Having a water-logged phone can be very distressing, especially with the damage that comes after the plunge leading to significant inconvenience, financial cost, and loss of valuable information for the phone owner.
Whether it’s a kitchen accident, poolside dips, a bathroom mishap or torrential rain, a mobile phone owner can mitigate further damage to the device with a few easy steps to give it a chance for recovery.
With timely action and the right approach, this step-by-step guide can aid in fixing the water damage and could potentially save the device from unrepairability.
Step 1: Remove The Device From The Water
It may be an obvious move, but it is the most important as it helps in stopping further damage to the phone’s interior components. The longer the device remains in the water, the harder it will be to recover so time is of the essence.
Step 2: Turn It Off Immediately
If your phone is still on, power it off right away to prevent any short circuits.
Turning the device off after it becomes water-logged cuts off the power source and stops the flow of electricity through the device, reducing the chances of short-circuiting, and further damage to the device.
Step 3: Disassemble Any Detachable Parts
After powering down your phone, remove the phone’s accessories that detach, including the phone case, SIM card, memory card or in some cases the battery to help in evaluating the extent of damage and set them aside for separate drying.
It is advisable to note that for phones whose battery is attached to the device, the user should seek professional disassembly to take the device apart, which should only be done by phone technicians.
Step 4: Dry Off Excess Water
After the device is disassembled, use a dry cloth or paper towel to blot excess water from your phone pieces. Make sure you do this gently, dabbing rather than rubbing, to avoid any further damage to your phone.
Do not use a hairdryer, fan heater, oven, or microwave to dry the phone, as excessive heat can cause further damage.
Step 5: Soak Up the Moisture
After the surface of the phone is dry, place the phone in a container with silica gel packets or other desiccants that can help absorb moisture. Ensure the phone is completely covered.
Uncooked rice could act as an alternative desiccant, but is not advised to use as it is not designed to completely get the moisture out of the water-logged device. Instead, the rice method could be used if the device had brief exposure to water, or resort to placing your phone parts next to a fan or air conditioning vent.
Step 6: Wait It Out
Leave your phone components in your preferred drying method for a period of not less than 24 to 48 hours. This time frame ensures most moisture evaporates from the device’s interior components, reducing the risk of short circuits and damage. The precise drying time for your phone varies based on factors such as the drying method used and the level of water exposure.
The typical drying time for silica gel is 24 hours. If you use rice or a fan for drying, the duration of 48 hours is recommended.
If your phone was only briefly exposed to water, it might dry more quickly. However, if the phone was fully submerged or experienced significant water exposure, a longer drying time may be required.
It’s important to be patient during the drying period and refrain from powering on the phone prematurely, which could lead to immediate or delayed malfunction of various components.
Step 7: Power On and Test
After the phone has had ample time to dry, you can test it to see if it is functional by turning it on. Check to see if the device has a normal boot-up, functional touch screen and clear audio. If so, the device is not damaged. If it doesn’t turn on, try charging it first.
Step 8: Seek Professional Help
If the phone still doesn’t turn on or displays a distorted screen or unusual noises, it may be necessary to seek a professional repair service or contact the manufacturer for further assistance to avoid exacerbating the damage.
It is important to note that while the steps can help alleviate further damage to the device, water can be detrimental to the phone, causing long-term issues, so it is advisable to regularly back up your data.
