Dropping your phone in water or getting it wet is something you never want to experience, but what  you do next is more important than how wet it is. Contrary to the common belief, it is possible to save a wet phone without any costs. If your phone gets wet, follow our instructions, and you should be able to repair it or avoid permanent damage.

How to save a wet non-water-resistant phone

There’s a lot of advice online about this topic, and the abundance of articles may lead you to believe that it’s so easy to save a wet phone. Regrettably, it is not. Every phone is unique, as is every spill. Furthermore, most phones these days lack removable parts such as the battery or memory card, making them more difficult to dry out than they used to be. This guide will not save every phone, but keep reading because we really hope it can save yours.

Turn your phone off immediately

Because of water’s famous conductivity, passing an electrical charge through any wet electrical circuit is bound to cause problems. However, wetting an off-circuit is far less dangerous than wetting an active one. And simply because an electrical device gets wet does not mean it is destroyed. If you’re quick, you can turn off your phone before the water reaches the sensitive parts.

Take out removable parts

Remove the SIM card and the micro-SD card if possible. If your phone allows you to remove the battery, do so as well. Don’t tap or shake your phone while doing this, as you may unwantedly direct the water inside to those sensitive parts. Just hold it still and take out all removable parts.

 Dry the phone with a soft towel

You can use a paper towel or cloth as well, but make sure it’s soft and free of lint. Double-check that no water enters cracks, crevices, or ports. Use the towel to dry any parts you were able to remove, such as the SIM card, microSD card, and battery.

• Avoid inserting the towel inside the charging port.
• Avoid inserting any other objects inside the charging port, like cotton swabs.
• Avoid pressing any keys or buttons on your phone.
• Avoid shaking, tapping, or banging the phone.
• Avoid putting a fan on it or blowing on it.
• Avoid charging the phone even if you have a wireless charging mat.
• Avoid using an external heat source to dry your phone.

Lay your phone on a towel in a dry location

You’ve reached the ‘wait and see’ stage of your journey. The most important thing you can do now is to allow your phone to dry. Put the phone somewhere safe that receives enough heat from the sun and let it remain there for several hours. Then, turn it back and wait for two or three more hours. By this time, your cell phone must be completely dry. If you want to be completely sure, let it remain there for a day before testing it.

Look for quirks

Hopefully, once dried, your phone will continue to function normally. At other times it could continue to work, but with minor malfunctions. Over the next few days, keep an eye on it and put it through key tasks like playing music, taking photos, and so on. If you notice any issues, the phone may need to be repaired or replaced.

How to save a wet water-resistant phone

If you bought your phone in recent years, it is most likely water-resistant. This does not, however, rule out the possibility of water damage. A water-resistant phone may function well after it gets wet, but if the water inside is not removed, the phone will be affected little by little and may stop working in the long run. If your phone is water-resistant and you want to learn how to save a wet phone.

Immediately turn it off

This is a tricky one. We used to think that if you have a waterproof phone, you don’t have to turn it off if it gets wet. Yet, for the reason explained above, turning off your phone, no matter the model, is a must. It’s better to be safe than sorry because you probably paid a lot of money for that phone. If you must leave your phone on, avoid using accessories like headphones or chargers. Remember, your phone should not be charged even with the use of a wireless charging mat.

If possible, contact the manufacturer of your phone

This is an important step. Every manufacturer we contacted had a solution for the “wet water-resistant phone” issue… but they weren’t always the same. Different phones are built in various ways and have varying degrees of water resistance.

So, after completing the “act immediately” tasks, reach the manufacturer’s helpline to inquire about the next steps. Documentation should be available online. Based on manufacturer recommendations, we’ve compiled the next steps for iPhone, Pixel, and Samsung devices. Apart from considering the tips provided here, we suggest you call your manufacturer as soon as possible.

Pat dry with a soft towel

Using a clean, soft towel that is free of lint, carefully dry your phone. Be careful with the amount of pressure that you apply to the phone while drying it. You may successfully dry it but end up breaking it! Never use a hair dryer to dry your wet phone. You may overheat some parts and damage the phone. Make sure that the charging port is properly dried and nothing is left inside.

Place your phone on a towel in an area with airflow

A fan can also be used to help dry the phone if it is not too powerful or too close to the device. It’s also a good idea to tap the phone a few times while holding it with the lightning connector facing down. Regarding Samsung phones, you can hold the speaker down and gently shake it a few times. However, if the Pixel 2 is wet, Google advises against tapping or shaking it. If you don’t know what to do with your specific model, try reaching out to an expert and ask for help. It makes no difference what kind of water-resistant smartphone you have. If it’s wet and off, it must remain off until completely dry.

Monitor for quirks

If everything goes well, your phone should continue to function well once it has dried. However, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on it over the next few days and test its performance. If you notice any issues, then you have to take it to an expert and get it repaired before it’s too late.

Conclusion

Taking care of your smartphone is not always as easy as it may sound. Getting your smartphone wet is always a probability which means you should know what to do when such a thing happens. In this article, what you should do if your phone gets wet. Follow our tips above, and you should be fine.