In this article we will tell you what to do if your phone falls into water. The information is relevant at the moment because for almost all smartphones that do not have an IP67 or IP68 rating, moisture can cause serious damage. In this case, water begins to flow inside the case, hitting the board, processor and causing short circuits.
If your phone falls into water, you should not panic; it is better to try to remove it from the liquid as quickly as possible. After all, the longer the phone is in water, the greater the likelihood of damage to the motherboard components. Most people in such a situation will immediately begin to press all sorts of buttons to check the functionality of the phone, but this absolutely cannot be done to avoid a short circuit.
However, if the smartphone has a non-removable battery and remains on after the dive, then the first thing you need to do is turn it on using the power button, and if the battery is removable, then immediately remove it from the phone. Along with the battery, you also need to remove the SIM card and memory card. Next, wipe the phone and its removable parts with a dry cloth and make sure there are no liquid residues.
Under no circumstances should you try to dry your smartphone with a hairdryer, nor should you blow into the phone or shake it, as such actions may cause water to get into other components of the device. You can get rid of moisture inside your phone using the following 5 methods.
Isopropyl and ethyl alcohols
For many years, isopropyl and ethyl alcohols have been available and inexpensive products that have been used to clean radio circuit boards. As mentioned earlier, the main reason for device failure is corrosion of the motherboard elements, and isopropyl alcohol contains chemical elements that help prevent this corrosion and remove moisture. Also, their modern analogues are water-based cleaning liquids; such liquids are not conductors of electric current, and their evaporation occurs instantly.
The fact is that when water turns into ice, its molecules have less conductive effect due to the increase in the distance between the molecules, which prevents a short circuit.
If the phone does not turn on the first time, then try repeating the procedure again, and after several attempts your phone will most likely turn on.
However, if you keep your smartphone in the refrigerator, you can get the opposite effect and make the situation worse.
Drying your phone with absorbents
The method is already familiar to many, as it is very popular on the Internet. One of these substances is rice. It's no secret that rice absorbs moisture, and in theory, submerging your phone in a suitable container of rice should do the same trick for it.
This method has an undeniable advantage, since it eliminates the possibility of carelessly turning on the device while there is a large amount of moisture inside it. However, this method does not guarantee complete restoration of the smartphone, because the water contained can cause oxidation of the contacts and elements of the device’s motherboard and, as a result, lead to negative consequences.
Compressed air
The main purpose of this method is to try to speed up the drying process. The best option in this case is a cylinder with compressed air inside. Such cylinders are often used when cleaning hard-to-reach components, computer motherboards and laptops from dust.
To implement this method, pass air using a balloon through various openings of the phone: speakers, microphone, charging connector and audio connector. Cleaning should be focused on the charging port, as it is closest to the battery compartment, which will give you more room for air to move.
Remember that this method is more of a preventative measure and will not eliminate moisture as effectively as possible.
Synthetic dehumidifiers
This solution provides a quick and easy way to rid your phone of water that has gotten into it. On the vast expanses of well-known Internet sites there are many similar accessories for small electronic devices.
Synthetic desiccants are hermetically sealed plastic bags with special granules inside that effectively absorb moisture. The only disadvantage of this method is the cost. In our countries, such accessories are not in great demand, and not everyone would dare to pay 1,200 rubles for them.
Modern mobile devices do not get along with moisture at all. But since he is almost always with us, at work, on walks and in the bathroom, it is not always possible to protect him from contact with liquid. A puddle, a washing machine, tea, a pond... All this can separate us from our favorite gadget. You usually don’t want to be separated, so it’s logical to ask the question. How to save a phone that has fallen into water?
If your phone falls into the water, and the option of throwing it away and forgetting is not considered at all, you will have to rescue it.
What to do if your phone falls into water
- After phone fell into water, it must be removed from there immediately. The less time he spent in a puddle or in the washing machine, the greater the chance of his recovery. If the device does not turn off on its own after contact with liquid, it must be turned off immediately. The fact that it is working now does not guarantee that it will not “die” in 20 minutes.
- It is still possible to save a purchased device, the main thing is not to panic and know what and how to do correctly.
- After turning off, remove all liquid from the surface. Use napkins, towels, toilet paper, whatever is at hand, there is no choice. Next you need to remove all the parts that can be removed. First of all, remove the battery. This way you can still save it from moisture and oxidation.
- In addition, you need to remove the protective film from the screen and take out the SIM card.
- The card usually does not suffer much from moisture, but in order not to lose the information stored on it, it is better to dry it too. Also remove the memory card (if any) and try to disassemble the device as much as possible. Remove everything possible without damaging the microcircuit.
IMPORTANT! If the phone falls into water and does not turn on, you can be “congratulated”, you lost him. It is strictly forbidden to turn on the device until it is completely dry. Contacts that may not have burned out yet will burn out. If the phone fell into water and does not work, and you tried to turn it on while wet, you will have to take it in for repairs.
The phone fell into the water, how to dry it
The device will have to dry for at least a day. Quickly drying your gadget with a hairdryer is not a good idea. A powerful stream of hot air can force liquid inside the device, even if it itself did not get there. Moreover, the hot air itself has a detrimental effect on the sensors of a mobile device.
The battery can be placed near the switched on heater. It is better not to place the battery or the entire device directly on the heater. The device itself can be placed in any moisture-absorbing material. 
There is an opinion that if a phone falls into water, it can be immersed in alcohol. Alcohol will dissolve moisture in the mobile without harming the microcircuits. You can also place the device in a bowl of rice or Seliko gel, which is placed in a box with shoes. The gadget will need to be left in this position for 2-3 days. 
After a day of drying, you can try to turn on the affected device. Most often, timely measures are enough to make the tube “come to life.” If this does not happen and the phone does not turn on, you should think about visiting a service center or buying a new one.
How to fix a phone that fell into water
In the case when all resuscitation efforts to save a cell phone have not brought results, the cell phone does not work, or the screen does not work, the question arises: is it possible to repair a phone that has fallen into the water. It is possible, provided that you understand the structure of gadgets, and after your repair there will be no unnecessary parts left. 
If the phone falls into water and the screen does not respond, but the device turns on, return it to dry for another day. If a touchscreen phone falls into water and the sensor does not work after drying, you will most likely have to replace it. Based on the prices for replacing damaged parts, you can already think about buying a new gadget.
If the phone is dropped into water and the speaker does not work, while other functions are normal, the contacts are most likely oxidized. You can try to disassemble the device and clean the contacts. The same can be done if the phone falls into water and does not charge. Provided that you can freely disassemble and reassemble your device. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better not to take risks. 
If disassembling the gadget yourself is problematic for you, you should take it to a service center. A competent technician will professionally eliminate the consequences of “bathing” inside the device. In any case, a repairman who knows the intricacies of repairs will fix problems better than the most well-read user.
It’s worth noting right away that you won’t be able to send a mobile phone that has been in water for warranty repair. Nowadays, most companies that produce phones have equipped them with moisture sensors. And any master will determine this immediately by disassembling the device. When phone fell into water, repair not covered under warranty.
In general, even if neither you nor the technician at the service center managed to save the device, there is still no reason to be upset. What a reason to buy a brand new mobile phone with improved functions. Besides, while the drowned device was being revived, you were used to using another gadget and weren’t particularly worried about it. It's better to take this as a reason to change your life for the better.
Six simple steps to save your device.
Accidentally dropped your smartphone into a sink or pond, left your phone in your jeans while they were going to be washed, or spilled juice, tea or coffee on your phone? This can happen to anyone at least once, and not all phones are protected from moisture, such as Samsung Galaxy S7, Apple iPhone 7 or Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. Spilled liquid is dangerous due to both short circuit and corrosion of the smartphone. If the correct measures are not taken in time, a smartphone that has been in water will experience a complete or partial malfunction. The site's team of experts has tried all known methods to solve the problem and offers simple steps to save your phone.
1. Get your phone out of the water
The very first thing you need to do if your phone falls into water is to pull the device out of the water as quickly as possible (if you spilled liquid on it, go to step 2 of these instructions). Seconds can count - liquid can easily leak and penetrate into the phone case if it is not protected from water. However, if your phone is being charged from the network at this moment, then under no circumstances touch the device and the charger! It may be dangerous! First, turn off the power to the outlet, and only then remove the phone from the water.
The longer the phone is in the water, the less chance of a favorable outcome. Even if the cover and case elements fit tightly together, water can freely penetrate to the chips, for example, through ports and connectors for charging and headphones, or openings in speakers and microphones. But even if the phone has been in contact with water for a long time, you still have a chance to save the device.
2. Remove the battery, SIM card and memory card
Free the phone from the case (if there is one), remove the cover of the device and remove the battery from the phone case (if the case is collapsible and the battery is removable) so that the chips on the board do not oxidize. Next, take out a SIM card and a memory card - contacts and data on them are sometimes more valuable than the smartphone itself.
Do not turn on your phone under any circumstances. It is better not to press any buttons or keys again, as this may cause the water to go even further into the body. If any peripheral devices were connected to the smartphone, then disconnect them; if the ports are covered with plugs, then leave them open for ventilation.
3. Wipe your phone
Thoroughly wipe down your smartphone and anything you took out of the phone. A dry, absorbent rag or towel is suitable for this. Carefully remove every drop from accessible surfaces (depending on whether your phone has a collapsible case or not), because even one remaining drop can destroy the phone. Be careful not to leave pieces of paper or fabric inside the cabinet, in corners, or in crevices. If there is still water inside the device, you can try to gently “shake” the liquid out of it. However, you should not get carried away and do it with force - there is a risk that water may penetrate even deeper into the device.
4. Disassemble your smartphone
As a rule, it is enough to get by with the cover removed and the battery removed. However, if you believe in your abilities and have experience, then disassemble the phone into the smallest possible individual parts. This is done so that the air (or absorbent substance) has a large contact area for good circulation and drying.
It is worth considering that in this case you will lose the warranty, but most often the warranty on a smartphone does not cover cases of “swimming” in water, so in this regard you will not lose much. We advise you to record or photograph the disassembly process step by step, this will help you quickly and correctly reassemble the device after drying. After you have disassembled the phone, repeat the steps from the previous paragraph.
If you spill juice, tea, coffee, wine or beer on your phone, be sure to wash the stains with distilled water or alcohol so that there are no traces left that can then dry out. These drinks contain many chemical elements that, remaining on the surface of the device elements, destroy them, so they must be removed. If this is not done, then your device will die at the most unexpected moment, taking with it valuable information to the “other world”.
5. Dry your phone
Now all that remains is to dry the smartphone. There is an opinion that it is best to dry your phone with a hairdryer, but we do not recommend resorting to this method. If there is moisture left somewhere, the hairdryer can send it even deeper into the case, which can only “finish off” the phone. Also, do not dry the device in the oven or microwave. For such situations, a vacuum cleaner with narrow attachments is more suitable.
If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner at hand and, at your own peril and risk, decide to use a hairdryer, then turn on the warm stream not much warmer than room temperature and keep your distance (distance to parts). A vacuum cleaner, on the contrary, will draw out moisture. You need to bring it with a narrow nozzle to each of the holes and gaps and hold it for a few minutes. Just in case, make sure that everything is securely fastened and will not go inside the vacuum cleaner (especially if you disassembled the smartphone).
You can also dry electronics in rice, but it is preferable to use silica gel. You can also simply dry the components in a dry room on plain paper for about one and a half to two days. The disadvantage of silica gel and rice is that they themselves quickly become saturated with moisture and over time the rate of moisture absorption decreases. You will have to turn your smartphone or replace the absorbent every couple of hours, so air drying is much easier.
By the way, if you use substances that draw out moisture, it is better to put them with the phone in a small sealed package.
6. Assemble and turn on
After one and a half to two days, you can assemble and turn on the device. First, check your phone to make sure all connectors and parts are dry and clean. If yes, then you can assemble the device. If you have not disassembled the phone in detail, then simply insert the battery. Try turning on your smartphone with or without a battery, but from the mains. There could be several scenarios here. If in both cases the mobile phone turns on, then check if everything is working properly. If not, but the computer responds to it via the USB cable, or the phone turns on or responds to charging from the network, then perhaps a new battery will help. If in both cases nothing works, then you should contact the service center. It may often happen that the phone starts, but does not work correctly; in such cases, you can repeat the above steps (there is probably still liquid left somewhere) or take it to a service center for repairs and tell them that the phone was in water and that you they did to him. Please note that even if the smartphone turns on or works after replacing the battery, a corrosion process may begin inside your device, which will act like a time bomb and “kill” it at the most unexpected moment. It can take quite a long time, and only a service center can help you deal with it by treating the board with an anti-corrosion solution.
By following these simple instructions, you can try to save and revive your phone. However, remember that there is simply no 100% guarantee in such cases. To protect yourself from such situations, you can buy special waterproof cases or follow simple precautions. Take care of your gadgets!
Let us remind you that on our website you can view the results of smartphone tests. Our experts tested the quality of popular models in the laboratory and, based on the test results, compiled a rating of smartphones.
Want to understand other important issues? Read
Still, it's a high-tech device that probably costs several hundred dollars, and there's a very good chance it won't work if it gets wet. Unless of course you have one of those amazing waterproof smartphones like the LG G6 or .
Attention! You should definitely check out the list of their features and prices. 🤩
Although more and more phone manufacturers over the past two to three years have begun to produce smartphones with waterproof casings. However, not all of us have the opportunity to buy a waterproof smartphone, and this means that we need to use other ways to protect it.
The best way to protect your phone from water is to take precautions in advance by using something like a waterproof case for situations where you know you'll be coming into contact with water.
What to do if your smartphone does fall into the water?
Let me start with the fact that you should know that it’s 50/50 to count on the functionality of a phone that has gotten water inside. There is no guarantee that the smartphone will actually be saved.
With the following tips, I want to increase the likelihood that your phone will get out of this unfortunate situation. So let's get started.
Dropped your phone in water? Take it out of the water and make sure it is turned off!
I know it's hard to react quickly, but you have to pull yourself together! The longer your device remains underwater, the lower its chances of survival. You should immediately remove your phone from the water.
As soon as you remove your phone from the water, make sure it is turned off. Even if everything seems fine with it... just in case, turn it off. If your phone is still on, simply turn it off or remove the battery if you can. Then place it somewhere safe, preferably on a flat surface on top of some paper towels.
The good news is that even non-waterproof smartphones today tend to be a little more resistant to water than older phones, and so there are a few things you should or shouldn't do.
What not to do after water gets into your phone
- Don't turn on your phone! As I already wrote above. Water is a good conductor and it must be turned off to avoid short circuiting.
- Don't press any buttons. This may cause further water to enter the phone. It's best to try to shake it as little as possible.
- Do not shake or blow on the device. This may also push water into deeper areas of the phone. Especially try to avoid impact dryers - not only because of the blower part, but also because of the next point.
- Don't heat up your phone. Remember that excessive heat can also damage your phone.
- Don't move your phone too quickly. Everything is the same as in the previous paragraphs, so that the water does not move inside the phone.
Disassemble a phone that has fallen into water
Don't go wrong with this step: What I mean is that you should delete everything that a normal user can delete. If the back cover is removable, remove it. Likewise, try removing the battery (if possible), SIM card and SD card. Place it all on a paper towel.
If you are an experienced techie and know all the ins and outs of the phone, and are not afraid of voiding the warranty, you can go ahead and disassemble the smartphone completely. This will help dry each part faster. Just be careful, if you don't know what you're doing, you'll do more harm than good.
Try drying with a paper towel
First we need to try to get rid of the water using a paper towel to dry each component. Just make sure you don't fiddle with your phone too much. Gently dry everything without shaking it too much.
Suck up the water with a vacuum cleaner
Of course, there are areas that a paper towel can't reach. I told you not to blow on the phone, I didn't tell you not to suck water. In fact, a vacuum cleaner can suck water droplets off your phone without much risk. Just make sure the suction doesn't cause the phone to shake excessively.
Time to dry
The hardest part is that the phone cannot be touched for a long period of time. This means you won't be able to use your smartphone! If you have another phone you can borrow, just make sure the SIM card is completely dry and insert it into the working handset. Otherwise, just use public phones or smoke bombs.
Nowadays it is a very common practice to cover the phone with bags of rice and let it lick for about 2-3 days.
But why rice? Mainly because it is in every home. The idea is that rice is very good at absorbing moisture, which makes the environment around the phone drier and therefore helps dry the device faster. But there are alternatives that may be better.
So, you did everything you could, and a few days passed. It's time to see if all your hopes have come true. Remove the phone from where you left it, insert the battery, etc. Then try turning on the phone. If it turns on and all the buttons work, congratulations!
Tell us about your experience!
Have any of you tried these methods? What other tips do you have that are not listed above? Write in the comments! Thank you!
Electronics are terribly afraid of water. Therefore, if your phone falls into the water, quickly start rescuing the “drowning person”. The sooner you come to the rescue, the more likely it is that the mobile device will “come to life” under your strict guidance. Analogies with a drowning creature are appropriate here. Think less about whether the patient is alive or dead, start acting faster! Wait a couple of minutes - and the phone will no longer be saved.
This recipe for saving a mobile device is applicable to any hardware. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a phone or a tablet, Android or iPhone. Water can leak into the player, electronic watches, and fitness trackers.
Cases of dangerous penetration of water into the phone
- The phone fell (in a puddle, sea/river, etc.) and does not turn on
- You went swimming in the water with your phone, forgetting to take it out of your shorts
- You foolishly dropped it in the toilet while taking a selfie or looking at pictures
- The phone was doused with water
- We washed the phone in the washing machine and it's still intact.
- Ate and dropped the phone in the soup while talking
So, the liquid got inside. What urgent procedures need to be performed with a phone that has fallen into water?
First steps to take if water (liquid) gets into your phone
Get the drowned phone out of the water as quickly as possible. Do not make sudden movements so that the liquid does not distribute inside and penetrate even further: into the electronics, under the case.
Every second counts. In the best case, water will not get on the electronic components of the phone. At worst, if the phone falls into the water, even a waterproof phone or tablet cannot withstand the depth and will fail instantly.
Advice. If you dropped your mobile phone in the toilet, you can put on gloves (don’t be disdainful: the life of your iron friend is at stake). And for the future, know that it is better not to talk on the phone and write at the same time in the toilet. This is inconvenient and even dangerous.
Quickly turn off the phone (take out the battery)
Turn off the phone (if it is still working) and remove the battery by removing the phone cover. This will prevent short circuiting - one of the main dangers and the reason for the phone to fail.
Advice. There is no need to test the phone's performance immediately after you have saved it from drowning. The worst thing is to leave the battery in the phone and start calling friends, checking the quality of the connection. With these rash actions you will literally kill your phone.
Make the most of your phone
In addition to the battery, you need to remove all parts that can be dismantled. SIM card and SD card - first of all. This is done:
- for the safety of removed components ()
- so that the phone dries faster and there is no interference with the air during drying.
If you know how to remove other, smaller parts of the phone, do so.
Drying your mobile device
Remember also that the faster the water dries, the greater the chance that it will not penetrate inside. To begin, gently wipe the phone with a dry cloth and wipe off any moisture on the surface.
To speed up the drying of your phone, a hairdryer or vacuum cleaner is suitable. Use a narrow nozzle so you can dry the holes. The iPhone is especially sensitive to such temperature changes.
You need to dry the phone carefully and at a sufficient distance so that the microcircuits are not exposed to thermal effects - they simply do not melt. For a hair dryer, use only cold drying mode!
Advice. Dry your phone at a distance that you consider comfortable for yourself. The fact is that a hairdryer can do a bad job if you haven't wiped down your phone. Moisture under air pressure will penetrate inside.
Additional drying of the inside of the phone
The drying process cannot be rushed. After making sure that there are no droplets of moisture on the surface of the phone, leave it alone for 48 hours. Place your phone on a dry, absorbent cloth (such as a towel).
Advice. For effective drying, dip your phone in a pile of dry rice. It absorbs moisture perfectly. It is advisable not to eat rice after drying. Especially if you took the phone out of the toilet.
Conclusion. What to do if you couldn’t save your phone from water
These methods do not always help in cases where the phone is dropped into water and does not turn on (often some component falls off - for example, a microphone or camera - what is located on top). We hope these tips helped you save money on a new iPhone or Android.
If it doesn’t help and the phone still gives up, contact the repair shop.
Think positive and believe in miracles. You did everything you could. If you managed to save your friend in this way or you have questions, write and share.
