Your phone can be a victim of water damage in a second. You might be texting by the sink, taking a photo at the beach, or reaching for your phone with wet hands. In the blink of an eye, your phone slips, splashes, and suddenly it’s soaking wet.
Panic sets in. What should you do now and how to save a wet phone? You may have heard a dozen so-called fixes from friends or the internet. Drop your soaking wet phone in rice or dry it with a hairdryer. However, do these water damage myths really work?
Most of them don’t. Indeed, they can worsen the situation. This guide is here to help you avoid such myths and show you what actually works. So, you can give your phone the best shot at survival.
Whether you are struggling with a quick splash or a deep dunk, the guide has your back.
The Biggest Water Damage Myths
Let’s begin by clearing out the bad advice. Here are the water damage myths you should avoid. Otherwise, you may end up hurting your mobile phone even more.
1. Put the Water-Damaged Phone in a Bag or Bowl of Rice
This is the #1 popular myth out there. The reason? Many believe that rice will absorb the moisture from your soaking wet phone.
What’s the truth? Rice doesn’t dry out electronics effectively. On top of that, rice can leave behind dust or small particles that get into your phone’s ports. In return, things can get complicated.
In short, rice is not magical. You might feel like it’s working. However, it’s mostly just giving your phone enough time to dry on its own.
2. Water-Resistant Means Your Phone is Fine
Save a wet phone can be tricky, especially if the maker says it’s water-resistant. However, the truth is bitter. Water-resistant electronics are not immune to liquid damage.
To be clear, these devices can handle moisture for a short time in controlled conditions. However, they can’t afford to be underwater for longer periods.
Your device can corrode and get damaged easily if it’s exposed to more than a splash. This can happen even if your phone has a water resistance label.
3. Use a Hairdryer to Speed Up Drying
You want to save an iPhone from water damage, and this seems logical. Blowing hot air on anything wet should help the drying process. However, this water damage myth doesn’t work for electronics.
Hot air from a dryer can push moisture deeper into the phone. Plus, its extreme temperature can melt the phone’s internal parts. It involves a high risk of damaging the battery.
4. If the Wet Phone Turns On, It’s Working
This is not always true. Water can seep into your phone and corrode parts over time. So, even if your phone turns on after a splash, it might still be at stake. Damage can show up hours or even days later.
5. Rubbing Alcohol Can Save Your Phone
Sometimes, rubbing alcohol is advised to displace water within the affected phone. This is not the complete truth. Isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol can be used for cleaning electronics. However, pouring alcohol over your phone won’t make any difference.
Using isopropyl alcohol to soak up moisture can damage sensitive parts. This includes the adhesive found in screens and seals.
6. Put the Phone in the Freezer
Yes, this is another leading one among water damage myths. Some believe freezing will prevent the water from spreading. However, the truth is that water expands when it freezes.
Therefore, your phone will feel more strain when you keep it in the freezer. In short, your device will sustain more internal damage. Plus, freezing doesn’t reverse water damage. It just delays the damage, along with more pressure.
7. Leave Your Wet Phone in the Sun
Undoubtedly, sunlight is a natural drying method. So, you might think that leaving your phone in the sunlight will dry your phone faster. So, prolonged exposure to the sunlight will overheat the phone.
High temperatures can harm your phone’s screen, battery, and other internal parts.
8. Small Splashes Are Not Harmful
Did you just breathe a sigh of relief just because your phone was not fully submerged? To be honest, exposure to small amounts of water for a limited period can still lead to internal damage. Liquid, especially when it’s sugary, salty, or has minerals, can cause corrosion. So, you should be aware of a small spill as well.
How to Save a Wet Phone
So far, you have seen all the water damage myths, and they mostly fail. Now that you have knocked out myths, it’s time to save an iPhone from water damage. Well, you can try the following steps to keep any type of phone safe after water damage.
Keep in mind, time is precious when you are dealing with water damage. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the smartphone.
Turn in Your Damaged Phone Immediately
What to do if your phone gets wet but still works? Don’t continue using it. Instead, turn your phone off as soon as possible. Electricity and water—it’s a deadly combination. A wet phone that is still on is more likely to short-circuit.
Detach Accessories and More
Your smartphone isn’t alone. It has a protective case, SIM card, and more removable accessories. So, here’s what you should do:
- Take off any protective case.
- Additionally, remove the SIM card from your phone.
- If your phone has any memory or a microSD card, take it out as well.
- Unplug all the accessories, including chargers, headphones, etc.
All these can trap moisture separately and lead to more damage.
Dry the Phone’s Exterior Gently
How to save a wet phone? After removing all detachable parts, dry the outside with a soft, lint-free paper or cloth. Make sure you are gentle at this step. Pressing or shaking too hard can push water deeper inside.
Use a Vacuum or Silica Gel
Do you have a vacuum with a small nozzle? Then, you can use it to draw moisture out of the ports. Hold the vacuum close, but it should not touch the phone directly.
Are you looking for an alternative to rice to absorb the moisture within? Well, you can try silica gel packs that come in packaging or shoe boxes. They can absorb moisture without causing further damage to your phone.
So, put your phone in an airtight container with several silica gel packs. Leave your phone in this condition for 24 to 48 hours.
Let Your Phone Dry for 24-48 Hours
Now, this tests your patience. We know you can’t stay without your phone. However, you should not rush it. Keep your phone powered off and in a dry place. If you don’t have silica gel packs, you can place the phone in front of a fan or near dry airflow.
Avoid high temperatures. Also, don’t check if the phone works every few hours. Every time you power it on before it’s completely dry, you risk more damage.
Tips and Tricks to Avoid Future Water Damage
Now, you are aware of water damage myths and what works. Since accidents can constantly happen, you should be extra careful. Indeed, the following tips can help:
Get a Waterproof Case
If you spend time near water (like a kitchen sink, pool, or beach), a water-resistant or waterproof case is a smart move.
Keep a Silica Gel Stash
Next time you get silica gel packs from packaging or boxes, don’t throw them out. Instead, consider storing them in a Ziploc bag. They come in handy for emergencies.
Learn Your Phone’s IP Rating
Newer phones are often available with water-resistant ratings such as IP67 or IP68. This reveals how much water exposure your phone can endure. However, don’t test their limits.
Avoid Using Your Phone in Rain or Steam
How to save a wet phone? Don’t let your phone suffer from water damage in the first place. Make sure you don’t take calls in the rain or use your phone near steam, like in the bathroom.
Time to Seek Professional Help…
If your wet phone doesn’t turn on even after 48 hours of drying, you must see a mobile repair professional near me. What to do if your phone gets wet but still works? Call Atdoorstep and hire water damage repair specialists to prevent internal corrosion.
You are already aware of the water damage myths. Don’t try them if you want actual results. Call the professionals to restore your device in a single shot.
