How to Save a Wet Phone: 14 Steps (with Pictures)

Table of contents:

How to Save a Wet Phone: 14 Steps (with Pictures)
How to Save a Wet Phone: 14 Steps (with Pictures)
Anonim

Did you do the feat of dropping your cell phone in the water? Do not freak out. Even if it fell into the sink, toilet, or bathtub, you might still be able to save it. The most important thing is to act quickly. Take it out of the water as soon as possible, turn off the device, remove the battery and all accessories. Try to dry off as much moisture as possible with a towel and a vacuum cleaner. Then place it in a bowl of rice or other absorbent grain for 48 to 72 hours. With a little luck and speed, your cell phone can survive.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Acting Fast to Minimize Damage

Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 1
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 1

Step 1. Get the phone out of the water as soon as possible unless it is plugged in

The longer it spends in the water, the greater the damage. If the phone is submerged for a long time, it may not be possible to save it.

Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 2
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 2

Step 2. Unplug the mobile phone's power cord if it is plugged in when dropped into water

If it is plugged into the charger, unplug the cord before attempting to remove it from the water. If you take the phone out of the water with it plugged in, you may get a shock.

The safest measure is to turn off the circuit breaker first

Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 3
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 3

Step 3. Turn off your phone immediately even if it seems to work

If it stays on, a short circuit may occur. From the moment the device gets wet, assume that water has entered the internal components, even if it is still working.

Never turn on your cell phone to see if it's working

Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 4
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 4

Step 4. Take the battery out of the device and wrap it in the paper towel

After taking the phone out of the water, quickly grab a few sheets of paper towels or a soft cloth. Place your cell phone on top of them while opening the cover to take out the battery. In some cases, you may need to use a Philips key to open the device, depending on the model. However, if you have an iPhone, you need to use a special key called a pentalobe.

  • Read your mobile phone manual if you are unsure how to remove the battery.
  • This is one of the most important steps in saving the device. Several circuits are preserved after a fall into water if the phone is not connected to a power source (battery).
  • To find out if the phone has really been damaged, check the corner near the battery. There must be a square or a white circle there. If it is pink or red, the phone has been damaged by water.
  • On many iPhone models, the damage indicator is located on the side of the phone (in the SIM card tray) or on the bottom edge of the phone, near the charger and headphone jack.
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 5
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 5

Step 5. Take out the SIM card (chip)

After removing the SIM card, wrap it in a paper towel or dry cloth to dry until it is time to reconnect the phone to the network. If your device does not have a SIM card, skip this step.

All your contacts (plus other things) are stored on the SIM card. In certain cases, this data can be more valuable than the device itself

Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 6
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 6

Step 6. Disconnect all accessories

Take out the protective case, headset, memory cards, or anything else that is connected to the phone. Leave all openings on the appliance exposed so they can dry properly.

Method 2 of 2: Drying the Phone

Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 7
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 7

Step 1. Place the appliance in a bowl of rice for 48 to 72 hours

Put 1 kg of rice in a large bowl and bury the cell phone and battery in the grain. Rice sucks up any remaining moisture.

  • Change your cell phone position every hour while you are awake. In this way, water trapped in different parts finds an outlet.
  • Instant rice absorbs the most water, but you can also use plain rice, whether white or brown.
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 8
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 8

Step 2. Use a silica gel bag in place of instant rice

Place the silica gel bag together with the phone and battery in a container. Let the phone rest for 48 to 72 hours so the gel has time to absorb any remaining moisture.

  • Silica gel bags are those that come in shoeboxes, inside bags and other new products.
  • Speed is the main element when saving a wet cell phone, so prefer to use rice or another type of absorbent product if you don't have any silica packets at home.
  • No need to open packages. Simply put them in the container with your cell phone.
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 9
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 9

Step 3. Cover the phone with 1 kg of cat litter with silica crystals

If you don't have instant rice or silica gel around, be aware that hygienic cat litter is another good option. Place a layer in a bowl that is 1 or 2 liters in volume. Then put the phone open and the battery disconnected on top and pour the rest of the sand until it completely covers the phone.

  • You can find hygienic cat litter with silica crystals in most supermarkets and pet stores.
  • Do not use clay-based sands or other substances. Only sand containing silica crystals works.
  • Other items that absorb water, such as sago and instant oats, also work.
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 10
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 10

Step 4. Remove water with a vacuum cleaner

Put a fine nozzle on the vacuum hose, turn it on at the highest power and vacuum all the openings on the cell phone.

  • A vacuum and water cleaner can be very helpful at this step if you have it.
  • This is the fastest method and can leave your phone completely dry and ready to work in 30 minutes. However, unless the exposure to water has been "very quick", it is not good to turn it on in such a short time.
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 11
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 11

Step 5. Use compressed air

Choose the lowest pressure (in psi) the air compressor has. Then blow off the wet surface of the phone and the openings.

  • Another option is to use a can of compressed air.
  • Strong pressure can damage the cell phone's internal components.
  • Do not use your hair dryer to dry your phone. Hot air can damage components.
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 12
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 12

Step 6. Dry the device and battery with a soft cloth or paper towel

While you are blowing or vacuuming the appliance, wipe as much water off the surface as possible with the cloth. The priority is to dry the inside of the cell phone, but don't forget the outside as well.

Avoid shaking or shaking the phone too much so that water doesn't get in anymore

Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 13
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 13

Step 7. Another option is to leave the phone exposed outdoors or under a fan

Place the phone on a dry towel or other absorbent surface. Then, if you have a fan, position it on towards the device.

Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 14
Save a Wet Cell Phone Step 14

Step 8. Wait 48 to 72 hours before turning on the phone

First of all, make sure it's clean and dry. Wipe or vacuum dust and dirt from the device and battery. Finally, enter it into your cell phone and try to turn it on.

The longer you wait to turn on the device, the greater the chance of recovering it

Tips

Take your cell phone to service if you are unable to get it to work. Anyone who understands the subject may be able to solve the problem

Notices

  • Avoid using a heat source to dry the phone, as the high temperature can further damage the phone.
  • Do not try to unplug the phone if it is in water and your hand is wet, as you may get a shock. First, turn off the breaker.
  • Do not disassemble the device if you do not know what you are doing.

Popular by topic