Ever dropped your phone down the toilet, in the sink or put it through a wash cycle in your jeans pocket? It usually means that the phone is ruined but if you’re quick you may be able to save it. As you are no doubt aware, water and electricity don’t mix, it’s not the water itself that does the damage it’s the shorts that occur due to the water ingress when your phone is still switched on! If you are able to turn your phone off in time you may be able to dry out your wet phone and revive it!
Steps to dry out a wet phone
1. Remove the phone from the water as soon as possible. The plastic casing of phones is designed to be slightly water resistant for use in light rain etc but will still be thoroughly drenched if immersed in water for only a few seconds.
2. Remove the battery immediately to prevent shorts. This is the most important step and needs to be done as soon as the phone is out of the water. Much of the circuitry in your phone will survive a dunk in water provided they are not connected to power and wet.
3. Remove the SIM card. As there may be phonebook or other data stored on here it’s important to remove your sim card and pat it dry with a paper towel. Do not heat it with a hair dryer or put near a heat source to dry it out.
4. Remove any card, port and plug covers to let water escape from the phone.
5. Dry your phone. Using absorbent paper towels, remove as much water from the outside of the phone as possible while trying to avoid forcing any more inside the phone. Do not use heat such as a hairdryer to dry your phone.
6. Place your phone in a zip-lock bag of uncooked rice or desiccant such as silica for 24 hours in a warm dry (not hot) place. This will absorb moisture from the phone. Silica will work the best if you have some left from any electronic or shoe packaging. Turn it so it’s in a different position every few hours to allow the water to drain.
7. Remove your phone from the bag and stand on paper towels. Check to see if there is any moisture on the paper. If so leave to air for another 24 hours.
8. Test the Phone. Turn it on and hope for the best. If it still doesn’t work you may need to disassemble your phone.
Video: Save a Wet Cell Phone
Tips
If the steps above didn’t work you will have to take your phone apart. As your warranty probably doesn’t cover water damage you have nothing to lose by trying this tip.
- Carefully open your phones case, being careful not to damage any delicate connectors or cables.
- Using Contact cleaner designed to force water out of electronics (also known as Isopropyl Alcohol), spray the circuit boards to dissipate any remaining moisture and clean off any mineral deposits. Leave to evaporate. No need to touch or dry the circuits by hand as this is unnecessary and may contaminate the phone with bits of wet paper towel!
- Re-assemble and test your phone. If it still doesn’t work you’ve run out of DIY options; Time to consult a professional phone repairer.
Image: Flickr user husin.sani
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