions. Quickly taking steps to remove excess moisture and allow gradual drying can help minimize permanent damage and potentially save a wet phone.
How Water Damages Phones
Water can damage phones and other electronics in several ways. First, water can cause corrosion, a chemical reaction, with metal components and circuit boards (Telamcoinc). This corrosion can degrade connections and eat away at delicate circuits over time. Additionally, water can immediately short circuit a phone’s components, sending uncontrolled electrical currents through the device (ACS Industrial). Short circuits can fry chips, microprocessors, and other components, rendering the device inoperable.
Water also interferes with the touchscreen functionality of smartphones. The capacitive touchscreens on phones rely on electrical signals from your finger to register taps and swipes. But water can disrupt this signal, making the screen unresponsive (Telamcoinc). This is why waterlogged phones often have issues with ghost touches and inaccurate response even if the screen remains intact.
Finally, water can damage a phone’s rechargeable battery. Alkaline batteries rely on controlled chemical reactions, which water can disrupt, preventing the battery from properly holding a charge (ACS Industrial). Thus, a water damaged phone may suffer from rapid battery drain or refuse to charge entirely.
Factors Affecting Drying Time
Several key factors affect how long it takes for a water damaged phone to dry out completely:
Type of water – Phones damaged by pure water like freshwater or tap water will dry faster than if exposed to mineralized or saltwater, which can leave behind salty residue even after drying. Saltwater damage requires more thorough cleaning and a longer drying time. According to research by Samsung, freshwater exposure may require 48-72 hours to dry out a phone, while saltwater can need 4-5 days.
Amount of water exposure – The more water a phone is exposed to, the longer the drying process will be. Brief exposure to a few drops or splashes will dry faster than if a phone is fully submerged. One study found that phones dried significantly faster when immediately removed from water versus being submerged for 60 seconds.
Phone model – Different phone models have varying water resistance levels and internal components. High-end waterproof phone models with tightly sealed ports can withstand submersion better and require less drying time than non-water resistant devices. Older phone models tend to have more unprotected openings for moisture to enter.
According to research from Quora, immediate drying can allow a phone to survive brief water exposure with little damage. But the longer water sits inside a phone, the more corrosion it can cause to delicate electronics.
Removing Excess Water
The first step after getting your phone wet is to remove any excess water still on or inside the device. According to experts at Wired, you should start by gently shaking the phone to dislodge any water drops, being careful not to shake so hard that you could damage internal components. Next, blot all surfaces dry with an absorbent cloth or towel, including the screen, housing, ports, buttons, etc. Wired recommends avoiding rubbing the phone, as that could push water further inside.
You’ll also want to immediately remove the battery, if possible based on your phone model. This cuts power to the device and allows more water to drain out. Per Asurion, detaching the battery also prevents short circuiting that could happen if water touches exposed electrical contacts. Be sure to dry the battery with a towel before reinserting. With excess moisture removed from the surface and interior, you can move on to the deeper drying process.
Drying Process
Once you’ve removed any excess water, the next step is to allow your phone to dry thoroughly before attempting to turn it on and use it. There are a few recommended methods for safely drying out a water-damaged phone:
Leave it in a dry, well-ventilated area: Allow your phone to air dry by leaving it out in an area with good airflow and low humidity. Avoid leaving it on or near any heat sources. Give it at least 24 hours to dry out completely.
Use a desiccant: Putting the phone in a sealed container with silica gel packets (desiccants) can help absorb moisture faster. The desiccant pulls the water out of your phone rather than just evaporating it. Replace the packets as they get saturated.
Use a hair dryer on low setting: Carefully use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to speed up drying time. Hold it 6-8 inches away and avoid prolonged exposure to any one area. Do not use high heat settings as this could further damage the phone. (Source)
Do not microwave the phone or expose it to other high heat sources which could cause severe damage.
Checking for Damage
After allowing your phone to thoroughly dry, the next step is to check for any damage caused by the water exposure. Turn on your phone and thoroughly test all functions – check if the screen powers on, test all buttons and ports, and check audio through the speakers. The charging port is particularly susceptible to corrosion from water, so inspect it closely for any signs of rust or mineral deposits. If possible, use a magnifying glass to look for moisture or corrosion in hard-to-see areas.
If your phone suffered only minor water exposure and was dried properly, it may operate normally at this point. However, if issues are detected, do not continue using the phone – the damage could worsen over time. Instead, take the phone to a professional repair shop for inspection and possible component replacement or cleaning. Be upfront with the technician about the water damage. Though repairs may be expensive, a skilled technician can often resurrect a water-damaged device and save your data.[1]
If more severe water damage caused failure of core functions like the screen or charging ability, the phone’s main printed circuit board was likely corroded. In such cases, recovery may be impossible or too costly, and you’ll have to replace the phone entirely.
Preventing Long-Term Damage
Even after drying out your phone, water damage can still cause issues down the road if you don’t take steps to prevent corrosion and other problems. Here are some tips for minimizing long-term damage:
Clean corrosion – Use isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush to gently clean any corrosion, mineral deposits or residue left behind after the phone has dried. This helps prevent further corrosion and damage to circuits or components. Be very gentle when cleaning connectors or fragile parts.
Replace damaged parts – If any parts like the battery, charging port or headphones jack seem damaged or aren’t functioning properly, go ahead and replace them. Water could still be trapped or corrosion could continue in damaged parts.
Check for shorts – Carefully inspect the phone and test all functions after drying to check for any shorts or functionality issues caused by water damage. If issues persist, you may need to replace shorted electronic components.
It’s important to be proactive about preventing long-term water damage rather than just drying your phone and hoping for the best. A little prevention can help your phone last much longer after water exposure.
When to Give Up
There comes a point when fixing a water damaged phone is no longer worth the time, effort, and money. Be realistic – if the total cost of repairs and replacement parts exceeds the cost of simply buying a new phone, it’s usually best to accept the loss and move on.
According to Gazelle, the average cost to repair water damage on an iPhone can range from $199 for an iPhone 8 to $549 for an iPhone 12 Pro Max. At a certain point, it makes more financial sense to put that money towards a new phone rather than continuing to sink funds into an old water damaged device.
The condition of the phone is also a factor. If the water exposure was severe enough to cause serious corrosion or permanent component damage that prevents the phone from being usable, repair may not be possible. In these cases, it’s better to replace the device rather than endlessly troubleshoot an unfixable problem.
Don’t keep chasing sunk costs if the phone seems unsalvageable. There’s a point when it’s necessary to cut your losses. Use best judgment to determine when that point has arrived.
Waterproof Cases
If you plan on regularly using your phone around water, investing in a high-quality waterproof case is your best bet for keeping it safe. There are several excellent options on the market that provide full waterproof protection without compromising usability.
The LifeProof FRĒ case is consistently ranked as one of the best waterproof phone cases (source). It fully seals your phone while still providing access to all features and ports. The case can withstand submersion in up to 6.6 feet of water for 1 hour. It also protects against dust, snow, and drops.
For a more affordable option, JOTO’s Universal Waterproof Phone Pouch provides basic waterproofing for all smartphone models (source). It has an IPX8 rating to withstand immersion, and the flexible plastic allows full use of touch screen functions. However, it does not allow access to ports while sealed.
Swimcore also offers a wide selection of waterproof phone cases tailored for swimming and aquatic activities (source). Their cases are made of soft, flexible materials that are comfortable to wear and provide clear visual access to the screen. Most models also come with adjustable armbands for convenience during sports.
With any waterproof case, be sure to read the product details to ensure it works with your specific phone model. And test in shallow water before full immersion. With the right waterproof case, you can protect your phone and still use it worry-free around pools, lakes, and oceans.
Summary
In summary, getting moisture inside your phone can cause serious damage if not addressed properly. The key is to act quickly by removing any excess water, powering the device off, and allowing it to dry thoroughly before turning it back on. Rice or silica gel packets can help absorb moisture, but air drying is best. Check for water in openings like the charging port, headphone jack, speakers, etc. It may take over 24 hours to fully dry out a waterlogged phone. While quick action can save many water damaged phones, prolonged water exposure risks corrosion and permanent component failure. Your best defense is a waterproof case when around water. To recap, at the first sign of water exposure, quickly dry the phone, let it air out for at least a day, and hope for the best.