How to Fix a Water-Damaged Phone in 8 Steps?

While water-resistant smartphones offer increased protection, it’s important to remember they are not fully waterproof. Accidents can still happen, and water damage remains a common issue for smartphone users. This type of damage can lead to problems with the screen, battery, buttons, and camera. Understanding the risks of water damage emphasizes the importance of knowing how to act quickly if your phone gets wet. This knowledge can potentially save your device.

8 Immediate Steps After Water Damage

1. Take it out of the liquid right away or ASAP. The longer it remains submerged, the more liquid will penetrate different openings.
2. Power it off after taking out from the liquid and keep it turning off like that.
3. Take off the protective case.
4. If feasible, open the back cover and take out the battery, SIM card, and microSD card (if applicable). In case you are uncertain about how to remove the SIM card, refer to our guides for iPhone and Android.
5. Utilize a cloth or paper towel to gently pat your phone dry. It is advisable to use lint-free fabric in order that there is no lint stuck to your phone. Moreover, avoid rubbing the phone, as this could inadvertently push liquid into its more delicate components. If the phone was fully submerged, you may consider very gently vacuuming around the phone’s creases and openings to remove more water.
6. Avoid exposing your phone to direct sunlight or heat. Instead, place it in a cool, dry location.
7. There must have been a suggestion about putting your phone in rice in case it unfortunately gets wet , but we advise against this method. Instead, consider using silica gel packets, similar to those often included with new products like shoes, as they have demonstrated greater effectiveness. Fill a plastic zip-top bag with silica gel packets and immerse the phone in the bag. Keep it in the bag for 24-48 hours.
8. As soon as your phone is fully dry, take it out and try to power it on. If it doesn’t turn on immediately, charge it fully and then try again.

How can you determine if your phone has suffered water damage?

Water, especially containing impurities or chemicals, can trigger corrosion on metal components within electronic devices like smartphones. When water meets metal contacts or circuitry, it can create a conducive environment for electrochemical reactions. This will result in the oxides or other compounds forming on the metal surfaces, ultimately degrading the conductivity and functionality of the electronic components over time.

On the other hand, when water seeps into your electronic devices like phones and collides live electrical components or conductive pathways, it is likely to generate unintended connections. This can lead to short circuits, wherein current travels along unintended paths, bypassing the intended circuitry. Short circuits may cause overheating, component damage, and in severe cases, present a fire risk.

Generally, water exposure poses a dramatic risk to the integrity and functionality of your phone, especially water containing impurities like salt, chlorinated, or chemicals. Therefore, it is essential for any users to protect them from moisture and ensure proper sealing and insulation in environments where water exposure is a concern. However, in some accidental cases, you need to have specific solutions to repair each type of problem.

Can rice repair phones damaged by water?

As mentioned above, it is usually advisable that your water damaged phone should be put into rice in order to dry and fix it. However, this method is still a myth. Although placing a water-damaged phone in a container of rice may appear to be a convenient solution, it is not an effective method for repairing the damage.

Many people believe that rice is able to absorb moisture from the air, which could potentially help dry out the phone. Nevertheless, there will be some limitations when users apply it:

• Limited effectiveness: Rice is only able to absorb the moisture from the phone’s surface but cannot touch internal parts which may also suffer from water. It’s unlikely to fully dry out the device, especially if the water has penetrated deep into the circuitry.
• Doesn’t address corrosion: As mentioned above, water damage possibly results in corrosion on the internal parts of the phone. If you only use rice to dry the device, there may still remain some problems with internal components, which could persist and cause further harm over time.
• Risk of further damage: Sometimes, putting your phone in rice during a long period may actually lead to further damage. Rice particles may become trapped in ports or small openings, potentially leading to additional complications when trying to restart the device.

Beside leaving the damaged phones into rice, there are some possible methods which are considered to be effective to dry phones but harmful such as using a hairdryer, placing phones in direct sunlight, shaking phones, or freezing the phones. Similar to using rice to dry the phone, those methods can only dry out the surface of damaged phones and they cannot touch the inside that potentially causes many other further damage.

Strategies for avoiding water damage in the future

In fact, there are many serious problems that can occur to your phone when it is seeped by water or other liquid. Thus, it is essential for users to keep in mind list of protective tips below:

• Use Waterproof Cases: Investing in a quality waterproof case for your phone can provide an extra layer of protection against water damage. These cases are designed to seal out moisture and prevent it from reaching your device, making them ideal for activities like swimming, hiking in rainy conditions, or simply everyday use in damp environments.

  

• Avoid Risky Environments: Be mindful of where you use your electronic devices, especially when it comes to water-prone areas. Avoid using your phone near swimming pools, beaches, or bodies of water where splashing or accidental submersion could occur. Similarly, keep your devices away from sinks, bathtubs, and other sources of water in your home.
• Use Moisture Detection Stickers: Many electronic devices come with built-in moisture detection stickers that change color when exposed to water. These stickers are often located inside the device near the battery or other vulnerable components. Regularly check these stickers to ensure they haven’t been activated, as this could indicate potential water damage.

In summary, although your phone is supposed to be waterproof, water damage can actually cause serious issues with the phone if you don’t take timely measures to remedy it. Try not to let any type of liquid penetrate your phone.

Provided that you are not sure about your phone’s condition when it accidentally suffers from water, let’s come with Phone Repair Centre. We guarantee to carefully check and provide you with effective phone repair methods at competitive prices. With a long period since our establishment, we promise to bring you high quality services.

FAQs 

How do you get moisture out of your phone?

Immediate Action:

• Turn off the phone immediately. Do not try to power it on.
• Remove the case, SIM card, and anything else removable.
• Pat dry external surfaces with a clean, absorbent cloth.

Desiccant:

• Submerge the phone in a container filled with a powerful desiccant (NOT rice). Silica gel packets (often found in packaging) are ideal. Seal the container.
• Leave the phone for at least 48 hours, longer if possible.

How do you fix a water damaged phone without rice?

• Silica gel packets, instant couscous, or crystal-based cat litter are all more effective desiccants than rice.
• If your phone got wet with something other than fresh water (salt water, sugary drinks), it’s best to seek professional help, as corrosion can set in quickly.

Can rice fix a wet phone?

• Rice is a very mild absorbent and it’s less effective than specialized desiccants.
• Rice can leave dust and particles inside your phone, potentially causing further issues.

How long does it take for water damage to affect a phone?

• Damage can happen very quickly, especially with saltwater or other corrosive liquids.
• Even if the phone appears to work after drying, internal corrosion can cause problems later.