Assess the Extent of the Damage
If your phone has been exposed to water, the first step is to assess how severe the water damage is. This will help determine the best course of action for potential recovery. Here are some key things to evaluate:
Determine how long the phone was in the water. The longer it was submerged, the more likely serious damage has occurred. Even exposure of just a few seconds can allow moisture to enter sensitive components.
Consider what type of liquid the phone was exposed to. Water is the most common, but other liquids like soda, juice, coffee, etc. can leave behind sticky residue or corrode components.
Think about how deep the water was. Greater water pressure increases the chance of water entering the phone. Even shallow depth exposures can be problematic though.
Pay attention to which parts of the phone were submerged. Full submersion is more problematic than just partial exposure. However, damage can still occur even if just part of the phone was wet.
Knowing details like these will help you evaluate the likelihood of phone recovery and if intensive repairs may be needed. According to reports, 28% of consumers experience water damage to their phones, so it’s a common problem (source). Careful inspection after water exposure is the crucial first step.
Try Drying Out the Phone
One of the first things to try when your phone gets wet is to dry it out as quickly as possible. This can help minimize any water damage and give you the best chance of saving your phone.
Start by immediately removing the battery and SIM card. This will prevent shorts and further damage while drying. Gently wipe away any excess moisture from the phone’s exterior using a soft, lint-free cloth (Source). Be careful not to rub too hard as this could push more water into the phone.
Next, place the phone in a sealable bag or container filled with uncooked rice. The rice will act as a desiccant, slowly pulling moisture away from the phone’s interior. Silica gel packs also work well for phone drying. Let the phone sit for at least 24 hours to give the rice time to absorb the moisture (Source).
Avoid using heat sources like hairdryers or ovens to dry out the phone, as this can cause further damage. Allowing the phone to air dry at room temperature is best.
Open Up the Phone
Sometimes water gets lodged inside the device, which requires opening it up to properly dry out the internal components. You’ll want to do this carefully to avoid causing any additional damage.
Start by powering off your phone and removing the SIM card and SD card if possible. Then use a screwdriver to remove any external screws and carefully pry open the phone casing. Slowly disassemble the layers until you can access the interior hardware.
Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth or toothbrush to gently dab or brush away any remaining moisture on the internal parts like the logic board, connectors, camera, buttons, etc. Be very delicate and don’t force anything to move. Make sure no liquids are pooling in crevices or corners.
Let the phone air dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours before reassembling. Be patient and give it plenty of time to make sure it’s completely moisture-free inside before turning it back on. Reattach any detached cables or connectors securely.
Opening up your phone carries some risk of causing damage, so proceed carefully. But this may be your best shot at reviving a waterlogged phone by directly drying the interior components. Just be sure to give it sufficient time to dry out before powering it back on. For more guidance, refer to the manufacturer’s disassembly instructions.
Use Isopropyl Alcohol
One of the most effective ways to clean corrosion and residue after water damage is to use isopropyl alcohol. You’ll want to use 99% isopropyl alcohol, as this concentration contains minimal water and will evaporate quickly.
To use isopropyl alcohol on a water damaged phone:
- Purchase a bottle of 99% isopropyl rubbing alcohol from a pharmacy or online retailer. This type of alcohol is inexpensive and commonly available.
- Power down the phone if possible and remove any protective case.
- Dip a clean toothbrush into the alcohol and gently scrub any areas with corrosion or residue, such as the charging port, headphone jack, speakers, buttons and seams.
- Be very gentle, taking care not to get any moisture in openings like the speakers or microphone.
- Allow the phone to air dry completely before powering back on. The alcohol will evaporate quickly, which helps minimize damage.
Isopropyl alcohol dissolves salt, corrosion deposits and other contaminants left behind by water exposure. It can help revive a water damaged phone by cleaning stuck buttons, charging ports and other components. Just be sure to use it sparingly and allow proper drying time.[1]
Check for Liquid Damage Indicators
Many smartphones like Samsung Galaxy and iPhone devices contain small liquid contact indicator stickers inside the phone that are designed to change color when they come into contact with water. These stickers, called Liquid Damage Indicators (LDIs), are usually located in areas where water ingress is most likely such as near the SIM card slot, battery compartment, or other openings.
To check for water damage, remove the SIM card tray and battery (if possible) and closely inspect these areas with a flashlight for a small circular or rectangular sticker. Samsung LDIs are often white or silver when dry but turn pink or red when wet. iPhones contain similar LDI stickers that turn from white to red. If the LDI sticker inside your phone has turned pink/red, it likely indicates water contact has occurred.
A tripped LDI sticker isn’t a definitive indicator that your phone can’t be repaired, but it does provide visual confirmation that liquid has entered the device. This can help you better evaluate the extent of water damage when troubleshooting solutions.
Try Phone Recovery Software
If your phone is completely unresponsive or won’t turn on after water damage, specialized phone recovery software may be able to help restart it. Software like Coolmuster and Ontrack EasyRecovery is designed to bypass the phone’s normal boot process and access the internal memory directly. This makes it possible to recover data and restart phones even if they won’t turn on normally.
To use phone recovery software, first download it to a computer that your phone can connect to. Once installed, connect the water damaged phone to the computer even if it won’t turn on. The software should recognize the phone and allow you to scan for recoverable data. It may also have options to reboot the phone into recovery mode or restart it normally. This specialized access can revive phones that otherwise appear “bricked” after water exposure.
Keep in mind phone recovery software works best if used soon after water damage, before corrosion has a chance to advance. It may not work if the phone’s internal components are completely fried. But it’s worth trying as an option to restart phones that won’t power on after getting wet.
Replace Damaged Parts
If your phone’s internal components have been corroded or damaged by the water, you may need to replace certain parts in order to get your phone working again. The most commonly damaged parts that may need replacing are the battery and logic board.
When a phone is exposed to moisture, the battery terminals can start to corrode, which disrupts the flow of power. Replacing the battery can often get the phone powering back up. If the logic board got wet, it’s susceptible to short circuiting, which can disable many functions of the phone. Swapping out the logic board may be necessary for full functionality.
Before replacing any parts, turn off and disassemble your phone to inspect the interior. Look for any visible corrosion, mineral deposits, or moisture on key components like the battery, logic board, ports, and connectors. If you see significant damage, replacement is likely your best option for repair.
Replacement parts can often be purchased online or from phone repair shops. Be sure to get high quality, compatible replacement parts. Watch tutorial videos to learn proper installation techniques for your particular phone model. Taking your phone to a repair shop is another option if you are uncomfortable doing the repair yourself.
Replacing water damaged components can breathe new life into your malfunctioning phone. Just be prepared for the costs involved as replacement parts, tools, and technician labor can add up. But it may be worth it to salvage your phone rather than buying a costly new one.
Use Phone Drying Kits
Phone drying kits are specifically designed to help dry out water damaged phones and remove moisture from the internal components. They often contain silicon bead bags or packs that absorb moisture, as well as other helpful tools.
Silica gel beads work by absorbing water vapor and moisture from the air and environment inside your phone. Place your phone in an airtight container or ziplock bag with these desiccant packs for anywhere from 8 to 24 hours. The beads will pull water from inside your phone. Be sure to use enough desiccant packs to fully cover the phone in the container.
Vacuum drying machines create a closed low-pressure air environment to rapidly evaporate moisture from the phone’s interior without heat. Place your phone inside for the recommended time, often around 24 hours. These machines will dry all areas, including ports and buttons. They can be quite effective at saving water damaged devices if used properly.
Drying kits may also come with moisture absorbing cards or paper towels to place inside battery and SIM card slots, helping absorb any remaining liquid. These kits offer an accessible at-home solution before taking your phone to a repair shop or considering replacement.
Take Phone to Repair Shop
Taking your water damaged phone to a professional repair shop can be a good option if you want to ensure it gets thoroughly cleaned and fixed. Repair technicians have specialized tools and methods for opening phones, drying out components, and replacing any parts that got damaged by water exposure.
According to Gazelle, the average cost to repair water damage on a smartphone ranges from $60 for minor cleaning to $250 for more extensive repairs. Costs vary depending on the make and model of your phone.
Repair shops will completely disassemble the phone, use professional grade cleaning solutions and drying tools, and swap out any corroded parts like the battery or logic board. This gives you the best chance of getting your phone working again after water damage, as long as the damage isn’t catastrophic.
The downside is that repair costs can add up quickly. You’ll need to weigh the cost of professional repair versus simply replacing your water damaged phone, especially if it’s an older model.
Consider Phone Replacement
If the water damage to your phone is very extensive, it may not be economical to repair it. In such cases, it’s best to consider replacing your phone entirely.
According to one source, repairs for water damaged phones can range from $30 to over $500 depending on the model and extent of damage (https://www.gazelle.com/thehorn/2022/07/28/repair-cost-of-water-damaged-phone/). At a certain point, it becomes more cost effective to simply purchase a replacement phone rather than paying for expensive repairs.
Factors that may indicate your phone is beyond repair include not powering on at all, severe corrosion on the motherboard, shorts in electronic components, and permanent screen staining or distortion. If multiple key components are damaged, the total repair cost can exceed the value of the phone.
In these cases, it’s recommended to shop around for a good deal on a used or refurbished replacement phone of the same model. While certainly inconvenient, purchasing a replacement can be the most economical solution when water damage is too extensive. Just be sure to invest in a good waterproof case for your new phone!