Having a wet phone is a stressful situation that many of us have experienced. Water exposure can cause serious damage to your phone and make it stop working. While rice is a popular recommendation for drying out a phone, not everyone has rice readily available when an accident happens. Luckily, there are some common household items that can be used instead.
Why Putting a Wet Phone in Rice Works
Rice is frequently suggested because the rice grains can absorb moisture from the wet phone. Rice contains tiny pores that can soak up water through capillary action. As the rice takes in the water, it helps to draw moisture away from the phone’s internal components and dry it out. Using rice can be an effective way to rescue a water-damaged phone and possibly revive it. However, rice may not always be on hand when you need it.
Alternative Absorbent Materials
Many common household items share a similar absorbent quality to rice and make suitable substitutes. Here are some alternatives you can use to dry out a wet phone if rice isn’t available:
Paper Towels/Tissue Paper
Paper products like paper towels, napkins, tissue paper, toilet paper, and paper bags contain fibers that can absorb water. Simply place your wet phone in a bowl or container lined with multiple layers of your desired paper material. The key is to surround the phone with plenty of surface area to wick away moisture. The paper will get saturated quickly, so you’ll need to replace it frequently. Absorbent paper towels work best.
Silica Gel Packets
Silica gel packets are those little “do not eat” desiccant packets that come in various products to keep moisture away. They work great for phone drying purposes too. Silica gel pulls water molecules into the beads via strong absorption forces. Gather any packets you have around the house and put your phone in an airtight container with them. The silica beads will attract the water from your phone. You can often find these packets in vitamin bottles, leather goods, beef jerky, and many other products.
Kitty Litter
The clumping type of kitty litter can absorb significant amounts of liquid quickly. Pour a few cups of fresh kitty litter into a sealable plastic bag or air-tight container. Place your wet phone inside and seal the bag/container closed. The kitty litter will begin soaking up moisture right away. You’ll need to replace the saturated litter with fresh, dry litter periodically to keep absorbing water away from your phone.
Instant Oatmeal
Instant oats can also absorb water fairly well. Simply empty a pack or two of uncooked instant oatmeal into a bowl or storage container. Bury your phone in the dry oats and let the oatmeal extract the moisture. Check periodically and stir the oats around to expose more dry surface area. You can continue adding fresh instant oatmeal as needed until your phone is dry.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch clumps together when it comes in contact with moisture. Place your wet phone in a plastic zip bag with around 2 cups of cornstarch. Seal the opening and massage the bag to evenly distribute the cornstarch around the phone. The cornstarch will become damp and clumpy as it absorbs water. You may need to add more fresh, dry cornstarch over time to keep drying.
Disposable Diapers
Disposable diapers contain super-absorbent polymers specifically designed to soak up wetness. Unwrap a clean disposable diaper and place your phone inside the padding. Fold the diaper over your phone to encase it in the absorbent filling. The diaper will begin pulling moisture away from your phone immediately. You can check and change out the diaper as needed.
Isopropyl Alcohol
For minor exposure or external wetness, isopropyl alcohol can be effective for drying out your phone. The alcohol helps displace water and evaporates very quickly. Dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and gently wipe down the phone’s exterior surfaces. Avoid getting alcohol in ports or buttons. Let the alcohol fully evaporate before turning your phone on. Don’t submerge the phone or use high concentrations of alcohol.
Drying Tips
In addition to using a drying agent, here are some useful tips for ensuring you extract as much moisture as possible:
- Act quickly – Begin the drying process immediately after water exposure to prevent permanent internal corrosion.
- Rinse with distilled water – Rinsing your phone with distilled water can help remove minerals and contaminants left behind after wetness.
- Absorb excess water – Use a microfiber cloth to gently blot and wipe away any standing water.
- Disassemble – Remove any parts you can like SIM card, SD card, case, battery pack, etc.
- Airflow – Allow air circulation around the phone to aid drying. Point a fan towards the phone.
- Be patient – It takes time for moisture to fully evaporate. Give it at least 24 hours before testing.
- Check all openings – Make sure headphone jack, charging port, etc are all dry before charging or powering up.
- Add heat – Warm temperatures accelerate drying. You can use a hairdryer on low setting to lightly heat the phone.
- Absorbent container – Place phone on an elevated stand or platform in container to avoid reabsorption.
- Packing materials – Surround phone in shredded paper, paper towels, or cloth to draw out moisture.
- Silica packs – Add extra silica gel packs to the container to actively absorb remaining dampness.
- Compressed air – Use a can of compressed air to blow out any lingering droplets in cracks and crevices.
What Not To Do
It’s also important to avoid these common mistakes when trying to revive a wet phone:
- Don’t turn on power – Don’t attempt to turn on your phone until completely dry.
- Avoid heat – High heat can damage phone components and screens.
- Don’t bury – Avoid tightly sealing your phone in an airtight space with no airflow.
- Don’t disturb – Try to avoid agitating your phone too much during drying.
- No liquids – Avoid submerging the phone to clean – distilled water rinse only.
- Don’t disassemble unnecessarily – Only remove parts you can easily reattach.
When to Give Up
If you tried these drying methods for over 24 hours with no signs of life from your phone, it may be time to accept that the internal damage is too extensive. Prolonged moisture exposure beyond repair capabilities includes:
- Visible water inside phone (viewable through SIM card tray)
- Corrosion that won’t rub off on charging port
- Exposure to chemicals, soaps, oils, or other contaminants in water
- Phone was fully submerged for long time
- Not dried quickly enough after water exposure
- Screen damaged or no longer responsive
- Phone won’t turn on at all, even when plugged into power
At a certain point, continuing drying efforts become futile and the phone is beyond saving. Water damage prognosis also depends on the make and model of your phone and construction quality. If drying efforts aren’t successful, you’ll have to explore replacement options through your cell provider, phone manufacturer, or third-party repair service.
Professional Data Recovery
While physical phone repair may not be possible after significant water exposure, professional data recovery services may be able to salvage the phone’s data even if device won’t power on. Companies like DriveSavers, Gillware, Secure Data Recovery Services, Blizzard Data Recovery, and others specialize in recovering data from failed drives and devices. The right experts may be able to extract your data depending on specific damage circumstances.
Waterproof Phone Options
To avoid going through phone water damage ever again, you can consider upgrading to a water-resistant or waterproof phone designed to withstand wetness. Many popular modern smartphone models now offer IP67, IP68, or greater water and dust resistance ratings. Here are some top waterproof phone choices:
| Phone | Water Protection Rating |
|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max | IP68 up to 6m depth for 30 mins |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 Series | IP68 up to 1.5m depth for 30 mins |
| Google Pixel 7/7 Pro | IP68 up to 1.5m depth for 30 mins |
| OnePlus 10T 5G | IP54 |
| CAT S75 Phone | IP68/IP69K |
| Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G | IP68 for up to 2 hours |
| Sonim XP3 | IP68 submersible up to 2m depth |
| Motorola Defy Phone | IP68 up to 1.8m depth for 35 mins |
A waterproof phone provides peace of mind for anyone prone to water accidents and damages. Though expensive to replace, waterproof phones can save you money and hassle over time when inevitably exposed to wet environments.
Waterproof Cases
If you don’t want to purchase a waterproof phone, another option is to use a waterproof phone case for added protection. Heavy duty waterproof cases seal your phone inside while still allowing interaction through the case material. Cases like these add water protection for short durations:
- LifeProof FRE Case
- Otterbox Defender Series
- Ghostek Atomic Series
- Hitcase Pro Waterproof Case
- Razer Arctech Pro
- Joto Universal Waterproof Case
A good waterproof case used properly can save your phone from an accidental dunk or splash. Make sure to test water seals regularly and replace cases over time as seals wear out.
Conclusion
Trying to revive a water-damaged phone starts with quick action and thorough drying measures using alternative absorbent materials readily available at home. Rice works great, but items like silica gel packs, paper towels, kitty litter, instant oatmeal, cornstarch, and disposable diapers can also do the job when rice isn’t an option. Avoid heat, agitation, and powering on the phone during drying. With time and patience, you may be able restore functionality or at least recover important data. Ultimately, prevention is easiest in the form of water-resistant phone designs or durable waterproof cases to avoid water damage in the first place.