How to Save a Phone After Dropping It in Water?
According to DataReportal, around 1.12 billion cellular mobile connections are currently active in India. The way we are accustomed to using phones for almost everything these days, they are practically extensions of ourselves. We carry them everywhere — whether it is a day out at the beach, a quick trip to the coffee shop, or even into the bathroom. They are always within arm’s reach, helping us stay connected, entertained, and informed. But do you know that there is one common risk factor at all these places that can completely ruin your phone? It’s water!
Few things can make your heart race like the sight of your phone taking an accidental plunge into water. While a drop on solid ground is usually nothing more than a scare, water can cause real damage. Unfortunately, we do not have any data related to the Indian market, but around 11% of smartphones are ruined by water each year in Europe. The key to saving your phone in such cases is acting fast. Here are a few simple steps that can help you prevent water damage to your phone if you react promptly after dropping it in water.
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8 Simple Steps to Fix Your Water-Damaged Phone
- Turn It Off Right Away
- Remove the SIM Card and Accessories
- Wipe Off Excess Water
- Avoid Shaking or Blowing Air Into the Phone
- Place the Phone in a Drying Agent (Like Rice or Silica Gel)
- Check for Water Damage Indicators
- Power It On and Test the Functionality
- Seek Professional Help if Needed
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Damaged Phones
- How long will my phone last with water damage?
- Can water damage cause black screen?
- How Long Can a Phone Last in Water?
8 Simple Steps to Fix Your Water-Damaged Phone
Turn It Off Right Away
As soon as your phone hits the water, the first and most crucial step is to turn it off. While it is natural to feel like you should check if the phone is working, avoid doing it immediately. Always remember that water is one of the biggest enemies of electronics. If you leave the phone on even for a few seconds after taking it out of the water, the water can seep into circuits and cause a short circuit. A short circuit can brutally damage your phone and even burn the internal components. In such cases, the only thing you will be able to do is get it repaired by a professional. It can be expensive depending on the extent of the damage caused.
Remove the SIM Card and Accessories
After turning it off, your priority should be to ensure that water or moisture does not get trapped inside. Otherwise, it can corrode the internal components. Always take out the SIM card, microSD card, and other accessories to minimise the risk.
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SIM Card and MicroSD: Both your SIM card and MicroSD card can get damaged due to exposure to moisture. Water could ruin the cards and cause data loss or network connection issues. By removing them from your phone on time, you can prevent permanent water damage.
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Battery (If Removable): We know that many phones do not have a removable battery. But, if your phone does, take it out immediately. As you already know, a battery contains various chemicals. If these chemicals come in contact with water, it can result in a harmful chemical reaction that can completely destroy the battery or the phone.
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Accessories: Almost everyone uses phone cases and screen protectors these days. While they are for your phone’s protection, they can trap moisture against your phone and cause issues. For instance, your phone’s display will not function properly if moisture gets trapped between the screen and the screen protector. Similarly, other accessories can damage your phone and should not be used unless the phone is completely dry.
Wipe Off Excess Water
Leaving the phone alone after disassembling it will not dry off your phone. You must react promptly to dry off the surface. Use a paper towel or microfiber cloth and carefully dry the areas where you notice water. Give special attention to the corners and hard-to-reach places, like the charging port and headphone jack, as these are the areas where water can get stuck. However, be careful not to rub the phone too hard. You do not want to push water further into the phone. A gentle dabbing motion works best to absorb the surface moisture.
While a compressed air can may seem like a great solution for getting rid of water from hidden areas, avoid using it as it can push the water into deeper areas and make drying it extremely difficult.
Avoid Shaking or Blowing Air Into the Phone
Since we can shake our hands to remove water after getting wet, we feel we can apply the same logic to take water out of the phone. While it may feel tempting, the truth is that you cannot force water out by shaking the phone. It risks the water to get into parts that were not affected initially. The same can happen if you try to blow air from your mouth in areas that you cannot reach with your fingers.
Many people feel that a blow dryer can be beneficial because the warm air will get rid of the moisture. While it may seem logical, it is actually not that effective. This is because the air has to reach a certain temperature before it can completely eradicate moisture. But, the same temperature also risks damaging the internal components of the phone. So, even if you manage to get rid of moisture completely, chances are you will end up damaging the phone in the process.
Place the Phone in a Drying Agent (Like Rice or Silica Gel)
We have clearly explained that you should not blow air to dry off the water in unreachable places. So, the next question that comes to mind is, how to dry off the phone completely then? Well, a very popular DIY fix for water-damaged phones used by many Indians is putting the phone in a container filled with uncooked rice. The logic behind this is that rice is a hygroscopic material and will draw out the moisture from your phone if the container is filled with rice.
While it is an effective method and can get results, we do not recommend this. Rice dust and small particles can get inside your phone and damage it.
Instead, you should consider choosing silica gel packets. These are often kept with clothes and shoes in the storage to prevent mould and mildew. Seal the phone in a small jar or box with a few silica gel packets. It should absorb the moisture in 24 to 48 hours. Make sure that you do not rush and take the phone out within just a few hours to test it. If moisture is still inside the phone, turning your phone can short-circuit it.
Check for Water Damage Indicators
Did you know that there are certain signs that indicate water damage to your phone? Many smartphones have small stickers in them. If it gets exposed to moisture, it will change its colour. These are often found inside the SIM tray or behind the battery (if your phone has a removable one). If you can spot them, it is a good idea to check whether they have turned red or pink. A red or pink sticker is a sure sign that water has made its way into the phone.
There is not much that you can do in this case. This is just a method that will help to check if your phone is exposed to moisture or not. The only solution is to take the phone to a professional to fix it.
Power It On and Test the Functionality
If you do not notice any signs of water damage and your phone has completely dried off, it is finally time to turn on the phone. If it turns on, that is a good sign — but your job is not finished yet. To ensure your phone is working just fine, you will have to check all the parts and features of your phone. First check the basics — the touchscreen, camera, speaker, microphone, charging port, etc. If they are working fine, check other aspects like the sensors, connectivity settings, etc. Try to be thorough when checking because small issues can become severe over time.
Seek Professional Help if Needed
If, after all these steps, your phone still is not working properly, it is time to call in the experts. Many repair shops specialise in fixing water-damaged phones and have access to cutting-edge tools that can remove moisture more effectively than home remedies. However, it is important that you act quickly or the phone can get damaged beyond repair. The only solution you will be left with in such cases is to sell your old phone and buy a new one.
Also Read: Signs you Need to Sell your Phone and Buy a New One
Mobilegoo provides you with the best platform to sell phones in India. We have a very simple and quick phone-selling process. You just have to select your phone model, answer a few short questions about its condition, and confirm the sale. Our pickup executive will visit your home, check the condition, and process the payment instantly. There are absolutely no delays!
Also Read: Selling Your Old/Used Phone In Bangalore? Get Instant Payment with Mobilegoo
We know that buying a new phone suddenly may not be feasible for you. This is why we suggest buying refurbished phones or pre-owned or unboxed phones in such cases. At Mobilegoo, you get up to 80% discount on them and can easily find many great phones at the lowest prices. The reason behind the huge discounts is that we do not have any third-party sellers. Therefore, the prices do not include any additional commissions that you will find on other platforms. Also, all our devices are covered under warranty and will be replaced within 7 days of purchase if you find any issues.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Water Damaged Phones
How long will my phone last with water damage?
There is no right answer to this. The lifespan of a water-damaged phone depends on the extent of damage caused. So, if the phone was not exposed to water for long, and you acted quickly to dry it, your phone should continue to work normally. However, in some cases, the water can cause long-term damage through corrosion. Hence, even if your phone is working now, there is no telling whether it will continue to work fine or not in the coming years. You may start noticing problems after weeks or months later, like screen malfunctions, decreased battery life, or screen flickering.
Can water damage cause black screen?
Yes, water damage to your phone can cause a black screen. When water seeps into the phone, it disrupts the connections between the display and the internal hardware, leading to a black screen. A black screen is a major problem and can indicate damage to the phone’s motherboard and other components. While water damage can cause a black screen, there are other issues that can have the same impact. So, just because you have a black screen, it does not always mean water damage.
How Long Can a Phone Last in Water?
Many phones are marketed as water-proof phones and also come with a water resistance rating. They basically have an IP (Ingress Protection) rating that determines how well they can withstand water. For example, a phone with an IP68 rating should not get damaged in up to 1.5 meters of water for about 30 minutes. However, we still do not recommend trying it. Water can start affecting the phone’s internal components within seconds, and the risk is simply just not worth it.